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There is something inviting about the way Silver Surfer Annual (1988) 2 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1989 as part of Silver Surfer Annual, with Silver Surfer providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Serpent Crown with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than c

Silver Surfer (1987) 19 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 January 1989 as part of Silver Surfer, with Silver Surfer 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

Reading Saga of the Sub Mariner (1988) 3 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 January 1989 as part of Saga of the Sub Mariner, with New York providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Recounting the Sub with questions of truth and suspicion. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than c

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man Annual (1979) 9 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 January 1989 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man Annual, with Serpent Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyo

New Mutants Annual (1984) 5 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 January 1989 as part of New Mutants Annual, with Chapter IX providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Atlantis Attacks with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ New Mutants An

What first stands out about New Mutants (1983) 71 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 January 1989 as part of New Mutants, with New Mutants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Limbo with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ New Mutants (1983) 71 treats the central conflict

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 11 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 January 1989 as part of Marvel Comics Presents, with Marvel Presents 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.

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 10 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1989 as part of Marvel Comics Presents, with Marvel Presents 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. ⁠ Mar

There is something inviting about the way Iron Man Annual (1976) 10 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1989 as part of Iron Man Annual, with ATLANTIS ATTACKS providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Tony Stark with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Iron Man Annual (1976) 10 trea

Iron Man (1968) 238 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 January 1989 as part of Iron Man, with Donald Gill providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Steve Rogers with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Iron Man (1968) 238 treats the central conflict as

Reading Incredible Hulk (1962) 351 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 January 1989 as part of Incredible Hulk, with Evolutionary War providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Las Vegas with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Incredible Hulk (1962) 351 trea

Fantastic Four Annual (1963) 22 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 January 1989 as part of Fantastic Four Annual, with Atlantis Attacks 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. ⁠