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There is something inviting about the way Saga of the Sub Mariner (1988) 2 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1988 as part of Saga of the Sub Mariner, with Sub Mariner 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. ⁠ Th

Punisher War Journal (1988) 2 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 Punisher War Journal, with Jason Hunt providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hector Montoya with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Punisher W

Reading Power Pack (1984) 42 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 Power Pack, with the Inferno providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Power Pack with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when Power P

New Mutants (1983) 70 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 New Mutants, with New Mutants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Inferno with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when New Mutant

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 9 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 1988 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.

What first stands out about Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 8 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 1988 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

Iron Man (1968) 237 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 1988 as part of Iron Man, with Tony Stark providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Iron Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Iron Man (1968) 237

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Incredible Hulk (1962) 350 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 December 1988 as part of Incredible Hulk, with It's the Hulk providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Doctor Doom with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Incre

There is something inviting about the way Fantastic Four (1961) 321 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 December 1988 as part of Fantastic Four, with Jen Walters providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hulk with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Fantastic Four (1961) 32

Excalibur (1988) 3 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 Excalibur, with Cain Marko providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Unstoppable One with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Excalibur (1988) 3 works th

Reading Death's Head (1988) 1 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 Death's Head, with Death's Head providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Deat

Daredevil (1964) 261 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 Daredevil, with Typhoid Mary providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects If Matt with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Daredevil (1964) 261