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MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN VOL. 7 (Trade Paperback) arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN VOL. 7, it places MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN VOL. 7 at the centre of a conflict shaped by identity and responsibility. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keepin

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Journey Into Mystery (2011) 638 understands that principle. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Journey Into Mystery, it places San Francisco 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. ⁠ Journey Into Mystery (2011) 638 builds tension by making each apparent solution e

There is something inviting about the way Hulk Smash Avengers (2012) 4 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Hulk Smash Avengers, it places Hulk Smash Avengers 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. ⁠ Hulk Smash Avengers (2012) 4 builds tension by making each apparent solution

Hulk (2008) 52 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Hulk, it places General Ross 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. ⁠ Hulk (2008) 52 builds tension by making each apparent solution expose another complication. Red Hulk changes the direction of the

Reading Fantastic Four (1998) 606 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 23 May 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. ⁠ Fantastic Four (1998) 606 builds tension by making each apparent solution e

Dorothy & the Wizard in Oz (2011) 7 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 23 May 2012 as part of Dorothy & the Wizard in Oz, it places Land of Oz 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. ⁠ Dorothy & the Wizard in Oz (2011) 7 builds tension by making each ap

Deadpool (2008) 55 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Deadpool, it places Deadpool 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) 55 comes from the gap between what Deadpool wants and what the

What first stands out about Captain America and Bucky (2011) 631 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Captain America and Bucky, it places Stegron 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) 631 comes f

AVENGERS: THE MANY FACES OF HENRY PYM (Trade Paperback) arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of AVENGERS: THE MANY FACES OF HENRY PYM, it places AVENGERS: THE MANY FACES OF HENRY PYM 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 mome

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Astonishing X Men (2004) 50 understands that principle. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Astonishing X Men, it places 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Astonishing X Men (2004) 50 comes from the gap between what X Men want

There is something inviting about the way Amazing Spider Man (1999) 686 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 23 May 2012 as part of Amazing Spider Man, it places Spider Man 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 Amazing Spider Man (1999) 686 comes from the gap between wh

X Factor (2005) 236 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 16 May 2012 as part of X Factor, it places X Factor 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 X Factor (2005) 236 comes from the gap between what X Factor wants and what the situation will realis