All Articles

Reading Fear Itself: The Fearless (2011) 9 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 Fear Itself: The Fearless, it places San Francisco 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. ⁠ Fear Itself: The Fearless (2011) 9 builds tension by ma

Dark Tower: The Gunslinger The Way Station (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 15 February 2012 as part of Dark Tower: The Gunslinger The Way Station, it places Parental Advisory 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. ⁠ Dark Tower: The Gunslinger

Daredevil (2011) 9 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 Daredevil, it places Mole 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Daredevil (2011) 9 comes from the gap between what Mole Man wants and what the situa

What first stands out about Avenging Spider Man (2011) 4 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 Avenging Spider Man, it places Avenging 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 Avenging Spider Man (2011) 4 comes from t

Avengers (2010) 22 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 Avengers, it places Norman Osborn 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 (2010) 22 comes from the gap between what Norman Osborn wants and wh

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Amazing Spider Man (1999) 679.1 understands that principle. Published on 15 February 2012 as part of Amazing Spider Man, it places Morbius the Living 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 Amazing Spider Man (1999) 6791 comes from the gap between wh

There is something inviting about the way X Men (2010) 24 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 8 February 2012 as part of X Men, it places Jubilee 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 X Men (2010) 24 comes from the gap between what Jubilee wants and what the situation will realisti

Wolverine & the X Men: Alpha & Omega (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 8 February 2012 as part of Wolverine & the X Men: Alpha & Omega, it places Wolverine & the X Men: Alpha & Omega 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 Wolveri

Reading Wolverine & the X Men: Alpha & Omega (2011) 2 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 8 February 2012 as part of Wolverine & the X Men: Alpha & Omega, it places Quentin Quire 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 Wolverine & the

Wolverine & the X Men (2011) 5 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 8 February 2012 as part of Wolverine & the X Men, it places Kitty Pryde 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 Wolverine & the X Men (2011) 5 comes from th

Venom (2011) 13.1 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 8 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. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Venom (2011) 131 allows one decision to create the next problem instead of

What first stands out about ULTIMATES 2 VOL. 1: GODS AND MONSTERS (Trade Paperback) is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 8 February 2012 as part of ULTIMATES 2 VOL. 1: GODS AND MONSTERS, it places ULTIMATES 2 VOL. 1: GODS AND MONSTERS 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. ⁠ The plot i