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Winter Soldier (2012) 2 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Winter Soldier, it places Black Widow 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, Winter Soldier (2012) 2 understands that speed and momentum are not t

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Venom (2011) 13.2 understands that principle. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Venom, it places Ghost Rider 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, Venom (2011) 132 understands that speed and momentum are not the same thing. Las Vegas

There is something inviting about the way Uncanny X Men (2011) 7 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Uncanny X Men, it places TABULA RASA PART 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 Men (2011) 7 understands that speed and momentum

Ultimate Comics X Men (2010) 7 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Ultimate Comics X Men, it places New York 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, Ultimate Comics X Men (2010) 7 understands that speed and momentum are no

Reading Thunderbolts (2006) 170 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Thunderbolts, it places King Arthur's Court 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) 170 understands that speed and mo

THE STAND: THE NIGHT HAS COME (Hardcover) 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 15 February 2012 as part of THE STAND: THE NIGHT HAS COME, it places THE STAND: THE NIGHT HAS COME 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, THE

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm (2012) 1 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm, it places Tython 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. ⁠ Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm (201

What first stands out about New Avengers (2010) 21 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of New Avengers, it places New Avengers 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. ⁠ New Avengers (2010) 21 builds tension by making each apparent solution expose another comp

Invincible Iron Man (2008) 513 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Invincible Iron Man, it places Iron Man 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. ⁠ Invincible Iron Man (2008) 513 builds tension by making each apparent solution e

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 2 understands that principle. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion, it places Mjolnir Mark V 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. ⁠ Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 2 builds tension by making e

There is something inviting about the way Generation Hope (2010) 16 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Generation Hope, it places Generation Hope 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. ⁠ Generation Hope (2010) 16 builds tension by making each apparent solution

Formic Wars: Silent Strike (2011) 3 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Formic Wars: Silent Strike, it places Ender’s Game 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. ⁠ Formic Wars: Silent Strike (2011) 3 builds tension by making each apparent solu