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Venom (2011) 16 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Venom, it places Fly 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Venom (2011) 16 understands that speed and momentum are not the same thing. Venom chan

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Uncanny X Force (2010) 24 understands that principle. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Uncanny X Force, it places X Force 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Uncanny X Force (2010) 24 understands that speed and momentum are no

There is something inviting about the way Thunderbolts (2006) 173 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Thunderbolts, it places Bolts 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Thunderbolts (2006) 173 understands that speed and momentum are not the

The Punisher (2011) 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 18 April 2012 as part of The Punisher, it places Omega Effect 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. ⁠ At narrative level, The Punisher (2011) 10 understands that speed and momentum are not the same thing. Par

Reading Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm (2012) 3 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm, it places Force'on'Tython'has 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Star Wars: Dawn

New Mutants (2009) 41 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 18 April 2012 as part of New Mutants, it places New Mutants 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. ⁠ At narrative level, New Mutants (2009) 41 understands that speed and momentum are not the same

John Carter: The Gods of Mars (2012) 2 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of John Carter: The Gods of Mars, it places John Carter: The Gods of Mars 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. ⁠ John Carter: The Gods of Mars (20

What first stands out about John Carter: The Gods of Mars (2011) 2 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of John Carter: The Gods of Mars, it places John Carter 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. ⁠ John Carter: The Gods of Mars (2011) 2 builds tension by making

Invincible Iron Man (2008) 515 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Invincible Iron Man, it places Tony Stark 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. ⁠ Invincible Iron Man (2008) 515 builds tension by making each apparent solution

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Incredible Hulk (2011) 7 understands that principle. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Incredible Hulk, it places It's Hulk 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. ⁠ Incredible Hulk (2011) 7 builds tension by making each apparent solution expose another

There is something inviting about the way Defenders (2011) 5 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Defenders, it places Captain Nemo 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. ⁠ Defenders (2011) 5 builds tension by making each apparent solution expose another complication. Nerei

Avengers Vs. X Men (2012) 2 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 18 April 2012 as part of Avengers Vs. X Men, it places Shot Is Fired 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. ⁠ Avengers Vs X Men (2012) 2 builds tension by making each apparent solution expose another comp