JEMAS ANNOUNCES NEW MARVEL HANDBOOK

[Eric J. Moreels]

{Originally posted at X-Fan v3.1 on January 19, 2002}

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ohotmume36.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/ohotmume36t.jpg" align=left alt="Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe Master Edition #36"></a>It seems that the on again/off again status of a new edition of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is on again once more, according to Marvel Comics President and COO Bill Jemas.

Whilst responding to questions in the "Don't Ask" column at the Grayhaven Magazine (http://www.newcomicreviews.com/columns/1/BillJemas/) Web site, Jemas answered a question on a new OHOTMU with the news that X-Men Unlimited editor David Bogart is already at work on just such a project.

"A Marvel Universe Handbook is a great idea and our newly hired Managing Editor, David Bogart is hard at work on the project even as we speak," Jemas responded. "We should be able to get an encyclopedia done this year and a far more complete handbook next year."

Stay tuned to X-Fan for more news on this project as it develops.

[daedsiluap]

Right on!

Spend years on this. Don't drop the ball. Make it a yellow pages book size.

That is all.

[Blink]

I think there's been 2 versions of the Offical Handbook of the Marvel Universe. There's the original one that was 10-12 volumes (the last 2-3 volumes being the Book of the Dead), then in the mid-to-late 1980s there was an updated version of the Handbook (at least that's what I remember seeing in Marvel Editor Ralph Macchio's resource drawer).

I'll just be happy to see some of the bios I wrote up & updated in print, besides on the web.

[Eric J. Moreels]

Originally posted by Blink
I think there's been 2 versions of the Offical Handbook of the Marvel Universe. There's the original one that was 10-12 volumes (the last 2-3 volumes being the Book of the Dead), then in the mid-to-late 1980s there was an updated version of the Handbook (at least that's what I remember seeing in Marvel Editor Ralph Macchio's resource drawer).

Actually there's been four OHOTMU's - the original series, the Deluxe Edition, the '89 Update series, and the loose-leaf Master Edition.

I'll just be happy to see some of the bios I wrote up & updated in print, besides on the web.

Speaking of which, are you still working there, Shoshana?

[Tan K.]

did he mention what kind of format it was going to be? I really didn't like the looseleaf format. Actually, I didn't like back, side, and front drawings. I really liked the action poses done by individual artists. I hope the histories ad powers will be fully detailed unlike the looseleaf format as well.

[Blink]

Originally posted by X-Fan

Speaking of which, are you still working there, Shoshana?

Nope. I left last year.

Originally posted by pro

did he mention what kind of format it was going to be?


Last I heard Jemas didn't like the looseleaf version either, so expect something in a book format.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Yes! Another Marvel Handbook in the works! You can probably tell I'm excited. It's about time Marvel gave another definitive reference to their characters!

[Blink]

Originally posted by xtremexman


I strongly believe something like this has been needed since June 2001, what with the revamp of the X Men and all.

You're correct, xtremexman. A Marvel encyclopedia/new Handbook has been talked about since May/June 2001.

[Monolith]

All I can say is it's ABOUT FRICKIN' TIME. The last update worth anything was 13 years ago. Here's hoping they actually provide text instead of stats this time out.

[KidX]

It has been to long since Marvel has realeased a Marvel Handbook! Great news!

[Monolith]

Pictures would be nice, but don't you think a CHAPTER would be too much for all the current characters? I'd think two to three pages would be enough for even the oldest characters. Some people have just been around too long for a detailed account of their lives.

[Monolith]

Maybe with A LOT of pictures taking up room. But keep in mind that even the older Handbooks had one page entries for less important characters. Just as the number of important characters has increased over the last few years, so has the number of lesser characters increased as well. Marvel is going to have to dump a lot of characters just to keep it below 20 volumes(including a Book of the Dead), and they'll want to keep it at a reasonable number of issues so people don't get tired.

Of course, all this is assumed they're printing comics, not burning a CD version. If the latter, I say make the important characters the size of www.uncannyxmen.net spotlights. :)

[BlueKing]

Maybe instead of a handbook, it should come out as more of an encyclopedia format. I'd love to have something like that on my bookshelf... then have it dated, like Marvel U Encyclopedia circa 2002. That way it would be easy to update a future edition.

Here's my suggestion on how it should be categorized:

A.CHARACTERS:
1. Heroes
2. Villains
3. Anti-heroes
4. Supporting/ Other Charaters
B. TEAMS (everything from Avengers & Xmen to Factor Three and Sinister Six)
C. MARVEL MULTIVERSE (futures/alt. timelines, etc.)
D. OBITUARIES
E. ATLAS (significant locations, landmarks, etc--from Wakanda and Genosha to Avengers Mansion, Harry's Hideaway and the BAxter Building and beyond, like Titan and the Negative Zone)
F. XENOPEDIA (or something like that)-detailing alien races and hidden cultures like the Shiar, Brood, Kree, Skrulls, Deviants, Atlanteans, Inhumans, etc.)
G. And a CRONOLOGY/HISTORY BOOK: detailing stuff like the Lost Generation, major events/arcs in MU like the Korvac Saga, ultron's destruction of montevideo, rise of the mutant "plague", crossovers like Xtinction Agenda, AOA, Infinity Trilogy, Atlantis Attacks, etc., etc.
H. A Glossary section detailing marvel unique stuff like vibranium, adamantium, unstable molecules, etc.
I. An Armory section detailing marvel's better known weapons such as Hawkeye's arsenal, schematics for armors of Iron MAn, Guardsman, MachI, etc, Mjolnir, Ruby quartz Visors, Prof X's hoverchair

*whew* so what do you think? wishful thinking?

