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Alpha Flight (1983) 32 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 1986 as part of Alpha Flight, with Alpha Flight 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

What first stands out about West Coast Avengers (1985) 5 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 1986 as part of West Coast Avengers, with Jack Russell providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects AKA the Werewolf with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is str

Thor (1966) 364 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 February 1986 as part of Thor, with Thor 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 plot is strongest when Thor (1966) 364 allows on

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and New Mutants (1983) 36 understands that principle. The issue was published on 10 February 1986 as part of New Mutants, with Secret Wars II providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Illyana Rasputin with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when New Mutants

There is something inviting about the way Doctor Strange (1974) 75 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 10 February 1986 as part of Doctor Strange, with Doctor Strange providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Fantastic Four with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is stronges

X Factor (1986) 1 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 February 1986 as part of X Factor, with X Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Professor Xavier with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when X Factor (1986) 1 allows o

Reading Web of Spider Man (1985) 11 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 February 1986 as part of Web of Spider Man, with Web of Spider 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 p

Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1985) 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 February 1986 as part of Vision and the Scarlet Witch, with of Wanda providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Land with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is stron

Uncanny X Men (1981) 202 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 February 1986 as part of Uncanny X Men, with SECRET WARS providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Phoenix with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Uncanny X Men (1981)

What first stands out about Uncanny X Men (1963) 202 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 February 1986 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 storytelli

Top Dog (1985) 6 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 February 1986 as part of Top Dog, with Top Dog 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 storytelling in Top Dog (1985)

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Thing (1983) 32 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 February 1986 as part of Thing, with Thing 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 storytelling in Thing (1983) 32 works thro