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There is something inviting about the way Thor (1966) 290 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1979 as part of Thor, with El Vampiro providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects El Toro Rojo with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Thor (1966) 290 comes from the gap betw

The Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 47 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 December 1979 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 another adventur

Reading The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 199 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 December 1979 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Mysterio with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story moment

Star Wars (1977) 30 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 December 1979 as part of Star Wars, with Metalorn providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Empire with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Star Wars (1977) 30 comes from t

Spider Woman (1978) 21 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 December 1979 as part of Spider Woman, with Jessica Drew providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Woman with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Spider Woman

What first stands out about Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) 60 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 December 1979 as part of Power Man and Iron Fist, with Big Apple Bomber providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Iron Fist with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot

Power Man (1974) 60 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 December 1979 as part of Power Man, with Power Man 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 P

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 37 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 December 1979 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Swarm with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure

There is something inviting about the way Master of Kung Fu (1974) 83 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1979 as part of Master of Kung Fu, with Fu Manchu 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 str

Marvel Two in One (1974) 58 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 December 1979 as part of Marvel Two in One, with Age of AQUARIAN 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

Reading Marvel Team Up (1972) 88 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 December 1979 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Marvel Team Up 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 st

Machine Man (1978) 12 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 December 1979 as part of Machine Man, with Machine Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when