All Articles

There is something inviting about the way Spider Girl (1998) 60 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 July 2003 as part of Spider Girl, with Soldiers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Serpent with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Spider Girl (1998) 60 comes from the

Soldier X (2002) 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 July 2003 as part of Soldier X, with Soldier X providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Nathan Summers with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Soldier X (2002) 11 comes from the gap betwee

Reading Sentinel (2003) 2 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 July 2003 as part of Sentinel, with Juston providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Sentinel with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Sentinel (2003) 2 comes from the

Peter Parker: Spider Man (1999) 56 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 July 2003 as part of Peter Parker: Spider Man, with Jones Beach providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Sandman with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story mom

Paradise X (2002) 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 July 2003 as part of Paradise X, with Henry Pym providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects PARADISE X with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Paradise X (

What first stands out about New Mutants (2003) 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 July 2003 as part of New Mutants, with New Mutants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Old Mutants with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when New Mut

Mystic (2000) 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 1 July 2003 as part of Mystic, with Mystic 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 plot is strongest when Mystic (2000)

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Iron Man (1998) 68 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 July 2003 as part of Iron Man, with Manhunt Part providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Tony Stark with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Iron Man (1998) 68 allows o

There is something inviting about the way Fantastic Four (1998) 69 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 July 2003 as part of Fantastic Four, with UNTHINKABLE PART providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Doctor Doom with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Fantastic Fo

Exiles (2001) 27 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 July 2003 as part of Exiles, with Avengers For Hire 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. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Exiles (2001) 27 allows on

Reading Exiles (2001) 26 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 July 2003 as part of Exiles, with Tokyo providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Exiles with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Exiles (2001) 26 allows one d

Elektra (2001) 23 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 July 2003 as part of Elektra, with Robert Rodi providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Sean Chen with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Elektra (2001)