Written by Eric J. Moreels & Ronald Byrd
Art by (See Below); Pond Scum; Victor Gonzalez; Laura Martin; & James Rochelle
Cover Art by Salvador Larroca; Richard Isanove; & Chris Sotomayor
SUMMARY:
Published as a 2005 Target exclusive, this 96-page compilation guide consists of two Official Handbooks of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2004 and Wolverine 2004. All applicable characters have a power grid (on a scale of 1-7) specifying: intelligence, strength, speed, durability, energy projection, and fighting skills. The detailed character profiles and artists are the following:
X-Men 2004
Beast: John Cassady Nightcrawler: Sean Chen
Bishop: Alan Davis Polaris: Randy Green
Cyclops: John Cassady Professor X: Aaron Lopresti
Emma Frost: John Cassady Kitty Pryde: John Cassady
Gambit: Salvador Larroca Rogue: Sean Chen
Havok: Salvador Larroca Sage: Alan Davis
Iceman: Carlos Pacheco Storm: Alan Davis
Juggernaut: Ron Garney Wolverine: Sean Chen
Rachel Summers: Alan Davis X-Mansion/Estate: Jim Calafore
Wolverine 2004
Wolverine: Salvador Larroca; Steve Skroce; John Romita Jr.;
Marc Silvestri; Joe Madureira; & Dan Fraga Ogun: Boris Vallejo
Adamantium: Sean Chen & Eliot R. Brown Omega Red: Jim Lee
Agent Zero (Maverick): Jeff Johnson Reavers: Marc Silvestri & Salvador Larroca
Alpha Flight: Sean Chen Roughouse: Sal Buscema
Bloodscream: Matthew Marsilla Sabretooth: Jim Lee; Joe Jusko; & Darick Robertson
Cyber: Adam Kubert Silver Fox: Mark Texeira
Deadpool: Ed McGuinness & Patrick Zircher Silver Samurai: Boris Vallejo
Genesis: Steve Skroce Matsu’o Tsurayaba: Marc Silvestri
Lady Deathstrike: Sean Chen & Ryan Bodenheim Viper: Julie Bell
Madripoor: Uncredited Weapon X Program: Barry Windsor-Smith
Mauvais: Sean Chen Mariko Yoshida: Paul Smith
Mister X: Sean Chen Yukio: Leinil Francus Yu
Native: Darick Robertson
Note: Wolverine’s X-Men 2004 entry is 2½ pages. – comparatively, his Wolverine 2004 profile is 10 pages.
REVIEW:
For Marvel aficionados, no matter how outdated these biographies are now, this exceptional compilation delivers the goods and then some. Both the writing and accompanying artwork are high-caliber.
In fair warning to parents, this book isn’t kid-friendly – some of these biographies contain some grisly R-rated plot details (i.e. in the Wolverine 2004 section). Otherwise, it’s a handy resource for adult fans seeking a quick reference on various X-Men-related characters from that era.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Two full-page covers for the Wolverine 2004 handbook are the mid-point. The last page has the creative team’s and publishing credits. However, a power grid explanation defining specific limits isn’t included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
