Alphabetizing your comic collection is never easy, but it sure is satisfying. Putting all of those comics in a long box in alphabetical and numeric order and completing a run is one of the reasons we collect.
Marvel must have realized this in 1990 when they released a new edition of their popular The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series in a brand new, highly collectible (and frustrating format).
The new series came in a non-comic format, and were shrink-wrapped packs of Marvel Universe Master Edition loose-leaf, hole-punched pages which were designed to be assembled in a 3-ring binder of your choosing or an official Marvel version (with a rather generic, black and white cosmic motif). And to add to collector’s instincts and drive, the pack were not released in alphabetical order, therefore making the ordering of the cards a new activity for completists everywhere.
The new The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition Omnibus Volume One dispenses with the original’s odd format and puts all of the entries from 1990 to 1993 in an easy to read and satisfying alphabetical order.
The Omnibus contains all of the original entries, culled from The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #1-36, starting with the Abomination and extending to the ever-popular Lyja the Lazerfist. Each entry offers a front, back and side view of each character in a standard 5-1/2″ size with biographical data, physical descriptions (height, weight, eye and hair color, etc.), powers and abilities, weaponry, accessories, and costume notes.
Each entry also contains a bibliography for each character noting their first appearance and origin and significant event issues (proving to be a handy tool for fans of the era who did not have the internet to rely on).
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition Omnibus Volume One consists of 888 pages for a suggested retail price of $100.00.
Look for the first volume at your favorite comic shop on February 7, check out the two covers below (the one with Hawkeye front and center is the comic shop exclusive one), and keep coming back to Conskipper for all of your vintage comic news.
