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There is something inviting about the way The Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 21 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 August 1977 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 anothe

The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 171 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 August 1977 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Nova with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 171 treats

Reading Star Wars (1977) 2 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 August 1977 as part of Star Wars, with New Hope providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Han Solo with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Star Wars (1977) 2 treats the central conflict as a cha

Power Man (1974) 46 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 August 1977 as part of Power Man, with Power Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Gideon Mace with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Power Man (1974) 46 treats the cent

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 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 August 1977 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with Peter's Empire State providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects University with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply

What first stands out about Master of Kung Fu (1974) 55 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 August 1977 as part of Master of Kung Fu, with Shang Chi 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. ⁠ The most persuasive p

Marvel Team Up (1972) 60 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 August 1977 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Wasp with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Marvel Tea

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Marvel Presents (1975) 12 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 August 1977 as part of Marvel Presents, with Federation Starship providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Charlie with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Ma

There is something inviting about the way Marvel Premiere (1972) 37 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 August 1977 as part of Marvel Premiere, with Marvel Premiere 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 persua

Marvel Classics Comics Series Featuring (1976) 20 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 August 1977 as part of Marvel Classics Comics Series Featuring, with Victor Frankenstein providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Gothic with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ T

Reading Kull the Destroyer (1973) 22 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 August 1977 as part of Kull the Destroyer, with Kull the Destroyer 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

Iron Man Annual (1976) 4 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 August 1977 as part of Iron Man Annual, with West Coast providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Iron Man with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Iron