All Articles

Reading Scarlet Spider (2011) 6 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Scarlet Spider, it places Kraven the Hunter 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. ⁠ Scarlet Spider (2011) 6 builds tension by making each apparent solution expos

Marvel Zombies Destroy (2011) 3 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 13 June 2012 as part of Marvel Zombies Destroy!, it places Dum Dum Dugan 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. ⁠ Marvel Zombies Destroy (2011) 3 builds tension by making each apparent

Incredible Hulk (2011) 9 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Incredible Hulk, it places STAY ANGRY 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 Incredible Hulk (2011) 9 comes from the gap between what STAY ANGRY wants

What first stands out about Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 4 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion, it places Covenant Continues 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 Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 4 c

Fantastic Four (1998) 607 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Fantastic Four, it places Fantastic Four 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 Fantastic Four (1998) 607 comes from the gap between what F

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Deadpool (2008) 56 understands that principle. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Deadpool, it places Merc 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 Deadpool (2008) 56 comes from the gap between what Merc wants and what the situation wil

There is something inviting about the way Conan the Barbarian (2012) 5 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 13 June 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Conan the Barbarian (2012) 5 comes from the gap b

Captain America and Bucky (2011) 632 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Captain America and Bucky, it places Hybrid Queen 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 Captain America and Bucky (2011) 632 comes from the ga

Reading Captain America (2011) 12 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Captain America, it places Witness Protection 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 Captain America (2011) 12 comes from the gap between what Witne

Avengers Vs. X Men: Versus (2011) 3 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 13 June 2012 as part of Avengers Vs. X Men: Versus, it places Black Widow 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 Avengers Vs X Men: Versus (2011) 3 comes from

Avengers Assemble (2012) 4 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Avengers Assemble, it places Mad Titan 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 Avengers Assemble (2012) 4 allows one decision to create th

What first stands out about Avengers (2010) 27 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 13 June 2012 as part of Avengers, it places Giant Man 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 Avengers (2010) 27 allows one decision to create the next problem instead o