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Venom (2011) 27 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Venom, it places MINIMUM CARNAGE PART at the centre of a conflict shaped by courage and justice. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in Venom (2011) 27 comes from the gap between what MINIMUM CARNAGE PART wants a

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) 18 understands that principle. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Ultimate Comics Ultimates, it places UNITED WE STAND at the centre of a conflict shaped by identity and responsibility. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2011) 18 com

There is something inviting about the way Thor: God of Thunder (2012) 1 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Thor: God of Thunder, it places God of Thunder at the centre of a conflict shaped by truth and suspicion. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in Thor: God of Thunder (2012) 1 comes from the gap between

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith Spiral (2012) 4 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith Spiral, it places Sith at the centre of a conflict shaped by duty and courage. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith Spiral

Reading Red She Hulk (2012) 59 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Red She Hulk, it places Red She Hulk at the centre of a conflict shaped by duty and courage. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in Red She Hulk (2012) 59 comes from the gap between what Red She Hulk wants

New Avengers (2010) 33 opens the door to a distinct corner of Marvel history rather than feeling like a catalogue entry that should be admired from a distance. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of New Avengers, it places Sorcerer Supreme at the centre of a conflict shaped by fear and power. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Story momentum in New Avengers (2010) 33 comes from the gap between what Sorcerer Supr

Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers (2012) 2 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Marvel Universe Vs. the Avengers, it places Doctor Doom at the centre of a conflict shaped by courage and justice. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Marvel Universe vs The

What first stands out about Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2012) 8 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, it places Malevolent MODOK at the centre of a conflict shaped by courage and justice. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot

Gambit (2012) 5 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Gambit, it places Gambit at the centre of a conflict shaped by identity and responsibility. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Gambit (2012) 5 allows one decision to create the next problem instead o

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and First X Men (2011) 4 understands that principle. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of First X Men, it places Sabretooth's X Men at the centre of a conflict shaped by identity and responsibility. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot is strongest when First X Men (2011) 4 allows one decision to create the n

There is something inviting about the way Fantastic Four (2012) 1 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Fantastic Four, it places Marvel's First Family at the centre of a conflict shaped by discovery and technology. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Fantastic Four (2012) 1 allows one decision to

Conan the Barbarian (2012) 10 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 14 November 2012 as part of Conan the Barbarian, it places Conan the Barbarian at the centre of a conflict shaped by identity and responsibility. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Conan the Barbarian (2012) 10 allows one decisi