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Howard the Duck Annual (1977) 1 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 January 1977 as part of Howard the Duck Annual, with Howard the Duck providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Roxxon Oil with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Howard the Duck An

What first stands out about Howard the Duck (1976) 8 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 January 1977 as part of Howard the Duck, with Presidential providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Beverly with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Howard the Duck (1976) 8 builds tensi

Fantastic Four (1961) 178 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 January 1977 as part of Fantastic Four, with Negative Zone providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Reed Richards with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Fantastic Four (1961

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Eternals Annual (1977) 1 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1977 as part of Eternals Annual, with Jack the Ripper providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Attila the Hun with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Eternals Annual (1977) 1 builds te

There is something inviting about the way Eternals (1976) 7 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1977 as part of Eternals, with Andes Mountains providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Celestials with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Eternals (1976) 7 builds tension by ma

Defenders (1972) 43 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 January 1977 as part of Defenders, with Cobalt Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New York Harbor with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Defenders (1972) 43 builds tension by making each appar

Reading Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (1974) 32 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 January 1977 as part of Deadly Hands of Kung Fu, with Deadly Hands of Kung Fu 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 a

Conan the Barbarian (1970) 70 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 January 1977 as part of Conan the Barbarian, with Conan the Barbarian 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

Conan Annual (1973) 3 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 January 1977 as part of Conan Annual, with 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 adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Conan Annu

What first stands out about Champions (1975) 10 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 January 1977 as part of Champions, with Russians providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ivan with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Champions (1975) 10 comes from the ga

Captain Britain (1976) 13 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 January 1977 as part of Captain Britain, with Captain Britain Vol providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Chris Claremont with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momen

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Captain America Annual (1971) 4 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1977 as part of Captain America Annual, with Captain America providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Magneto with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum i