Now on Comixology: Dark Reign: Accept Change

Comixology is now selling a digital copy of Dark Reign: Accept Change, a trade paperback which collects a number of books from the 'Dark Reign' event, including my own book, Dark Reign Files.

Dark Reign: Accept Change
Collects Dark Reign: New Nation, Secret Invasion: Dark Reign, Dark Avengers #1, Uncanny X-Men Annual #2, Dark Reign Files And Marvel Spotlight: Dark Reign.
The Invasion is over, and the shape of the world has changed, with new and returning players now center stage. Get the lowdown on what's going on across the Marvel Universe as we enter DARK REIGN. In DARK REIGN: NEW NATION, we meet the Secret Warriors, the Skrull Kill Krew and other Marvel players as they embark on their own adventures in the wake of Secret Invasion. Then DARK AVENGERS #1 kicks off an explosive new era in the Avengers mythos. Who are the Dark Avengers? A simple question with a shocking answer! Plus, learn the truth about Emma Frost’s secret past in UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #2.

You can buy it from Comixology here.

On Comixology: The Iron Manual TPB

Comixology has added the Iron Manual trade paperback to its store. The contents include the All-New Iron Manual which I wrote/headed up. It's a good buy!

Iron Manual

Collects The Iron Manual, The All-New Iron Manual and Material From The Iron Man/Force Works Collector's Preview.

These are the chronicles of Tony Stark: the playboy, the genius inventor, the philanthropist, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the futurist, the hero. This handbook is the definitive resource to the world of Iron Man, featuring Tony's closest allies (Happy and Pepper Hogan, War Machine, the Order) and deadliest foes (Justin Hammer, Mandarin, Obadiah Stane)! Includes a complete gallery of the Iron Man armors, and all-new schematics of key armors and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier! Also featuring 1993's original Iron Manual, plus unrevealed armor concepts from the Iron Man/Force Works Collector's Preview.

You can buy it from Comixology here!

Available at Comixology - Marvel Legacy: The 1980s Handbook

Comixology is carrying this handbook as well, with a 1980s OHOTMU-style cover by Sal Buscema!

Marvel Legacy: The 1980s Handbook #1

From the Venerable Vaults of Marveldom, it's the Mighty Marvel Handbook - 1980's style! Just what is the 1980s Handbook, you ask? Imagine a Handbook written at 11:59 PM Dec. 31, 1989. The profiles within cover everything published by the hallowed House of Ideas up until that point. So if it's from a comic that has a December 1989 cover date or earlier, you'll find it in this magnificent mag! Featuring 1980s takes on the Avengers, Captain Marvel, the Defenders, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor and Wolverine - plus U.S. Archer, Captain Hero, the Crossroads, Crystar, DP7, Fusion, Hercules of the 24th century, Lady Daemon, Lunatik, Necromon, Nightmask, Nuke, Rocket Raccoon, Spaceknights, Spider-Ham, Micah Synn, Zaniac and more!

You can buy it on Comixology here!

On Comixology - Marvel Legacy: The 1970s Handbook

Also on Comixology! Going very cheap! And check out the awesome Sal Buscema cover!

Marvel Legacy: The 1970s Handbook #1

From the Venerable Vaults of Marveldom, it's the Mighty Marvel Handbook -- 1970s style! Just what is the 1970s Handbook, you ask? Imagine a Handbook written at 11:59 PM Dec. 31, 1979. The profiles within cover everything published by the hallowed House of Ideas up until that point. So if it's from a comic that has a December 1979 cover date or earlier, you'll find it in this magnificent mag! Featuring the Avengers, Captain Marvel, the Defenders, the Fantastic Four, Power Man, the Punisher and the X-Men as they were in the 1970s, as well as'70s-era characters such as Black Brother, the Deadly Dozen, the Faceless One, Golem, Hellcow, Lady Liberators, Manphibian, Ms. Marvel, Mr. Zodiac, Sons of the Tiger, They Who Wield Power, Xorr the God-Jewel and more!

You can buy it on Comixology here.

Now on Comixology - Marvel Legacy: The 1960s Handbook

These were fun books to put together and Sal Buscema's covers were really neat. And now they're on Comixology!

