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There is something inviting about the way Fantastic Four (1961) 313 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 April 1988 as part of Fantastic Four, with Mole Man providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ms with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages in Fantastic Four

Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn (1988) 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 1 April 1988 as part of Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn, with Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn 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

Reading Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn (1988) 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 April 1988 as part of Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn, with Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn 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 announc

Daredevil (1964) 253 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 April 1988 as part of Daredevil, with Ann Nocenti providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects John Romita Jr with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The most persuasive passages i

Conan the Barbarian (1970) 205 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 April 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. ⁠

What first stands out about Classic X Men (1986) 20 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 April 1988 as part of Classic X Men, with X Men providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Magneto with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Classic X Men (1986) 20 under

Captain America (1968) 340 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 April 1988 as part of Captain America, with the Captain providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects D Man with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Captain America

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Avengers (1963) 290 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 April 1988 as part of Avengers, with Super Adaptoid providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cosmic Cube with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Avengers (1963) 290 understan

There is something inviting about the way Alpha Flight (1983) 57 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 April 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. ⁠ At narrative level, Alpha

West Coast Avengers (1985) 30 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 March 1988 as part of West Coast Avengers, with West Coast Avengers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Super Adaptoid with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, West Coast

Reading Strange Tales (1987) 12 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 March 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. ⁠ At narrative level,

Star Brand (1986) 12 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 March 1988 as part of Star Brand, with Star Brand providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Ken Connell with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ At narrative level, Star Brand (1986) 12 un