All Articles

There is something inviting about the way The Amazing Spider Man (1963) 296 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1988 as part of The Amazing Spider Man, with Doctor Octopus providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Man with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot

The 'NAM (1986) 14 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 1988 as part of The 'Nam, with Clark providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Nam with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest when The 'NAM (1986) 14 allows one decision

Reading Strikeforce: Morituri (1986) 14 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 1988 as part of Strikeforce: Morituri, with the Morituri providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Horde with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest w

Solo Avengers (1987) 2 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 1988 as part of Solo Avengers, with Solo Avengers providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The plot is strongest w

Silver Surfer Annual (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 1 January 1988 as part of Silver Surfer Annual, with It’s Silver Surfer providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Super Skrull with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling

What first stands out about Power Pack (1984) 34 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 1988 as part of Power Pack, with Power Pack 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. ⁠ The storytelling in Power

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 134 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 1988 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with Sin Eater providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Spider Man with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and New Mutants Annual (1984) 4 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 January 1988 as part of New Mutants Annual, with New Mutants providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Evolutionary War with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in New Mutant

There is something inviting about the way Marvel Age Annual (1985) 4 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 January 1988 as part of Marvel Age Annual, with X Factor providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects New Mutants with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Marvel Age A

Justice (1986) 15 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 1988 as part of Justice, with Justice providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects the supporting cast with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Justice (1986) 15 works through accumulat

Reading Incredible Hulk (1962) 339 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 1988 as part of Incredible Hulk, with Bruce Banner providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Rick Jones with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in Inc

Fantastic Four Annual (1963) 21 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 1988 as part of Fantastic Four Annual, with High Evolutionary providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects King Black Bolt with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The