Marvel Legacy: The 1960s Handbook #1

Here it is, True Believers! You knew we'd do it sooner or later! From the Venerable Vaults of Marveldom, it's the Mighty Marvel Handbook -- 1960s style! Just what is the 1960s Handbook, you ask? Imagine a Handbook written at 11:59 PM Dec. 31, 1969. The profiles within cover everything published by the hallowed House of Ideas up until that point. So if it's from a comic that has a December 1969 cover date or earlier, you'll find it in this magnificent mag! From the Acrobat to Zota -- with the Avengers, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, the Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, the Sub-Mariner, Thor and the X-Men as they were in the 1960s, as well as '60s-era characters such as Factor Three, the Beasts of Berlin, Chili, the Infant Terrible, Mogul of the Mystic Mountain, the Painter of 1000 Perils, the Living Brain, Patsy Walker, the Blackie Drago Vulture, the Ringo Kid and more!

You can buy it from Comixology here.

Marvel Atlas #1-2 on Comixology!

I headed up the Marvel Atlas in 2007, four years before I became a real international traveller. I would certainly have done a better job had I not written the book until after seeing more of the world, but this was the effort we made at the time to establish how Marvel's version of the Earth fits together. And now, Comixology is selling them for $1.99 per issue!

Walk through Marvel's Earth with the first-ever official atlas! In the first half of this indispensable guide, travel through Europe, Asia and the Pacific with digestible in-depth features including: the splendor of Dr. Doom's Latveria! The wonders of Muir Island! The glory of Silver Sable's homeland Symkaria! The urban squalor of Madripoor! The underwater marvels of Lemuria! From the shores of Ireland to the ocean's very depths, it's all mapped out for you courtesy of handbook legend Eliot R. Brown!

You can buy issue #1 here and issue #2 here!

Skrulls! is on Comixology! Right now!

Going back to 2008, this was a quasi-saga quasi-handbook one shot originally released to tie-in with the Secret Invasion crossover and I was part of the team of writers.

Skrulls! (2008) #1

Ever since the dawning of the Marvel Age of heroes, the Skrulls have been known as scheming, conniving, insidious interlopers in the affairs not just of Earth, but the whole universe. Now, get the Skrulls' side of the story! Who are they, what drives them, and what are their ultimate goals? Who are their heroes, and who are their villains? And what will become of their clash between religion and modernity - manifest in their relentless pursuit of the Earth as the final prize - when it spills over into universal mayhem? SKRULLS! helps answer these questions and gives you the clues to ask even more!

You can buy a copy at Comixology right here!

Now on Comixology: New Avengers: Most Wanted Files

This one came to our handbook team in an interesting way; our editor, Jeff Youngquist had just approved one book we'd requested, but hit us with New Avengers: Most Wanted Files as our penanc (that is, he said, "but you have to write this"). I had to make the deadline early because of my brother's wedding and I was pretty stressed out as I wrote the entries I had promised to cover. It's always left a bad taste in my mouth. Anyway, now it's preserved forever online!

An essential companion to NEW AVENGERS, SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, TOXIN and more! Revelations, clarifications and explanations abound as Marvel shines its searchlight on the jailbreak of the century! In the tradition of SECRET WAR: FROM THE FILES OF NICK FURY and SECRETS OF THE HOUSE OF M, NEW AVENGERS: MOST WANTED features HANDBOOK-style bios of all the escapees, from the Answer to Zzzax!

Check it out at Comixology!

Now on Comixology: Iron Manual Mark 3!

Comixology has recently added another of my Marvel projects to their site: why, it's Iron Manual Mark 3 from 2010! I was the head writer of this title, as I'd been on All-New Iron Manual. I felt like I'd already done the most important Iron Man characters in the previous book, but this gave me an opportunity to cover Iron Man's supporting cast from across the decades, which I relished. A copy of this comic was purchased by Robert Downey Jr., which was a thrill to see.

Activate the latest edition of the IRON MANUAL, purposed for experts and novices alike! Built around reliable parts including Iron Man and War Machine; engineered with new designs such as Rescue, Ezekiel Stane and Whiplash (Vanko); kit-bashed from the future with the Stark and Iron Man 2020; and refurbished to accommodate an infusion of Firebrand, Mandroids, LMDs, Masters of Silence, Anthem, Gremlin and more! It's all in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe format, featuring plenty of art by Mario Gully (Ant, KIDNAPPED)!

