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Incredible Hulk Annual (1976) 7 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 December 1978 as part of Incredible Hulk Annual, with Master Mold providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Doc Samson with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Incredible Hulk A

What first stands out about What If (1977) 12 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 1 December 1978 as part of What If?, with Bruce Banner providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rick Jones with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ What If (1977) 12 builds tension by making e

Uncanny X Men (1981) 116 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 December 1978 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Sun People providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Savage Land with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Uncanny X Men (1981) 116 b

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Uncanny X Men (1963) 116 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 December 1978 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Uncanny X Men 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. ⁠ Uncanny X Men (1963)

There is something inviting about the way Thor (1966) 278 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1978 as part of Thor, with Forces of Darkness providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Asgard with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Thor (1966) 278 builds tension by making eac

The Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 36 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 December 1978 as part of The Savage Sword of Conan, with The Savage Sword of Conan 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 adventur

Reading The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 187 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 December 1978 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Indian Point providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Man with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The Amazing Spider

Star Wars (1977) 18 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 December 1978 as part of Star Wars, with Luke providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Star Wars (1977) 18 builds tension by mak

Spider Woman (1978) 9 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 1 December 1978 as part of Spider Woman, with Jerry Hunt providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Woman with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Spider Woman (1978)

What first stands out about Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) 54 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 1 December 1978 as part of Power Man and Iron Fist, with Luke Cage providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Jeryn Hogarth with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum i

Power Man (1974) 54 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 December 1978 as part of Power Man, with Power Man 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 Power Man

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 25 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 December 1978 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with Spidey providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects CARRION with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure.