Of The Marvel Universe Master Edition 1 |link| | Official Handbook

This is a reference for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition #1 (1990), specifically the solid paper (non-cardstock) newsstand/direct edition.

CAPTAIN AMERICA

Real Name: Steven Grant Rogers Occupation: Crimefighter, adventurer, former soldier Identity: Publicly known Legal Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record Other Aliases: Nomad, The Captain, Steve Rogers Place of Birth: New York City, New York Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Joseph (father, deceased), Sarah (mother, deceased) Group Affiliation: Avengers (leader), formerly Invaders Base of Operations: New York City, New York; Avengers Mansion official handbook of the marvel universe master edition 1

  • Editorial bias and exclusions: Choices about which characters receive extended treatment reflect market interests and internal editorial priorities—A-list heroes are thorough, while obscure or creators-owned properties may get perfunctory entries.
  • Canon disputes: Fans sometimes disagree with the handbook’s characterization of ambiguous events (e.g., the nature of certain retcons), which can spark debate rather than settle it.

    • The cover of #1, by an uncredited Bullpen artist, features a grid of nine character heads (Abomination, Absorbing Man, Alpha Flight, etc.), visually reinforcing the "database" concept. This is a reference for the Official Handbook

    If you find a complete set of all 20 issues in a binder today at a garage sale? Buy it. That is someone's childhood. The cover of #1, by an uncredited Bullpen

    The Granddaddy of Superhero Encyclopedias: A Deep Dive into the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #1

    In the pre-internet dark ages of the 1980s, if a comic book fan wanted to know the tensile strength of Captain America’s shield, the exact weight of the Hulk, or the real name of the third villain from the left on a splash page, they had few options. You could write a letter to Marvel, wait four months, and pray for a response. Or, you could buy the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

    The Master Edition (specifically, Master Edition #1) is a revised and updated version of the original handbooks, which were first published in the 1980s. This edition aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Marvel Universe, covering its vast array of characters, teams, and events.

    The Definitive Database: A Look Back at Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #1

    Release Date: December 1991 (Cover dated February 1992) Publisher: Marvel Comics Format: 3-Ring Binder Loose-Leaf System