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There is something inviting about the way Invaders (1975) 25 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 10 February 1978 as part of Invaders, with Scarlet Scarab providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Invaders (1975) 25 treats the centr

What If (1977) 7 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 February 1978 as part of What If?, with Flash Thompson providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ What If (1977) 7 treats the central conflict as a c

Reading Uncanny X Men (1981) 109 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 February 1978 as part of Uncanny X Men, with X Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Earth with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Uncanny X Men (1981) 109 treats the ce

Uncanny X Men (1963) 109 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 February 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 Me

Thor (1966) 268 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 February 1978 as part of Thor, with Damocles' Cobalt Cannon providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New York with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Thor (19

What first stands out about The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 177 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 February 1978 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New York with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasiv

Star Wars (1977) 8 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 February 1978 as part of Star Wars, with Cloud Riders providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Chewie with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Star Wars (1977) 8

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Power Man (1974) 49 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 February 1978 as part of Power Man, with Luke Cage providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Misty Knight with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Power Man (1974

There is something inviting about the way Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 15 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 February 1978 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with the Hate providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Man Beast with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another

Master of Kung Fu (1974) 61 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 February 1978 as part of Master of Kung Fu, with Shang Chi providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Skull Crusher with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Master of

Reading Marvel Team Up (1972) 66 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 February 1978 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Captain Britain providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Arcade with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Ma

Marvel Preview (1975) 13 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 February 1978 as part of Marvel Preview, with Marvel Preview 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 most p