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There is something inviting about the way Avengers: The Serpent Crown (Trade Paperback) establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 7 September 2005 as part of Avengers, with Squadron Supreme providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects President Nelson Rockefeller with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adven

Arana: The Heart of the Spider (2005) 8 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 7 September 2005 as part of Arana: The Heart of the Spider, with Barry Hatcher Shaffner providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Paperback Reader It with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure

Reading Amazing Fantasy (2004) 12 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 7 September 2005 as part of Amazing Fantasy, with POISON TOMORROW providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the Scorpion with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Amazing Fa

THE PULSE VOL. 2: SECRET WAR TPB (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 September 2005 as part of Pulse, with Luke Cage providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Secret War with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in

New Thunderbolts (2004) 10 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 September 2005 as part of New Thunderbolts, with PURPLE REIGN providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Have Songbird with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest

What first stands out about Livewires (2005) 6 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 September 2005 as part of Livewires, with Stem Cell providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects HERE with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Livewires (2005) 6

Exiles Vol. 10: Age of Apocalypse (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 September 2005 as part of Exiles Vol. 10: Age of Apocalypse, with X MEN providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects AGE OF APOCALYPSE with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcin

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Daredevil Vs. Punisher (2005) 2 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 September 2005 as part of Daredevil Vs. Punisher, with MEANS AND ENDS providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects David Lapham with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is stro

There is something inviting about the way Daredevil Vs. Punisher (2005) 1 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 September 2005 as part of Daredevil Vs. Punisher, with the Punisher providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects MEANS AND ENDS with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strong

Conan (2004) 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 September 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) 20 allows one

Reading X Men: The End Heroes and Martyrs (2005) 6 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 31 August 2005 as part of X Men: The End Heroes and Martyrs, with X Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Mister Sinister with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠

WHA...HUH? 1 (2005) 1 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 August 2005 as part of WHA...HUH? 1, with WHA...HUH? 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 announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strong