Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Vol. 1)

    (Marvel, 1983-1984)
™ and ©1983 Marvel Entertainment Group

Marvel used this 1983 series in a valiant attempt to document every character in the Marvel Universe. A huge project, it spanned fifteen issues, covering the powers, identities, and histories of characters from the Abomination to Zzzax. Also included were two issues covering dead and inactive characters, and one on weapons and paraphernalia.

But even a massive undertaking like this can never completely define the constantly changing Marvel Universe. Since this first attempt, two other series have updated and expanded the original material.
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    Jan 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Ron Wilson, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Mark Gruenwald, Brian Postman, Bob Budiansky, Paul Smith, Jack Kirby, Peter B. Gillis, Tom Orzechowski, Rick Parker, Paty, Eliot Brown, Walt Simonson  ·  A: Ron Wilson, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Mark Gruenwald, Brian Postman, Bob Budiansky, Paul Smith, Jack Kirby, Peter B. Gillis, Tom Orzechowski, Rick Parker, Paty, Eliot Brown, Walt Simonson
    Abomination to Avengers Quinjet
    17 copies from $1.25
  • 1/NS
    Newsstand Edition with cover by Ed Hannigan
    Jan 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Ron Wilson, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Mark Gruenwald, Brian Postman, Bob Budiansky, Paul Smith, Jack Kirby, Peter B. Gillis, Tom Orzechowski, Rick Parker, Paty, Eliot Brown, Walt Simonson  ·  A: Ron Wilson, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, John Byrne, Terry Austin, Mark Gruenwald, Brian Postman, Bob Budiansky, Paul Smith, Jack Kirby, Peter B. Gillis, Tom Orzechowski, Rick Parker, Paty, Eliot Brown, Walt Simonson
    Abomination to Avengers Quinjet
    1 copy for $0.50
  • 2
    Feb 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Sandy Plunkett, Kerry Gammill, John Byrne, Marie Severin, Dave Cockrum, John Romita Jr., Bob Layton, Keith Pollard, Frank Miller, Al Milgrom, Josef Rubinstein, Steve Leialoha, Bret Blevins, Bob McLeod, Bob Budiansky, Gene Day, Ron Wilson, Brian Postman, Steve Ditko, Dan Reed, Paty  ·  A: Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Sandy Plunkett, Kerry Gammill, John Byrne, Marie Severin, Dave Cockrum, John Romita Jr., Bob Layton, Keith Pollard, Frank Miller, Al Milgrom, Josef Rubinstein, Steve Leialoha, Bret Blevins, Bob McLeod, Bob Budiansky, Gene Day, Ron Wilson, Brian Postman, Steve Ditko, Dan Reed, Paty
    Baron Mordo to The Collective Man
    20 copies from $0.50
  • 3
    Mar 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Rudy Nebres, Dave Cockrum, Denys Cowan, Marie Severin, Al Milgrom, Dan Reed, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Paul Smith, Eliot Brown, Frank Miller, Larry Hama, Frank Springer, Rick Bryant, Don Perlin, Ed Hannigan, Dave Simons, Mike Mignola, Alan Weiss, Jack Kirby, John Romita Jr., Paty  ·  A: Rudy Nebres, Dave Cockrum, Denys Cowan, Marie Severin, Al Milgrom, Dan Reed, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Paul Smith, Eliot Brown, Frank Miller, Larry Hama, Frank Springer, Rick Bryant, Don Perlin, Ed Hannigan, Dave Simons, Mike Mignola, Alan Weiss, Jack Kirby, John Romita Jr., Paty
    The Collector to Dracula
    16 copies from $0.50
  • 4
