All Articles

There is something inviting about the way Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man (1976) 159 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 20 December 1989 as part of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider Man, with ACTS OF VENGEANCE providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Cosmic Spidey with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing

New Mutants (1983) 84 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 20 December 1989 as part of New Mutants, with Boom Boom providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Hrimhari with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ The storytelling in New Mutants (1983) 84 works through accu

Reading Incredible Hulk (1962) 364 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 20 December 1989 as part of Incredible Hulk, with the Abomination 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 Incredible Hulk

Web of Spider Man (1985) 59 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 15 December 1989 as part of Web of Spider Man, with ACTS OF VENGEANCE 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 stor

The Punisher (1987) 28 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 15 December 1989 as part of The Punisher, with Doctor Doom providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Latveria with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every pag

What first stands out about Sensational She Hulk (1989) 10 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 15 December 1989 as part of Sensational She Hulk, with Sensational She Hulk 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 advent

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD (1989) 6 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 15 December 1989 as part of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Nick Fury providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Death's Head Commandos with questions of loyalty and belonging. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adve

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) 9 understands that principle. The issue was published on 15 December 1989 as part of Marc Spector: Moon Knight, with Moon Knight 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. ⁠ Rather than

There is something inviting about the way Fantastic Four (1961) 335 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 15 December 1989 as part of Fantastic Four, with Washington DC providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Congress with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page wi

Captain America (1968) 365 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 15 December 1989 as part of Captain America, with Red Skull providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Captain America with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with explana

Reading Avengers (1963) 312 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 15 December 1989 as part of Avengers, with Freedom Force providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Avengers Park with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with expla

Wolverine (1988) 19 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 14 December 1989 as part of Wolverine, with Tierra Verde providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects La Bandera with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Rather than crowding every page with e