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Star Wars (1977) 85 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 July 1984 as part of Star Wars, with Chewbacca providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Wookiee with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Star Wars (1977) 85 allows o

What first stands out about Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) 107 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 July 1984 as part of Power Man and Iron Fist, with Victor Kreeger providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Power Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plo

Power Man (1974) 107 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 July 1984 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 Powe

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and New Mutants (1983) 17 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 July 1984 as part of New Mutants, with New Mutants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hellions with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when New Mutants (198

There is something inviting about the way Moon Knight (1980) 38 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 July 1984 as part of Moon Knight, with Moon Knight providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Zohar with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Moon Knight (198

Marvel Team Up (1972) 143 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 July 1984 as part of Marvel Team Up, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Captain Marvel with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Marvel Team Up (1972)

Reading Marvel Fanfare (1982) 15 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 July 1984 as part of Marvel Fanfare, with Barry Windsor Smith providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Thing with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when

Marvel Age (1983) 16 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 July 1984 as part of Marvel Age, with Marvel Age 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

Iron Man (1968) 184 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 July 1984 as part of Iron Man, with Tony Stark providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Iron Man (1968) 184

What first stands out about Fantastic Four Annual (1963) 18 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 July 1984 as part of Fantastic Four Annual, with Black Bolt providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Fantastic Four with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Fa

Fantastic Four (1961) 268 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 July 1984 as part of Fantastic Four, with Baxter Building providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Johnny with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Fantasti

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Defenders (1972) 133 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 July 1984 as part of Defenders, with San Francisco providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Oliver Cutlass with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Defenders (1972) 133 works