All Articles

There is something inviting about the way X Men/Alpha Flight (1985) 2 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1985 as part of X Men/Alpha Flight, with Alpha Flight providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects X Men with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding ever

Web of Spider Man (1985) 9 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 1985 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. ⁠ Rather than crowding

Reading Wally the Wizard (1985) 9 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 1985 as part of Wally the Wizard, with Wally the Wizard 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 th

Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1985) 3 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 1985 as part of Vision and the Scarlet Witch, with Scarlet Witch providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New Salem with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather

Uncanny X Men (1981) 200 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 1985 as part of Uncanny X Men, with THE TRIAL providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects MAGNETO with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Uncanny X Men (1981) 200 treats

What first stands out about Uncanny X Men (1963) 200 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 1985 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. ⁠ Uncanny X Men

Top Dog (1985) 5 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 1985 as part of Top Dog, with Mister Invisible 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. ⁠ Top Dog (1985) 5 treats th

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Thing (1983) 30 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 December 1985 as part of Thing, with Secret Wars II providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ben Grimm with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Thing (1983) 30 treats the central conflict as a chain of

There is something inviting about the way The Eternals (1985) 3 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1985 as part of The Eternals, with Deviants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Eternals with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The Eternals (1985) 3 treats the central conflict

The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 271 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 1985 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Spider Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Crusher Hogan with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The Amazing Spider Ma

Reading Star Wars (1977) 102 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 1985 as part of Star Wars, with Iskalon providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Kiro with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Star Wars (1977) 102 treats the central conflict as a ch

Squadron Supreme (1985) 4 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 1985 as part of Squadron Supreme, with Change of Heart providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Squadron Supreme with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Squadron Supreme (19