All Articles

There is something inviting about the way Doom: The Emperor Returns (2002) 1 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 2002 as part of Doom: The Emperor Returns, with Doctor Doom providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Planet Doom with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrati

Daredevil: Yellow (2001) 6 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 2002 as part of Daredevil: Yellow, with Purple 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Daredevi

Reading Daredevil (1998) 27 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 2002 as part of Daredevil, with UNDERBOSS PART providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Daredevil with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Daredevil (1998

Captain Marvel (2000) 25 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 2002 as part of Captain Marvel, with EXIT STRATEGY providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects FINAL ISSUE with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level,

Captain America (1998) 49 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 2002 as part of Captain America, with Steve Rogers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain America (199

What first stands out about Cable (1993) 99 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 2002 as part of Cable, with Shining Path 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. ⁠ Cable (1993) 99 builds tension by making eac

Bloodstone (2001) 2 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 2002 as part of Bloodstone, with Elsa Bloodstone providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Alex Ross with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Bloodstone (2001) 2 builds tension by ma

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Black Panther (1998) 38 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 2002 as part of Black Panther, with Black Panther providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Everrett K with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Black Panther (1998) 38 builds tension

There is something inviting about the way Black Panther (1998) 37 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 2002 as part of Black Panther, with Future King providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Black Panther with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Black Panther (1998) 37 builds

Avengers: Celestial Quest (2001) 3 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 2002 as part of Avengers: Celestial Quest, with Mantis providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Reptyl with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Avengers: Celestial Quest (2001) 3 bu

Reading Amazing Spider Man (1999) 37 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 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. ⁠ Ama

Alias (2001) 3 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 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. ⁠ Alias (2001) 3 builds tension by making