Iron Manual Mark 3 is only $1.99 at Comixology!

Now on Comixology: Civil War Files

Today Comixology added Civil War Files to their site. I was one of the book's writers way back in 2006 and in the 12 years since then it has been reprinted again and again thanks to the constantly-rebuilt Civil War trade paperbacks.

The legislation has been passed. The battle lines have been drawn. The opening shots have been fired. Now, as the controversial Super Hero Registration Act continues to divide America's superhuman community, Tony Stark - head of the President's Super Hero Task Force - has created the CIVIL WAR FILES, in-depth dossiers analyzing the potential threat posed by the nation's most prominent superhumans. What does Stark know about Captain America? Who is the new Ant-Man? Can the Commission for Superhuman Activities be trusted? The CIVIL WAR FILES is the U.S. government's primary source of superhuman intelligence!

Check it out for $1.99!

The Marvel Pets Handbook is available on Comixology!

For some time, we in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe team would joke about crafting a handbook themed entirely around pets! And then, because of Marvel publishing their 'Pet Avengers' titles, there was an actual demand for the title! It happened, and I was the head writer: The Marvel Pets Handbook!

Rein yourself in for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe you thought you'd never see! A marvelous menagerie of mirthful mammals and more materialize! From the high-flying Falcon's pet Redwing to the ever-familiar Ebony to Speedball's cat Niels to Kitty's dragon Lockheed to Daredevil's dog Deuce to the Mole Man's monsters to Devil Dinosaur and all manner of Asgardian beasts! Cosmo says: "Buy one for me, comrade! Is good!" Lockjaw says: "Woof!" Can you say no to those puppy-dog eyes?

You can purchase the Marvel Pets Handbook for $1.99 at Comixology!

The Marvel Mystery Handbook 70th Anniversary Special returns!

When Marvel was releasing various one-shots to celebrate their 70th anniversary, I was charged to create an Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe in that vein. The result was The Marvel Mystery Handbook 70th Anniversary Special, which features every significant Marvel character from their 1st year of publishing. It was a real treat to create this book and I wish we'd been permitted to create one for every calendar year of Marvel's history.

My editor suggested I have Roy Thomas write the book's introduction, but I opted for Dr. Michael J. Vassallo instead as he's the world's #1 expert on early Marvel history.

As the Marvel Universe celebrates 70 years of the world's greatest comics, journey back to where it all began -- OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE style! Featuring the greatest characters of Marvel's first year -- a year that not only gave us the Sub-Mariner, the Human Torch, the Angel and Ka-Zar, but also THE TWELVE's Black Widow, Phantom Bullet, Electro, Mister E, Dynamic Man, Phantom Reporter, Fiery Mask, Master Mind Excello and Laughing Mask! Also featuring a host of oddities from Fletcher Hanks' Whirlwind Carter to Taxi Taylor! Plus: an introduction by Timely comics scholar Dr. Michael J. Vassallo!

It's selling for $1.99 at Comixology.

All-New Iron Manual is back!

Another project from my Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe days has been re-released as a digital comic at Comixology. It's the All-New Iron Manual, which was released as part of 2008's celebration surrounding the first Iron Man movie.

At the time, I was overjoyed to receive brand-new artwork for the issue from two of my favourite creators - Carlo Pagulayan & Ron Lim. I also went to the OHOTMU legend Eliot R. Brown for a page about the technology in Iron Man's armor. I vividly recall my phone conversation with Brown where I explained Warren Ellis' science surrounding Extremis, only for Brown to angrily denounce it all as claptrap, but he offered suggestions for actual science on how to do what Ellis claimed it could do.

Comixology doesn't have my original solicitation text for the comic, so here it is:

These are the chronicles of Tony Stark: the playboy, the genius inventor, the philanthropist, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the futurist, the hero. This Handbook is the definitive resource to the world of Iron Man, featuring Tony's closest allies (Happy and Pepper Hogan, War Machine, the Order) and deadliest foes (Justin Hammer, Mandarin, Obadiah Stane)! Includes a complete gallery of the Iron Man armors, plus all-new schematics of key armors and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier!

