All Articles

Star Wars: Empire (2002) 27 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 15 December 2004 as part of Star Wars: Empire, with Luke Skywalker providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rebel Alliance with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive pa

What first stands out about Spider Man: India (2004) 2 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 15 December 2004 as part of Spider Man: India, with Pavitr Prabhakar providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Uncle Bhim with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive p

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (2004) 8 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 15 December 2004 as part of Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, with Yellow Claw providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ideas with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and New Invaders (2004) 5 understands that principle. The issue was published on 15 December 2004 as part of New Invaders, with BARONESS BLOOD providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects NEW INVADERS with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in New

There is something inviting about the way Marvel Team Up (2004) 3 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 15 December 2004 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Doctor Strange 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. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Mar

Marvel Age Fantastic Four (2004) 9 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 15 December 2004 as part of Marvel Age Fantastic Four, with Fantastic Four providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects TV with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive pas

Reading Madrox (2004) 4 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 15 December 2004 as part of Madrox, with Madrox providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rahne with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Madrox (2004) 4 are the ones wh

Exiles (2001) 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 15 December 2004 as part of Exiles, with BUMP IN providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Kulan Gath with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Exiles (2001) 56

Daredevil (1998) 68 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 15 December 2004 as part of Daredevil, with GOLDEN AGE PART providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Matt Murdock with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Daredevi

What first stands out about Cable & Deadpool (2004) 10 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 15 December 2004 as part of Cable & Deadpool, with THE BURNT OFFERING providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Silver Surfer with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrat

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2004) 3 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 15 December 2004 as part of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, with Captain America providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Masters of Evil with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED: CAPTAIN AMERICA TPB (Trade Paperback) understands that principle. The issue was published on 15 December 2004 as part of Captain America & the Falcon, with Captain America And providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Collects Captain America with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply a