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John Carter: A Princess of Mars (2011) 5 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 January 2012 as part of John Carter: A Princess of Mars, it places John Carter: A Princess 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. ⁠ The storytelling in John

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and John Carter of Mars: A Princess of Mars (2011) 5 understands that principle. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of John Carter of Mars: A Princess of Mars, it places John Carter 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. ⁠ The storytelling in John Carter of

There is something inviting about the way Invincible Iron Man (2008) 512 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Invincible Iron Man, it places Bethany Cabe 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 storytelling in Invincible Iron Man (2008) 512 works through accumulation

Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 1 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 January 2012 as part of Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion, it places Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion 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. ⁠ The storytelling in Halo: Fall of Reach Invasion (2010) 1 wo

Reading Ghost Rider (2011) 8 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Ghost Rider, it places GUEST STARRING HAWKEYE 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. ⁠ The storytelling in Ghost Rider (2011) 8 works through accumulation, adding on

Generation Hope (2010) 15 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 January 2012 as part of Generation Hope, it places Sebastian Shaw at the centre of a conflict shaped by affection and trust. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ The storytelling in Generation Hope (2010) 15 works through accumulation, addi

Fear Itself: The Fearless (2011) 7 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Fear Itself: The Fearless, it places It's Wolverine 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Fear Itself: Th

What first stands out about Defenders: Tournament of Heroes (2011) 1 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Defenders: Tournament of Heroes, it places Dollar Bill 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, De

Deadpool Max 2 (2011) 4 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 January 2012 as part of Deadpool Max 2, it places AGENT X at the centre of a conflict shaped by loyalty and belonging. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Deadpool Max 2 (2011) 4 lets the stakes

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Daredevil (2011) 8 understands that principle. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Daredevil, it places AMAZING SPIDER MAN at the centre of a conflict shaped by affection and trust. The opening explains enough to welcome a new reader while keeping the emotional pressure clear. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Daredevil (2011) 8 lets the stakes emerge thro

There is something inviting about the way Conan: Road of Kings (2010) 12 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. Published on 18 January 2012 as part of Conan: Road of Kings, it places Conan: Road of Kings 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Conan: Roa

Avenging Spider Man (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 18 January 2012 as part of Avenging Spider Man, it places Red Hulk 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Avenging Spider Man (2011) 3 lets the stakes eme