All Articles

There is something inviting about the way Conan (2004) 13 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 February 2005 as part of Conan, with Conan 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 Conan (2004) 13

Black Widow (2004) 4 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 February 2005 as part of Black Widow, with Red Room providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Moscow with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Black Widow (2004) 4 allows on

Reading Alpha Flight (2004) 10 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 February 2005 as part of Alpha Flight, with DAYS OF FUTURE providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects PAST PARTICIPLE with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest whe

X 23 (2005) 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 26 January 2005 as part of X 23, with Wolverine 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 X 23 (200

Uncanny X Men (1963) 454 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 26 January 2005 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. ⁠ The storytellin

What first stands out about Ultimate Fantastic Four (2003) 15 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 26 January 2005 as part of Ultimate Fantastic Four, with N ZONE PART 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. ⁠ Th

Spectacular Spider Man (2003) 24 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 26 January 2005 as part of Spectacular Spider Man, with Sins Remembered providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Sins Past with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The st

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and New X Men (2004) 9 understands that principle. The issue was published on 26 January 2005 as part of New X Men, with Xavier Institute providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the New with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in New X Men (2004) 9 w

There is something inviting about the way Mystique (2003) 23 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 26 January 2005 as part of Mystique, with Professor Xavier providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects X Men with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Mystique (2003) 23 w

Marvel Visionaries: Stan Lee (Hardcover) 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 26 January 2005 as part of Daredevil, with AMAZING SPIDER MAN providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in M

Reading Combat Zone: True Tales of Gi's in Iraq (2005) 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 26 January 2005 as part of Combat Zone: True Tales of Gi's in Iraq, with Karl Zinsmeister providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Dan Jurgens with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing ano

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2004) 6 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 26 January 2005 as part of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, with Count Nefaria providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Jarvis with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure