All Articles

The Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 110 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 1985 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 ano

What first stands out about The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 262 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 1985 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Jake Jones with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than

Star Wars (1977) 93 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 1985 as part of Star Wars, with Leia providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Han with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Star Wars (19

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Power Pack (1984) 8 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 March 1985 as part of Power Pack, with Power Pack providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cloak with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explanation, Power

There is something inviting about the way Power Man (1974) 115 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 March 1985 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page w

New Mutants (1983) 25 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 1985 as part of New Mutants, with New Mutants 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with exp

Reading Marvel Age (1983) 24 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 1985 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding every pa

Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (1984) 5 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 March 1985 as part of Kitty Pryde and Wolverine, with Ogun 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. ⁠ Ra

Iron Man (1968) 192 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 1985 as part of Iron Man, with It's Iron Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Tony Stark with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Iron Man (1968) 192 treats the central conflict

What first stands out about Incredible Hulk (1962) 305 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 1985 as part of Incredible Hulk, with U Foes providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Doc Strange with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Incredible Hulk (1962) 305 t

Fantastic Four (1961) 276 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 1985 as part of Fantastic Four, with Sue providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Fantastic Four (1961) 276 treats the ce

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Defenders (1972) 141 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 March 1985 as part of Defenders, with Defenders 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. ⁠ Defenders (1972) 141 treats the central conf