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There is something inviting about the way Amazing Spider Man Annual (1964) 23 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1989 as part of Amazing Spider Man Annual, with Peter Parker providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Daily Bugle with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At na

Alpha Flight (1983) 66 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 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Alpha Flight (1

Reading West Coast Avengers (1985) 39 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 December 1988 as part of West Coast Avengers, with THE SWORDSMAN LIVES providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects AGAINST the Avengers with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At na

Speedball (1988) 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 10 December 1988 as part of Speedball, with Speedball providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Springdale High School with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Sp

Silver Surfer (1988) 1 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 December 1988 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. ⁠ Silver Surfer (1

What first stands out about Psi Force (1986) 26 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 December 1988 as part of Psi Force, with Psi Force 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. ⁠ Psi Force (1986) 26 builds

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 145 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 December 1988 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with West Coast providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Wolf Brothers with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing a

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Marvel Fanfare (1982) 41 understands that principle. The issue was published on 10 December 1988 as part of Marvel Fanfare, with Marvel Fanfare 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. ⁠ Marvel Fanfare (19

There is something inviting about the way DP7 (1986) 26 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 10 December 1988 as part of D.P.7, with D.P.7 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. ⁠ DP7 (1986) 26 builds tension by making each

X Terminators (1988) 3 | Published 1 December 1988 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 1988 as part of X Terminators, with X Terminators 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. ⁠ X Te

Reading X Factor (1986) 35 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 1988 as part of X Factor, with Jean Grey 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. ⁠ X Factor (1986) 35 builds tension by making

Wolverine (1988) 2 | Published 1 December 1988 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 1988 as part of Wolverine, with Is Wolverine providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Silver Samurai with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Wolverin