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There is something inviting about the way Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 249 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 September 1997 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 the

Maverick (1997) 1 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 September 1997 as part of Maverick, with Maverick 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. ⁠ Maverick (1997) 1 builds tension by making eac

Reading Marvel Team Up (1997) 1 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 September 1997 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Marvel Team Up 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. ⁠ Marvel Team Up

Ka Zar (1997) 5 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 September 1997 as part of Ka Zar, with Ka Zar providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rhino with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Ka Zar (1997) 5 builds tension by making each apparent

Journey Into Mystery (1996) 512 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 September 1997 as part of Journey Into Mystery, with Journey Into Mystery providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ S

What first stands out about Iron Man (1996) 11 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 September 1997 as part of Iron Man, with Iron 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 Iron Man (1

Incredible Hulk (1962) 456 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 September 1997 as part of Incredible Hulk, with Horseman of Apocalypse providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rick Jones with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Inc

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Heroes for Hire (1997) 3 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 September 1997 as part of Heroes for Hire, with Luke Cage 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Heroes for H

There is something inviting about the way Hercules: Heart of Chaos (1997) 2 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 September 1997 as part of Hercules: Heart of Chaos, with Hercules: Heart of Chaos providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventu

Fantastic Four (1996) 11 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 September 1997 as part of Fantastic Four, with Central Park 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Fantastic Four (1996)

Reading Excalibur (1988) 112 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 September 1997 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. ⁠ Story momentum in Excalibur

Elektra (1996) 10 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 September 1997 as part of Elektra, with Daredevil 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 Elektra (1