    Apr 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Paul Smith, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Mike Mignola, Mike Zeck, Frank Miller, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Ron Wilson, Mark Gruenwald, Rick Parker, John Byrne, Eliot Brown, Mike Vosburg, Al Milgrom, Sal Buscema, John Romita Jr., Nestor Redondo, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Bret Blevins, Walt Simonson, Sandy Plunkett, Mark Richards, Brian Postman, Paty, Frank Giacoia  ·  A: Paul Smith, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Mike Mignola, Mike Zeck, Frank Miller, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Ron Wilson, Mark Gruenwald, Rick Parker, John Byrne, Eliot Brown, Mike Vosburg, Al Milgrom, Sal Buscema, John Romita Jr., Nestor Redondo, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Bret Blevins, Walt Simonson, Sandy Plunkett, Mark Richards, Brian Postman, Paty, Frank Giacoia
    Dragon Man to Gypsy Moth
    25 copies from $0.50
  • 5
    May 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Bill Sienkiewicz, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Mark Gruenwald, Kerry Gammill, Richard Howell, Mike Mignola, Bob McLeod, Brian Postman, Al Milgrom, Bob Layton, Eliot Brown, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Jr., Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Ron Wilson, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Greg Larocque, Steve Leialoha, Jim Starlin, Denys Cowan, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Paty  ·  A: Bill Sienkiewicz, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Mark Gruenwald, Kerry Gammill, Richard Howell, Mike Mignola, Bob McLeod, Brian Postman, Al Milgrom, Bob Layton, Eliot Brown, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Jr., Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Ron Wilson, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Greg Larocque, Steve Leialoha, Jim Starlin, Denys Cowan, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Paty
    Hangman to Juggernaut
    17 copies from $0.99
  • 5/NS
    Newsstand Edition with cover by Ed Hannigan
    May 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Bill Sienkiewicz, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Mark Gruenwald, Kerry Gammill, Richard Howell, Mike Mignola, Bob McLeod, Brian Postman, Al Milgrom, Bob Layton, Eliot Brown, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Jr., Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Ron Wilson, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Greg Larocque, Steve Leialoha, Jim Starlin, Denys Cowan, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Paty  ·  A: Bill Sienkiewicz, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Mark Gruenwald, Kerry Gammill, Richard Howell, Mike Mignola, Bob McLeod, Brian Postman, Al Milgrom, Bob Layton, Eliot Brown, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Jr., Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Ron Wilson, Keith Pollard, Rudy Nebres, Greg Larocque, Steve Leialoha, Jim Starlin, Denys Cowan, Dave Cockrum, Luke McDonnell, Paty
    Hangman to Juggernaut
    1 copy for $0.50
  • 6
    Jun 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Brett Breeding, Eliot Brown, Ron Wilson, Bob McLeod, Sandy Plunkett, Walt Simonson, Brent Anderson, Jim Shooter, Frank Miller, John Byrne, Mike Mignola, Sal Buscema, John Romita Sr., Keith Pollard, Paul Smith, Mary Jo Duffy, Rudy Nebres, Mike Zeck, Mike Grell, Bret Blevins, Marie Severin, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Herb Trimpe, Bob Hall, Paty, John Tartaglione, Ed Hannigan  ·  A: Brett Breeding, Eliot Brown, Ron Wilson, Bob McLeod, Sandy Plunkett, Walt Simonson, Brent Anderson, Jim Shooter, Frank Miller, John Byrne, Mike Mignola, Sal Buscema, John Romita Sr., Keith Pollard, Paul Smith, Mary Jo Duffy, Rudy Nebres, Mike Zeck, Mike Grell, Bret Blevins, Marie Severin, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Herb Trimpe, Bob Hall, Paty, John Tartaglione, Ed Hannigan