[Neolithic]

It may not belong in a Marvel handbook, but a detailing of the various major writers such as Claremont, Lobdell, Kirby and of course Stan the Man lee. Dont forget their artists too like Laroca, Kuberts, Yu and Madugeira (I may have their names mixed up, thats why I want something like this!) ! I would like to see a brief paragraph on their reflections and issues they worked on.

[Monolith]

Originally posted by BlueKing
A.CHARACTERS:
1. Heroes
2. Villains
3. Anti-heroes
4. Supporting/ Other Charaters
B. TEAMS (everything from Avengers & Xmen to Factor Three and Sinister Six)
C. MARVEL MULTIVERSE (futures/alt. timelines, etc.)
D. OBITUARIES
E. ATLAS (significant locations, landmarks, etc--from Wakanda and Genosha to Avengers Mansion, Harry's Hideaway and the BAxter Building and beyond, like Titan and the Negative Zone)
F. XENOPEDIA (or something like that)-detailing alien races and hidden cultures like the Shiar, Brood, Kree, Skrulls, Deviants, Atlanteans, Inhumans, etc.)
G. And a CRONOLOGY/HISTORY BOOK: detailing stuff like the Lost Generation, major events/arcs in MU like the Korvac Saga, ultron's destruction of montevideo, rise of the mutant "plague", crossovers like Xtinction Agenda, AOA, Infinity Trilogy, Atlantis Attacks, etc., etc.
H. A Glossary section detailing marvel unique stuff like vibranium, adamantium, unstable molecules, etc.
I. An Armory section detailing marvel's better known weapons such as Hawkeye's arsenal, schematics for armors of Iron MAn, Guardsman, MachI, etc, Mjolnir, Ruby quartz Visors, Prof X's hoverchair

*whew* so what do you think? wishful thinking?

I don't know. How easy is it nowadays to divide people into heroes or villians? The lines between them have become a bit more blurry since decades past. A glossary and atlas section might be nice, but I prefer the weapons and paraphanelia right next to the character entries like the Deluxe Edition had. If I want to read about Iron Man, I want to look under "I", not under "I" and the "armory".

[Monolith]

....and if Marvel history is any indication, the character might switch from hero to villian sometime during the release of the Handbook.

[zenith16]

I have that every thing that mono just said here is right. and I hope that's done right.

[Monolith]

Which reminds me: X-Fan, have you picked up any hints as to the format of the Handbook yet? Maxi-series, CD ROM, etc? Or has the development not moved that far along yet?

[Chris Eight]

i'm so looking forward to this, i hope it will be great. :) :)

[BlueKing]

Guide To the Marvel Universe: Leatherbound series
Volume 1: Marvel Universe
Volume 2: X-Men (and their corresponding splinter groups)
Volume 3: Avengers (and their corresponding splinter groups)
Volume 4: Marvel Knights

[Monolith]

Originally posted by xtremexman
I don't think that has been announced yet. I could be wrong, though. I am hoping it will come in the form of a leather-bound hardcover book. Wouldn't that be a great addition to the books already on your bookshelf? :)

I'm a college student: I don't HAVE a bookshelf. Just a well groomed spot on the floor where the books seem to end up. :)

Originally posted by BlueKing
Guide To the Marvel Universe: Leatherbound series
Volume 1: Marvel Universe
Volume 2: X-Men (and their corresponding splinter groups)
Volume 3: Avengers (and their corresponding splinter groups)
Volume 4: Marvel Knights

Again, I think that too specific a guideline to follow. Where would your Avatar Buddy go? Would they leave him out of the Avengers or X-Men? Would there be two Beast entries? I really think a single alphabetical list of characters is the best way to go.

[Ryan Scott]

Originally posted by xtremexman


Oh, I see. I wouldn't know anything about college. I never even thought of applying. As a matter of fact, to do something like that would require a large amount of money. That is something that I just don't have at the moment.

Why do you think I want to be a professional wrestler? It isn't just because I want to entertain. I am also in it for the money. Hey, I have to pay for college somehow, right? Anyway, I have a whole collection of Marvel books on my shelf.

They range from X Men, to Spider Man, to the Incredible Hulk, and much, much more. The new Handbook in my view would make a lovely addition. ...

thanks for sharing...


ANNNNNNNNYWAY, back on topic: I agree with Mono. Alphabetic arrangement might be the most convenient way to go.

[Rcdino1]

About time...

There have been enough changes in the Marvel Universe to double the previoius handbook of the mid-80's. Don't rush! Spend time with the research....if you need help...I'm willing.

[Michael Korvac]

so..is everyone going to be in it..even deceased and inactive characters????

[Zach Kinkead]

Originally posted by Michael Korvac
so..is everyone going to be in it..even deceased and inactive characters???? I’m about 90% sure that the new “handbook” eventually turned into the “encyclopedia” (if you’ll notice, the news is from two years ago). IOW, I’m thinking the answer is “no” :no:

[shame bear]

um, so what would be the difference between this, & the DK Ultimate guides or the Marvel Encyclopedias(X-Men, Spiderman) that are currently in bookstores??? :?