Check it out at Comixology!

Now on Comixology: Wolverine: Weapon X Files!

Back in 2009 we were younger, more innocent, more inclined to believe X-Men Origins: Wolverine would be a winning motion picture. In this environment we of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe wrote up Wolverine: Weapon X Files, a Marvel handbook tied to the film. It's now available at Comixology for $1.99 right here.

An all-inclusive handbook for Hollywood's favorite mutant, spotlighting a complete biography of Wolverine! He may be in an acre of comics each month, but this is the only place to get the real score! Also featuring some of the Canucklehead's best allies -- including Gambit, Maverick, Tyger Tiger and X-Force! And along for the ride are villains -- the likes of Blob, Daken, Deadpool, Mastermind, Orphan Maker, Donald Pierce, the Purifiers, Sabretooth and S'ym! And more than four dozen other stars linked to our man Logan from Amiko to Silver Fox!

The cover artist originally sent in a plain image of Wolverine just standing there - it could have graced the cover of any ol' Wolverine comic book and Marvel was certainly printing them like it was going out of style! The clip art of Wolverine's friends & foes down the sides of the cover were added to get across the idea that this was a Handbook. Still not sure why we called it "Files" though. We usually used the term "files" to refer to non-Handbook formatted books but this one was pure OHOTMU format.

Coming in September: Bloodstone & the Legion of Monsters!

Another trade paperback collection featuring one of the first Marvel comics I served on as head coordinator: Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone. Tying that book into Bloodstone has finally paid off!

BLOODSTONE & THE LEGION OF MONSTERS TPB

Written by DAN ABNETT, ANDY LANNING, DENNIS HOPELESS, JOHN DAVID WARNER & MORE Penciled by MICHAEL LOPEZ, JUAN DOE, SONNY TRINIDAD & MORE Cover by GIL KANE

The MU's most marvelous monster-hunter — unleashed! And she's brought along a few friends... When young Elsa Bloodstone learns her father was legendary creature-killer Ulysses Bloodstone, she soon discovers that blood runs thicker than water! With her father's powerful gem around her neck, Elsa takes up the family business — so look out, Dracula & Co.! Watch Elsa kick beastly behind with her NextWave pal Boom Boom and her own team of groovy ghoulies, the Legion of Monsters! Plus: Discover the full scope of the Bloodstone legacy with astonishing tales from the files of Ulysses himself! Collecting BLOODSTONE #1-4, ASTONISHING TALES: BOOM BOOM AND ELSA, LEGION OF MONSTERS (2011) #1-4, MARVEL PRESENTS #1-2, MARVEL MONSTERS: FROM THE FILES OF ULYSSES BLOODSTONE & THE MONSTER HUNTERS and material from MARVEL ASSISTANT-SIZED SPECTACULAR #2 and GIRL COMICS (2010) #2. 312 PGS./Rated T+ ...$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90802-7

From Marvel in December

A new Bendis collection means one of my old books - New Avengers: Most Wanted Files - is being reprinted yet again:

NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 1 TPB Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by DAVID FINCH, STEVE MCNIVEN & MORE Cover by DAVID FINCH

Award-winning writer Brian Michael Bendis transforms Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! But before he can build his New Avengers, he must disassemble the old ones! In the team’s darkest day, one of their own tears them apart — seemingly forever! But when Electro triggers a breakout at super-villain prison the Raft, Captain America and Iron Man find themselves fighting alongside a new, and very different, group of allies. Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage and Spider-Woman join the new order as the Avengers are reborn! But will the mysterious Sentry add the power of a million exploding suns to the lineup? First he needs to figure out who he is! One glorious era ends, and another age of greatness begins! Collecting AVENGERS (1998) #500-503 and #500 DIRECTOR’S CUT, AVENGERS FINALE, NEW AVENGERS (2004) #1-10 and #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT, and NEW AVENGERS: MOST WANTED FILES. 504 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90362-6

Marvel in March!

