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A Next (1998) 11 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 1999 as part of A Next, with A Next 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 A Next (1998) 11 comes from t

What first stands out about Star Wars: Episode I Queen Amidala (1999) 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 28 July 1999 as part of Star Wars: Episode I Queen Amidala, with Queen'Amidala providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Naboo with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ St

Star Wars (1998) 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 28 July 1999 as part of Star Wars, with Jabba the Hutt providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ki Adi Mundi with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Star Wars (1998) 8 comes fr

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Star Wars Handbook 2: Crimson Empire (1998) 2 understands that principle. The issue was published on 21 July 1999 as part of Star Wars Handbook 2: Crimson Empire, with Kir Kanos providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Imperial Royal Guardsman with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adv

There is something inviting about the way Wolverine (1988) 140 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 10 July 1999 as part of Wolverine, with X Man Nightcrawler 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 in Wolverine (1988) 1

J2 (1998) 10 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 10 July 1999 as part of J2, with J2 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 J2 (1998) 10 comes from the gap between what J2 w

Reading Deadpool (1997) 30 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 10 July 1999 as part of Deadpool, with Hell House providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects T Ray with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Deadpool (1997) 30 comes from

Black Widow (1999) 2 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 10 July 1999 as part of Black Widow, with Black Widow providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Doctor Didier Ines with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Black

Avengers Forever (1998) 8 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 10 July 1999 as part of Avengers Forever, with Avengers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest

What first stands out about Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi Manga (1999) 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 7 July 1999 as part of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi Manga, with Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi Manga 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 simp

X Men (1991) 90 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 July 1999 as part of X Men, with Magneto Rex providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Genosha with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when X Men (1991) 90 allows

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and X Man (1995) 53 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 July 1999 as part of X Man, with Apocalypse providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Alaskan with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when X Man (1995) 53 allows one decision to cr