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Quicksilver (1997) 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 1998 as part of Quicksilver, with Arkon of Polemachus providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Fantastic Four with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Quicksilver (1997) 3 treats t

What first stands out about Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 253 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 1998 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives th

New Mutants: Truth or Death (1997) 3 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 1998 as part of New Mutants: Truth or Death, with New Mutants: Truth or Death 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 announci

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Kitty Pryde, Agent of SHIELD (1997) 2 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1998 as part of Kitty Pryde, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Kitty Pryde, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 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

There is something inviting about the way Ka Zar (1997) 9 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1998 as part of Ka Zar, with Ka Zar providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Thanos with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Ka Zar (1997) 9 treats the central conflict as a chain

Journey Into Mystery (1996) 516 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 1998 as part of Journey Into Mystery, with Deng Ling Xiao providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects White Tiger with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Journey Into Mystery (1996) 516

Reading Incredible Hulk (1962) 460 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 1998 as part of Incredible Hulk, with Bruce Banner 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. ⁠ Incredible Hulk (1962) 46

Heroes Reborn: The Return (1997) 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 January 1998 as part of Heroes Reborn the Return, with Doctor Doom providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Return with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Heroes Reb

Heroes for Hire (1997) 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 1 January 1998 as part of Heroes for Hire, with Jim Hammond providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New York with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Her

What first stands out about Fantastic Four Annual (1998) 1 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 1998 as part of Fantastic Four Annual, with Frightful Four 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. ⁠

Fantastic Four (1998) 1 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 1998 as part of Fantastic Four, with Marvel's First Family providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Fantastic Four with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Excalibur (1988) 116 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1998 as part of Excalibur, with Excalibur 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 persuasive passages in Ex