Another of my old projects is being reprinted:

CIVIL WAR: YOUNG AVENGERS & RUNAWAYS TPB (NEW PRINTING)

Written by ZEB WELLS & ANTHONY FLAMINI Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI Cover by JIM CHEUNG

As the tide of public opinion turns inexorably against Marvel's heroes, the gears of Civil War threaten to crush the young heroes known as the Runaways. But when the Young Avengers offer their assistance, can the Runaways believe they're on the same side? The warden of the prison called the Cube wants both teams taken down — and he sends his most powerful weapon to do it: Noh-Varr, the young Kree known as Marvel Boy! Can the two teen teams put aside their differences and work together to free their captured teammates? And what happens when Marvel Boy busts loose? This CIVIL WAR tie-in has lasting repercussions for both popular teams! Plus: Look deep into Iron Man's classified files and learn all about the major players of CIVIL WAR! Collecting CIVIL WAR: YOUNG AVENGERS #1-4 and CIVIL WAR FILES #1. 160 PGS./Rated T+ ...$19.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-9572-6

Deadpool Corps: Rank & Foul reprinted again!

It doesn't matter that I stopped working for Marvel in 2012 - with eight years of work, they were bound to keep reprinting some of it - and with a Deadpool movie on the way, naturally it's time for:

DEADPOOL CLASSIC VOL. 15: ALL THE REST TPB

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI, JOHN LAYMAN, STUART MOORE, CHRIS HASTINGS & MORE Penciled by PACO MEDINA, LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, LEE GARBETT, JUAN DOE, AL BARRIONUEVO, SHAWN CRYSTAL, BONG DAZO & MORE Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS

It's the latest and greatest volume in the increasingly flexibly named Deadpool Classic series! The ever-sociable Wade Wilson is back — rubbing shoulders with his bro Cable, laughing it up with his other bro Wolverine and forging an all-new bromance during FEAR ITSELF with...the Walrus? The "Identity Wars" take Deadpool, Spider-Man and the Hulk on a long strange cross-dimensional trip, but what twisted reflections of themselves will they see? And in the wake of Steve Rogers' return, will Wade Wilson become the new Captain America? (Spoiler: no.) Learn all there is to know about Deadpool and friends, right here! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHO WON'T WIELD THE SHIELD #1, CABLE (2008) #25, DEADPOOL & CABLE #26, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #38, DEADPOOL ANNUAL (2011) #1, INCREDIBLE HULKS ANNUAL #1, WOLVERINE/DEADPOOL: THE DECOY #1, FEAR ITSELF: DEADPOOL #1-3 and DEADPOOL CORPS: RANK AND FOUL #1. 360 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$34.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-9690-7

Besides the profiles I wrote for Rank & Foul, I was also the one who named the book. I'm still kinda proud of that pun.

Vampires: the Marvel Undead#1 is in stores today

Vampires: the Marvel Undead is the most recent entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and I know what you're thinking, "Vampires? In the week before Halloween? Must be a coincidence." Maybe you're also wondering why there's a stripper on the cover (it's Lilith, daughter of Dracula).

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself credited as a writer (under "with") for this issue. I mean...obviously I knew I had contributed to the comic. Still, I didn't know if I'd be with the writers or the special thanks. Both, as it turns out.

Anyway, with more than any sane human being should want to know about Marvel Comics' vampires...I approve this publication. Buy a copy.

Official Handbook for May: X-Men!

You'd think there was a new X-Men movie or something...

X-MEN: EARTH’S MUTANT HEROES #1

Select Character Artwork by GUS VAZQUEZ Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY

All things mutants take center stage in this all-new collection of Handbook-style profiles! Featuring X-Men members (Madison Jeffries/Box, Paulie Provenzano, Wraith/Hector Rendoza), trainees (Onyxx, Ink/Eric Gitter), allies (Fred Duncan, Tom Corsi, Candy Southern, Shortpack), the evil (Cortex, X-Cutioner, Amelia Voght, Zaladane, Black Womb) and the lesser-known (Litterbug, Jazz, Arize, Jack in the Box, Crule), and updates for the big guns (Professor X, Magneto, Emma Frost, Beast, Mystique). And because you demanded it: Joseph gets a profile at last! Plus: brand-new Gus Vazquez art for the majority of profiles! 64 PGS. /Handbook/Rated T+ …$4.99