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There is something inviting about the way Conan the Barbarian (1970) 122 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 May 1981 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. ⁠ Conan

Captain America (1968) 257 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 May 1981 as part of Captain America, with Captain America providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Bruce Banner with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain America (1968) 257 treats th

Reading Bizarre Adventures (1981) 26 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 May 1981 as part of Bizarre Adventures, with Bizarre 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. ⁠ Bizarre Adventures

Avengers (1963) 207 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 May 1981 as part of Avengers, with Wonder Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Shadow Lord with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Avengers (1963) 207 treats the central conflic

Savage She Hulk (1980) 15 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 April 1981 as part of Savage She Hulk, with Savage She Hulk providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive pas

What first stands out about Fantastic Four (1961) 229 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 April 1981 as part of Fantastic Four, with Fantastic Four 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 pers

Defenders (1972) 94 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 10 April 1981 as part of Defenders, with Patsy Walker providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Gargoyle with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Defenders (1972) 94

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and What If (1977) 26 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 April 1981 as part of What If?, with Man Thing providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ted Sallis with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in What If (1977) 26 are the ones

There is something inviting about the way Uncanny X Men (1981) 144 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 April 1981 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Man Thing providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects D'Spayre with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Unca

Uncanny X Men (1963) 144 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 April 1981 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 most persuasive passages in U

Reading Thor (1966) 306 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 April 1981 as part of Thor, with Air Walker providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Thor with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Thor (1966) 306 are the

The Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 63 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 April 1981 as part of The Savage Sword of Conan, with The Savage Sword of 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 a