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There is something inviting about the way Captain America (1968) #148 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 April 1972 as part of Captain America, with Battling the Kingpin providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Las Vegas with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Captain Amer

Avengers (1963) #98 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. The issue was published on 1 April 1972 as part of Avengers, with Avengers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Avenger with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Avengers (1963) #98 comes from the gap between what A

Reading Astonishing Tales (1970) #11 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. The issue was published on 1 April 1972 as part of Astonishing Tales, with Ka Zar providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects FINALLY REVEALED with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Ast

Two Gun Kid (1948) #103 opens the door to a distinct corner of Marvel history rather than feeling like a catalogue entry that should be admired from a distance. The issue was published on 10 March 1972 as part of Two Gun Kid, with Two Gun Kid providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in T

Daredevil (1964) #85 provides an enjoyable reminder that Marvel history is built from individual issues with their own rhythms, risks and small surprises. The issue was published on 10 March 1972 as part of Daredevil, with Man Without Fear providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Gladiator with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Daredevil (1964)

What first stands out about Avengers (1963) #97 is not its age or collectable status, but the directness with which it asks the reader to enter the story. The issue was published on 10 March 1972 as part of Avengers, with Rick Jones providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Negative Zone with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Avengers (1963)

Thor (1966) #197 arrives with the confidence of a comic that knows spectacle matters most when the people inside it have something meaningful to lose. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of Thor, with Warriors Three providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Thor with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Thor (1966) #197 allows one decis

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and The Amazing Spider Man (1963) #106 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spencer Smyth providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Peter Parker with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is

There is something inviting about the way Sub Mariner (1968) #47 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of Sub Mariner, with Doctor Doom providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cosmic Cube with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Sub Mari

Sgt Fury (1963) #96 is the kind of issue that makes an old publication date feel less important than the energy waiting on the first page. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of Sgt. Fury, with Sgt. Fury providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Sgt Fury (1963) #96

Reading Rawhide Kid (1955) #97 as part of Marvel's wider catalogue reveals an issue with a clear personality and a surprisingly immediate sense of purpose. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of Rawhide Kid, with Rawhide Kid providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest whe

Marvel Team Up (1972) #1 opens the door to a distinct corner of Marvel history rather than feeling like a catalogue entry that should be admired from a distance. The issue was published on 1 March 1972 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Human Torch with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest whe