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Captain America: Dead Man Running (2002) 2 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 27 February 2002 as part of Captain America: Dead Man Running, with Captain America: Dead Man Running 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 be

What first stands out about Star Wars (1998) 39 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 20 February 2002 as part of Star Wars, with Quinlan Vos providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Stark Collective with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Star Wars (1998) 39 treats the central

Hulk (1999) 37 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 20 February 2002 as part of Hulk, with Hulk 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. ⁠ Hulk (1999) 37 treats the central conflict

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Star Wars: Starfighter Crossbones (2002) 2 understands that principle. The issue was published on 13 February 2002 as part of Star Wars: Starfighter Crossbones, with Sol Sixxa providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Trade Federation with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠

There is something inviting about the way New X Men (2001) 122 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 13 February 2002 as part of New X Men, with Charles Xavier providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cassandra Nova with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ New X Men (2001) 122 treats the central

Thor (1998) 44 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 February 2002 as part of Thor, with NUFF SAID 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. ⁠ Thor (1998) 44 treats the central conflict as a chai

Reading Exiles (2001) 7 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 February 2002 as part of Exiles, with Inn providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Earth with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Exiles (2001) 7 treats the central conflict as a chain

Uncanny X Men (1963) 402 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 6 February 2002 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Uncanny X Men 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. ⁠ Uncanny X Me

Ultimate Spider Man (2000) 18 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 6 February 2002 as part of Ultimate Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects DOUBLE TROUBLE PART with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The mos

What first stands out about Avengers (1998) 50 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 6 February 2002 as part of Avengers, with Captain America providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Triune Understanding with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passa

Amazing Spider Man (1999) 38 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 2 February 2002 as part of Amazing Spider Man, with Amazing Spider 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. ⁠ T

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Alias (2001) 4 understands that principle. The issue was published on 2 February 2002 as part of Alias, with Alias 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 Alias (2001) 4