    Kang to Man-Bull
    17 copies from $0.75
  • 7
    Jul 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Jerry Bingham, Rudy Nebres, Bob Layton, Mark Gruenwald, Rick Parker, Bret Blevins, David A. Lofvers, John Byrne, Al Milgrom, Paul Smith, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Jim Starlin, John Buscema, Jackson “Butch” Guice, Walt Simonson, Ed Hannigan, John Romita Jr., Mark Richards, Mike Zeck, Bill Sienkiewicz, Eliot Brown, Bob McLeod, Paty  ·  A: Jerry Bingham, Rudy Nebres, Bob Layton, Mark Gruenwald, Rick Parker, Bret Blevins, David A. Lofvers, John Byrne, Al Milgrom, Paul Smith, Kerry Gammill, Bob Budiansky, Jim Starlin, John Buscema, Jackson “Butch” Guice, Walt Simonson, Ed Hannigan, John Romita Jr., Mark Richards, Mike Zeck, Bill Sienkiewicz, Eliot Brown, Bob McLeod, Paty
    Mandarin to Mystique
    17 copies from $0.75
  • 8
    Aug 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Alan Weiss, Rudy Nebres, Jim Steranko, Dave Cockrum, Nestor Redondo, Bill Sienkiewicz, Al Milgrom, Jim Starlin, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Walt Simonson, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Sr., Bob Wiacek, Kerry Gammill, Brent Anderson, Bob McLeod, Denys Cowan, Eliot Brown, Frank Miller, Brian Bolland, Paul Smith, Paty  ·  A: Alan Weiss, Rudy Nebres, Jim Steranko, Dave Cockrum, Nestor Redondo, Bill Sienkiewicz, Al Milgrom, Jim Starlin, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Walt Simonson, Jackson “Butch” Guice, John Romita Sr., Bob Wiacek, Kerry Gammill, Brent Anderson, Bob McLeod, Denys Cowan, Eliot Brown, Frank Miller, Brian Bolland, Paul Smith, Paty
    Namorita to Pyro
    16 copies from $0.75
  • 9
    Sep 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Mike Grell, Alan Weiss, Al Milgrom, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Herb Trimpe, Mike Zeck, John Buscema, Walt Simonson, John Romita Sr., Paul Smith, Sal Buscema, Mark Richards, Mark D. Bright, June Brigman, Mike Carlin, Eliot Brown, Sandy Plunkett, Brent Anderson, Larry Hama, Bob Budiansky, Kerry Gammill, Paty  ·  A: Mike Grell, Alan Weiss, Al Milgrom, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Herb Trimpe, Mike Zeck, John Buscema, Walt Simonson, John Romita Sr., Paul Smith, Sal Buscema, Mark Richards, Mark D. Bright, June Brigman, Mike Carlin, Eliot Brown, Sandy Plunkett, Brent Anderson, Larry Hama, Bob Budiansky, Kerry Gammill, Paty
    Quasar to She-Hulk
    18 copies from $0.75
  • 10
    Oct 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Eliot Brown, Paul Abrams, Bob Hall, Walt Simonson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kerry Gammill, Michael Golden, John Byrne, Steve Leialoha, Brett Breeding, Jack Abel, Sal Buscema, Frank Miller, Joe Sinnott, John Romita Jr., Greg Larocque, Ron Wilson, Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom, Dave Cockrum, Bob Wiacek, Jackson “Butch” Guice, Alan Weiss, Paty  ·  A: Paul Smith, Mike Zeck, Eliot Brown, Paul Abrams, Bob Hall, Walt Simonson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kerry Gammill, Michael Golden, John Byrne, Steve Leialoha, Brett Breeding, Jack Abel, Sal Buscema, Frank Miller, Joe Sinnott, John Romita Jr., Greg Larocque, Ron Wilson, Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom, Dave Cockrum, Bob Wiacek, Jackson “Butch” Guice, Alan Weiss, Paty
    Shi’ar to Sub-Mariner
