Marvel Encyclopedia

by Alastair Dougall

Features over 1,000 classic characters created by comic giant Marvel which include the Spider-Man, the Avengers, Hulk, Wolverine, the X-Men and more.

Genres: Comics, Reference, Marvel, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Fantasy

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow, and I'm not exactly sure how, but this is one of those homage/self-promotion pieces that makes you walk away wondering if reading comic books for the past 40 years of your life has been the best thing you could have done with that time and money. It's a completely different experience from reading one comic at a time. But when taken in bulk, it becomes abundantly clear that most traditional comics are weakly written, with one dimensional characters, relying on violence to solve most problems as costumed characters fight the same costumed criminals for decades. And those costumes, holy shit, they just make you feel like a dumbass for supporting this business and the hobby.

That being said, it's simultaneously an enjoyable walk down memory lane featuring beloved characters and storylines. So, yeah, mixed feelings.

Does it include every Marvel character in this 400-page coffee table book? No (and on principle I cannot give it a 5-star rating because it did not include funky characters like Paste Pot Pete or Man Mountain Marko -- look 'em up!). No Squirrel Girl or Rocket Raccoon -- and that shows you how much things can change in 5 years -- five years ago those characters were embarrassments and today they're making the company money. The primary focus is on repeat characters from the silver age to 2010s, characters modern comic readers would recognize.

Art selections seem to favor the 1990s, which, as we all know, sucked.

The comics covered seem to be classic Marvel Universe only, mentioning other universes like Squadron Supreme or the Zombie universe just in passing. (And, YES, I insist that the wackiness of Not Brand Echhs and even Crazy Magazine existed in its own universe and should be acknowledged as such. So there.)

Rather than telling me the eye color or weight of characters, they could have made this interesting. They could have told us the total price in real dollars of how much it cost when Namor flooded New York, or how many DWIs Tony Stark has, or listed all the Universe X and Ultimates characters, or how many times characters died and were resurrected.

Overall, choices were made, these are the results of those choices, and it's enjoyable enough.

[Kiefer Hwasta · Rating 5 out of 5]

it teeches you about marvel

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I will say I have finished as much as you can finish a book of this size and complexity. It sounds so much like a cliche but its true this book is packed with fascinating facts and amazing illustrations. I will admit that DC and Marvel universes are utterly new to me - I know only what I would say are out of pop culture and common references (which I suspect in fact are incorrect or totally erroneous). But rather than being intimidating or uttering in accessible like some books this is something you can dip in and out of or follow a specific string (from one character reference to another) or just work through alphabetically. One thing I constantly find amazing is how the various story lines converge, influence and then diverge again so many times yet still find so many new and interesting ideas to pursue. This really is a book for fans and novices alike.

[Adam Windsor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does exactly what it says on the tin: provides an extensive (if inevitably incomplete and ever more out of date, given its 2010 publishing date) account of characters and events in the Marvel Universe. It's certainly a solid effort at the subject, though if what you actually want is exhaustive and up to the minute information on Marvel, you'd be better off hitting up the online wiki. Get this if what you want instead is a big old coffee table book of Marvel stuff.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice Marvel reference /character encyclopedia. I particularly like the larger art / spreads for more prominent characters, and the "fact files" with character data and appearance notes.

While I skimmed this more than I read it, I'm glad to own it. I own the DC version as well - though I think DC wins out on this one, as it seems better organized (though I own the more recent edition of the DC encyclopedia and an older version of the Marvel Encyclopedia).

[Michael]

Shota and I read this every night for a few months.

[Roniius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book singlehandedly carried me through the mid-2010s. For that, I'm grateful.

[Nathan Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive but 10 years out of date!

[andy]

bruhhh LMFAOOOOOOOOO

[Krystal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 didn’t even know they had something like this it’s very cool i loved learning about new superheroes & villains

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun guide and great visuals. Not a complete guide however as many characters are not given full bios, but I guess that would be too large a book.

[Camilo Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

400 paginas de personajes Marvel, en la cual te resumen la historia de cuanto personaje esta activo (Capitan America) o fue relativamente importante en la historia de los comics ( ahi esta x-Man)otros que no se que hacen ahi ( Blizzard) y faltan importantes ( Star Lord) pero es un tomo de lujo, que te cuenta mil cosas que no sabia, aunque se nota que es un libro dirigido a toda la familia,por lo cual momentos duros de la historia de Marvel son minimizados u obviados , nada de imagenes sangrientas ...eso le resta valor al libro. Una lastima.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome reference material of the Marvel Universe. I dont believe this is totally complete unfortunately, but for the most part its all here. Great introductions to all the characters, stats, key issues to look for, and first appearance references. Beautiful layout and would make an awesome coffee table book. A must for the Marvel collectors out there.

[Jonathan de Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings back all the fondest memories of my childhood and allows me to cleanse my mind of the mundane boredom that is my job in the nerdiest, fanboyish-est, wonderland that is the Marvel Universe.

I thank my lucky stars for these heroes often enough for it to be almost sad and now I have them all in one book.

Thank you, Marvel.
You make me proud to be the geekiest of my friends.

[Mike Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very great, informative book that does'nt just give you the history of almost every character in the marvel universe, but all the major events, like the secret invasion and all the other events. A great, big coffee table reference book that any marvel fan would love to own..

[Stew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although some of the character details are incorrect in this encyclopedia, it is a must-have for any comic geek. The art work is beautiful, the information is interesting and it is a huge compilation of some of the greatest characters ever created!

[Miri Gifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was definitely actually trying to read this entire thing, but there's too much for three weeks at a time. I found this so interesting, though. I'll probably go back every now and then and make a little more progress.

[Lyndon Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WILL KNOW EVERYTHING IN MARVEL NOW!!!!!!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. but too short on some characters.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive multicoloured guide to the Marvel multiverse, telling you all you ever wanted to know, and a lot you didn't about Stan Lee's costumed super-heroes and super-villains.

[Valeska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this book in my library!!!
Amor eterno por Marvel <3

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Planet Marvel

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome informative book. Did not read the whole thing. Would borrow it again from the library.

[Mark Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this encyclopedia a lot. So many characters I had never heard of. The main articles were very well written.

[Malkhaz Shonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every "Marvel" lover should possess this AMAZING BOOK. Comprehensive information about every single "Marvel" heroes.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE MARVEL!SO much better then DC!

[Felipe Amazing · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is. Very amazing encyclopedia it has a lot of information

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant skim.

[Michael Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

My coffee table source book for Marvel quick references.