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There is something inviting about the way Alpha Flight (1983) 28 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 November 1985 as part of Alpha Flight, with SECRET WARS providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Alpha Flight with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Alpha Flight (1983) 28 treats the central

West Coast Avengers (1985) 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 10 October 1985 as part of West Coast Avengers, with Wonder Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Iron Man with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ West Coast Avengers (1985) 1 treats the ce

Reading Thor (1966) 360 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 10 October 1985 as part of Thor, with Balder providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Executioner with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Thor (1966) 360 treats the central conflict as a

Doctor Strange (1974) 73 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 10 October 1985 as part of Doctor Strange, with Dark Dimension providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Umar with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Doctor Strange (1974) 73 treats the

Alpha Flight (1983) 27 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 10 October 1985 as part of Alpha Flight, with DARK GUARDIAN RISES providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Snowbird with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in

What first stands out about Web of Spider Man (1985) 7 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 October 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. ⁠ The m

Wally the Wizard (1985) 7 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 October 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. ⁠ The most

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1985) 1 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 October 1985 as part of Vision and the Scarlet Witch, with Steve Englehart providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Richard Howell with questions of affection and trust. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The m

There is something inviting about the way Uncanny X Men (1981) 198 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 October 1985 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Storm 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 most persuasive passage

Uncanny X Men (1963) 198 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 October 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. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in

Reading Top Dog (1985) 4 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 October 1985 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 most persuasive passages in Top D

Thing (1983) 28 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 October 1985 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 most persuasive passages in Thing