    14 copies from $0.50
  • 11
    Nov 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Bret Blevins, Sandy Plunkett, Bob McLeod, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Ron Wilson, Walt Simonson, Alan Kupperberg, Paul Becton, Keith Pollard, Bob Hall, Brian Bolland, Eliot Brown, John Romita Sr., John Buscema, Will Meugniot, Al Milgrom, Sal Buscema, Kerry Gammill, Josef Rubinstein, Brett Breeding, Paul Smith, Paty  ·  A: Bret Blevins, Sandy Plunkett, Bob McLeod, Mike Zeck, John Byrne, Ron Wilson, Walt Simonson, Alan Kupperberg, Paul Becton, Keith Pollard, Bob Hall, Brian Bolland, Eliot Brown, John Romita Sr., John Buscema, Will Meugniot, Al Milgrom, Sal Buscema, Kerry Gammill, Josef Rubinstein, Brett Breeding, Paul Smith, Paty
    Subterraneans to Ursa Major
    19 copies from $0.50
  • 12
    Dec 1983
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Dave Cockrum, June Brigman, Mike Zeck, Paul Smith, Bret Blevins, Don McGregor, Rick Parker, John Byrne, Don Perlin, Kerry Gammill, Paul Abrams, John Romita Jr., Keith Pollard, Luke McDonnell, Bob Hall, Mike Mignola, Paty  ·  A: Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Dave Cockrum, June Brigman, Mike Zeck, Paul Smith, Bret Blevins, Don McGregor, Rick Parker, John Byrne, Don Perlin, Kerry Gammill, Paul Abrams, John Romita Jr., Keith Pollard, Luke McDonnell, Bob Hall, Mike Mignola, Paty
    Valkyrie to Zzzax
    17 copies from $0.75
  • 13
    Feb 1984
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Jerry Ordway, Carl Potts, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Mike Zeck, Bill Willingham, John Bolton, Tony Salmons, Ron Frenz, Jim Starlin, Bill Reinhold, Rich Buckler, Walt Simonson, Dave Simons, Al Milgrom, Armando Gil, Bob Budiansky, Ron Wilson, John Romita Sr., Don Perlin, Kerry Gammill, Dennis Jensen, Nestor Redondo, Bob McLeod, George Pérez, Luke McDonnell, Andy Mushynsky, Alan Kupperberg, Kyle Baker, Paul Becton, Kim DeMulder  ·  A: Jerry Ordway, Carl Potts, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Mike Zeck, Bill Willingham, John Bolton, Tony Salmons, Ron Frenz, Jim Starlin, Bill Reinhold, Rich Buckler, Walt Simonson, Dave Simons, Al Milgrom, Armando Gil, Bob Budiansky, Ron Wilson, John Romita Sr., Don Perlin, Kerry Gammill, Dennis Jensen, Nestor Redondo, Bob McLeod, George Pérez, Luke McDonnell, Andy Mushynsky, Alan Kupperberg, Kyle Baker, Paul Becton, Kim DeMulder
    Book of the Dead: Air-Walker to Man-Wolf
    16 copies from $1.00
  • 14
    Mar 1984
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Dave Cockrum, Ron Frenz, Mary Wilshire, William Messner-Loebs, Al Milgrom, Ed Hannigan, Rick Leonardi, Kirk Lassiter, Bill Willingham, Herb Trimpe, John Byrne, Mike Zeck, Steve Rude, Josef Rubinstein, John Romita Sr., Nestor Redondo, Paul Gulacy, Bob Hall, Bob McLeod, Jose Louis, Jim Starlin, Kerry Gammill, Marie Severin, Bill Reinhold, Mark D. Bright, Dennis Jensen, Kyle Baker, Jerry Ordway, Luke McDonnell  ·  A: Dave Cockrum, Ron Frenz, Mary Wilshire, Bill Loebs, Al Milgrom, Ed Hannigan, Rick Leonardi, Kirk Lassiter, Bill Willingham, Herb Trimpe, John Byrne, Mike Zeck, Steve Rude, Josef Rubinstein, John Romita Sr., Nestor Redondo, Paul Gulacy, Bob Hall, Bob McLeod, Jose Louis, Jim Starlin, Kerry Gammill, Marie Severin, Bill Reinhold, Mark D. Bright, Dennis Jensen, Kyle Baker, Jerry Ordway, Luke McDonnell
    Book of the Dead: Marvel Boy to Zuras
    19 copies from $0.75
  • 15
    May 1984
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Eliot Brown  ·  A: Eliot Brown
    Weapons, Hardware, and Paraphernalia
    16 copies from $1.00