Written by Peter Sanderson; Robert Harras; Mark Lerer; Steven Grant; David A. Lofvers: & Mark Gruenwald
Art by Josef Rubinstein; Andy Yanchus; (Other Credits See Below)
Wraparound Cover Art by John Byrne
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for March 1984, this 33-page issue completes the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series. Per its wraparound cover, the deceased characters’ eyes are closed and their arms are solemnly crossed while the inactive characters’ arms pose at their side. Each character biography (including a description of his/her super-powers) has its own artist. Issue # 14’s decedents and inactive players are:
- Marvel Boy [Deceased]: artist Dave Cockrum
- Mimic [Deceased]: artist Ron Frenz
- Miss America (Madeline Joyce Frank) [Deceased]: artist Mary Wilshire
- Morbius [Inactive]: artist Bill Loebs
- Nebulon [Deceased]: artist Al Milgrom
- Nighthawk [Deceased]: artist Ed Hannigan
- Nova (Richard Rider) [Inactive]: artist Rick Leonardi
- Omega the Unknown [Deceased]: artist Kirk Lassiter
- Patriot (aka Captain America III) [Deceased]: artist Bill Willingham
- Phantom Eagle [Deceased]: artist Herb Trimpe
- Phoenix (Jean Grey) [Deceased]: artist John Byrne
- Pip the Troll [Deceased]: artist Mike Zeck
- Red Guardian I [Deceased]: artist Steve Rude
- Red Guardian II [Inactive]: artist Josef Rubenstein
- Red Raven [Deceased]: artist John Romita, Sr.
- Satana [Deceased]: artist Nestor Redondo
- Shang-Chi [Inactive]: artist Paul Gulacy
- Son of Satan (Daimon Hellstrom) [Inactive]: artist Bob Hall
- Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) [Inactive]: artist Bob McLeod
- Spirit of ’76 (aka Captain America II) [Deceased]: artist Jose Louis
- Spitfire [Inactive]: artist Bob McLeod
- Swordsman [Deceased]: artist Mike Zeck
- Terrax [Deceased]: artist John Byrne
- Thanos [Inactive]: artist Jim Starlin
- 3-D Man [Inactive]: artist Steve Rude
- Thunderbird I [Deceased]: artist Dave Cockrum
- Thunderbolt [Deceased]: artist Kerry Gammill
- Toro [Deceased]: artist Marie Severin
- Torpedo [Deceased]: artist Bill Reinhold
- Adam Warlock [Deceased]: artist Jim Starlin
- White Tiger I [Inactive]: artist Mark Bright
- Whizzer [Deceased]: artist Dennis Jensen
- Vampires [Destroyed]: artist Kyle Baker
- Yellowjacket (Hank Pym) [Inactive]: artist Jerry Ordway
- Zombie [Inactive]: artist Bob Hall
- Zuras [Deceased]: artist Ed Hannigan
REVIEW:
As dated as this issue’s material seems now, one should still appreciate its high-caliber production. For its time, both the sophisticated writing and artwork are exceptional. Considering the storied histories for some of these characters, Marvel Comics remarkably describes their fictional exploits with poignancy and depth.
Now ridiculously outdated, it’s telling how this comic’s sense of finality has been erased by convoluted resurrections, and, in some cases, multiple resurrections of a single character. Due to the copious amount of material crammed into each page, inevitably the nearly microscopic type font makes for an arduous task on a reader’s eyes. Despite some eyestrain, this issue is a well-designed homage to Marvel’s deceased and inactive characters.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The inside back cover explains how ‘death’ and the ‘afterlife’ are interpreted in the Marvel Universe. Included is a synopsis of Marvel’s ‘Death Gods,’ with artwork by Luke McDonnell.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
