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There is something inviting about the way Incredible Hulk (1962) 346 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 August 1988 as part of Incredible Hulk, with Clay Quartermain providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rick Jones with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Incredible Hu

Fantastic Four (1961) 317 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 August 1988 as part of Fantastic Four, with Fantastic Four providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Things with questions of discovery and technology. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Fantastic Four (1961) 317

Reading Daredevil (1964) 257 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 August 1988 as part of Daredevil, with Man Without Fear providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Punisher with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Daredevil (196

Conan the Barbarian (1970) 209 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 August 1988 as part of Conan the Barbarian, with Conan the Barbarian 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

Classic X Men (1986) 24 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 August 1988 as part of Classic X Men, with the X providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Men with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Classic X Men (1986) 24 builds tension by

What first stands out about Captain America (1968) 344 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 August 1988 as part of Captain America, with Serpent Society providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Captain America with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain America (1968)

Black Panther (1988) 2 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 August 1988 as part of Black Panther, with Black Panther providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Supremacists with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Black Panther (1988) 2 bui

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Avengers (1963) 294 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 August 1988 as part of Avengers, with Ebony Blade providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Black Knight with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Avengers (1963) 294 builds tension by making each app

There is something inviting about the way Alpha Flight (1983) 61 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 August 1988 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. ⁠ Alpha Flight (1983) 61 b

West Coast Avengers (1985) 34 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 July 1988 as part of West Coast Avengers, with the West providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Coast Avengers with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ West Coast Avengers (1985) 34 builds t

Reading Strange Tales (1987) 16 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 July 1988 as part of Strange Tales, with Strange Tales 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. ⁠ Strange Tales (1987)

Star Brand (1986) 14 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 July 1988 as part of Star Brand, with Star Child providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ken's Star Brand with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Star Brand (1986) 14 builds