All Articles

There is something inviting about the way MARVEL ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL. 4: SPIDER MAN (Hardcover) establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 2004 as part of MARVEL ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL. 4: SPIDER MAN, with MARVEL ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL. 4: 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

Fantastic Four (1998) 506 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 2004 as part of Fantastic Four, with AUTHORITATIVE ACTION providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Reed Richards with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with expl

Reading Exiles (2001) 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 2004 as part of Exiles, with FANTASTIC VOYAGE providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects FANTASTIC FOUR with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page wi

ESSENTIAL PUNISHER VOL. 1 (Trade Paperback) 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 2004 as part of ESSENTIAL PUNISHER VOL. 1, with ESSENTIAL PUNISHER VOL. 1 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 an

Emma Frost (2003) 5 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 2004 as part of Emma Frost, with HIGHER LEARNING providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Frost Family with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Emma Frost (2003) 5 treats the cent

What first stands out about Elektra (2001) 29 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 2004 as part of Elektra, with Southeast Asia providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Elektra with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Elektra (2001) 29 treats the central co

Daredevil Vs. Bullseye Vol. 1 (Trade Paperback) 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 2004 as part of Daredevil, with Man Without Fear providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Collects DAREDEVIL with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Darede

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Daredevil (1998) 54 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 2004 as part of Daredevil, with ECHO PART providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects X Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Daredevil (1998) 54 treats the central conflict a

There is something inviting about the way Captain Marvel (2002) 16 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 2004 as part of Captain Marvel, with Shi'ar providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Kree with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain Marvel (2002) 16 treats the cent

Captain America (2002) 20 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 2004 as part of Captain America, with CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVES providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Red Skull with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain America (2002) 20 treats the cent

Reading Avengers (1998) 74 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 2004 as part of Avengers, with SEARCH FOR SHE providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the Avengers with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Avengers (1998) 74 treats the central conf

Wolverine: The End (2003) 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 31 December 2003 as part of Wolverine: The End, with Wolverine: The End 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.