All Articles

Iron Man (1968) 156 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 March 1982 as part of Iron Man, with Ant Man Scott providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cord Conglomerate with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Iron Man (1968) 156 treats the central co

What first stands out about Fantastic Four (1961) 240 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 March 1982 as part of Fantastic Four, with Fantastic Four providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Inhuman Royal Family with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Fantastic Four (1961) 24

Dazzler (1981) 13 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 March 1982 as part of Dazzler, with Alison Blaire providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Paul Jansen with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Dazzler (1981) 13 treats the central conflict a

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Daredevil (1964) 180 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 March 1982 as part of Daredevil, with Using Ben Urich providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Daredevil with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Daredevil (1964) 180 treats the central

There is something inviting about the way Conan the Barbarian (1970) 132 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 March 1982 as part of Conan the Barbarian, with Conan the Barbarian 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. ⁠ Con

Captain America (1968) 267 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 March 1982 as part of Captain America, with Captain America providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects American Dream with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain America (1968) 267 treat

Reading Avengers (1963) 217 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 March 1982 as part of Avengers, with Janet Van Dyne providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hank Pym with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Avengers (1963) 217 treats the central conflict

Savage She Hulk (1980) 25 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 10 February 1982 as part of Savage She Hulk, with Shade 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. ⁠ Savage She Hulk

Ghost Rider (1973) 65 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 10 February 1982 as part of Ghost Rider, with Ghost Rider 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 most persuasive p

What first stands out about Defenders (1972) 104 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 10 February 1982 as part of Defenders, with Devil Slayer providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ian Fate with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Defenders

The Death of Captain Marvel (1982) 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 3 February 1982 as part of The Death of Captain Marvel, with Captain Marvel providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Mar with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The mo

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and What If (1977) 31 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 February 1982 as part of What If?, with X Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hulk with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in What If (1977) 31 are the ones w