Written by Peter Sanderson & Mark Gruenwald
Art by Josef Rubenstein; Andy Yanchus; Phil Lord; James Fry; Bruce Solotoff; & Others Credited Below
Wraparound Cover Art by Keith Pollard & Dawn Geiger
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for June 1987, this 64-page character biography guide consists of the first thirty entries, each with its own artist. Each detailed biography provides personal and physical stats; first and last appearances; and notable images, including the character’s death scene.
The decedents characters and their assigned artists are as follows:
- Air-Walker (artist: Jerry Ordway) Bucky I (artist: Ron Frenz)
- Ancient One (artist: Carl Potts) Captain Mar-Vell (artist: Jim Starlin)
- Ani-Men I & II (artist: Luke McDonnell) Carrion (artist: Bob Budiansky)
- Baron Blood (artist: Alan Davis) Sharon Carter (artist: Sal Buscema)
- Baron Strucker (artist: Mike Zeck) Turner D. Century (artist: Dwayne Turner)
- Baron Zemo I (artist: Wayne Boring) Champions of Xandar (artist: Mike Harris)
- Basilisk (artist: Sandy Plunkett) Changeling (artist: Bill Reinhold)
- Beyonder (artist: Colleen Doran) Commander Kraken (artist: Carl Potts)
- Big Man (artist: Tom Morgan) Count Nefaria (artist: Whilce Portacio)
- Black Knight I (artist: John Bolton) Cyclone (artist: Al Milgrom)
- Black Knight II (artist: Murphy Anderson) Dakimh the Enchanter (artist: Brent Anderson)
- Blackout (artist: Al Milgrom) Margo Damien (artist: Jim Mooney)
- Blizzard (artist: Chuck Patton) Darkoth (artist: Mike Witherby)
- Bloodstone (artist: Tony Salmons) Death Adder (artist: John Bolton)
- Blue Streak (artist: Todd McFarlane) Death-Stalker (artist: Kevin Nowlan)
Note: Of the 20-issue ‘Deluxe Edition,’ published between 1985 and 1988, Issues # 16-20 were allotted to the deceased characters.
REVIEW:
Judging by this issue, the ‘Deluxe Edition’ series considerably enhances Marvel’s 1983-84 edition, which had previously allotted two issues for its deceased and inactive characters. Besides top-caliber work by writer Peter Sanderson, the issue’s cohesively details are augmented by consistently terrific artwork.
Besides checking out entries for since-revived characters (i.e. Sharon Carter; Count Nefaria; & Bucky/The Winter Soldier), it’s interesting that eight villains depicted here had been brutally assassinated by the Scourge (including seven of them in Captain America # 318-319). Though the near-microscopic font size may necessitate some squinting, this stellar issue is a reminder of Marvel excellence from that era.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Project editor Mark Gruenwald provides an introduction on the inside front cover. The back inside cover offers a strength level chart for various Marvel characters.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
