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Hero for Hire (1972) #13 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 September 1973 as part of Hero for Hire, with Hero for Hire 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. ⁠ Hero for Hire (1972) #

What first stands out about Frankenstein (1973) #5 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 September 1973 as part of Frankenstein, with Monster providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Scandinavia with questions of fear and power. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Frankenstein (1973) #5 builds tension by ma

Fantastic Four (1961) #138 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 September 1973 as part of Fantastic Four, with Wyatt Wingfoot providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Miracle Man with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Fantastic Four (1961) #138 bu

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Defenders (1972) #8 understands that principle. The issue was published on 1 September 1973 as part of Defenders, with Black Knight providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Evil Eye with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Defenders (1972) #8 builds tension by making each

There is something inviting about the way Daredevil (1964) #103 establishes its world, its conflict and its emotional temperature with very little fuss. The issue was published on 1 September 1973 as part of Daredevil, with San Francisco providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Black Widow with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Daredevil (1964) #103 builds ten

Conan the Barbarian (1970) #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 1 September 1973 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. ⁠ Conan the B

Reading Captain Marvel (1968) #28 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 September 1973 as part of Captain Marvel, with Avengers Mansion providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Mad Titan with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain Marvel (1968) #28 bu

Captain America (1968) #165 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 September 1973 as part of Captain America, with Deadly Nightshade providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Star Spangled Avengers with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Captain

Avengers (1963) #115 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 September 1973 as part of Avengers, with Black Knight providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Great Britain with questions of courage and justice. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Avengers (1963) #115

What first stands out about Amazing Adventures (1970) #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 September 1973 as part of Amazing Adventures, with Worlds providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects Martian with questions of duty and courage. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Amazing Adventu

Adventure Into Fear (1970) #16 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 September 1973 as part of Adventure Into Fear, with Man Thing providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects FA with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Adven

A strong comic issue should offer a reason to care before the machinery of the plot takes over, and Uncanny X Men (1981) #83 understands that principle. The issue was published on 10 August 1973 as part of Uncanny X Men, with Reprint of Uncanny providing the clearest point of entry. Its premise connects X Men with questions of identity and responsibility. That combination gives the opening a purpose beyond simply announcing another adventure. ⁠ Story momentum in Uncanny X Men