RIP: George Olshevsky

George Olshevsky has passed away.

Olshevsky first made waves in the 1970s with his small press Marvel Comics indexes. In the 1980s, Marvel thesmelves hired him to write new indexes for them; and that's where I first learned of Olshevsky, from the 'Officlal Marvel Comics Index' series featuring indexes of Marvel Team-Up, Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers and X-Men. To this day, however, I've never seen those 1970s indexes in physical form - I don't think they saw much distribution in western Canada.

I suppose I was drawn to those indexes not only because I had an avid interest in Marvel lore (the indexes were an obvious partner to the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe) but because Olshevsky's plot synopses seemed to me the only way I would ever possibly read the plots of every adventure of the Avengers or X-Men (little did I know).

In time, I became an indexer following in Olshevsky's footsteps when we launched our own Official Index to the Marvel Universe in 2009. Just as I was honoured to follow in Mark Gruenwald's path via the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, so too was I honoured to be performing the same work as George Olshevsky had.

Rest in peace, Mr. Olshevsky.

The Official Index to the Marvel Universe has arrived at Comixology!

I was one of the writing crew members for The Official Index to the Marvel Universe at the same time we were producing The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. I wish we'd been able to index more books, but the index project covered a lot of titles, many of whom had scarce data available online.

Follow the history of the Marvel Universe as it unfolds with the Official Index to the Marvel Universe. Each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing you to the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! Join us as we chronicle the Marvel Universe, starting with Spider-Man (from Amazing Fantasy #15 on), Iron Man (from Tales of Suspense #39 on) and the X-Men (from 1963's X-Men #1 on).

You can buy issues #1-14 at Comixology!

The Official Index to the Avengers: September!

Completing the most recent incarnation of the Official Index to the Marvel Universe trade paperback collections, the Avengers edition ships this September!

AVENGERS: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE GN-TPB

Marvel brought together its greatest heroes in 1963 to form the world’s premier super-team: the Avengers! Now, an account of their adventures through the intervening decades is assembled in a single volume for the first time. The OFFICIAL INDEX chronicles every issue of the first three volumes of AVENGERS, Brian Michael Bendis’ acclaimed NEW AVENGERS and more — covering more than 600 issues with detailed synopses, character breakdowns and fascinating trivia. Collecting the Avengers chapters from AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1-15. 352 PGS./Rated A …$19.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-5522-5

This May: Official Index#13!

Yes, lucky issue #13!

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #13

Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages as the chronicle of the Marvel Universe continues its coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #395) and Captain America (from both 1998’s CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 and 1944’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #39). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as we provide synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips — introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within with vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Official Index to Captain America: collected!

Coming this May; this book is a treasure for the 1940s entries alone!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE GN-TPB

Get the complete history of the Sentinel of Liberty from his earliest WWII-era appearances all the way up to the present day. This book comes packed with synopses — introducing you to the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within; and providing vital information about all things Cap! Collecting material from AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1-14. 32 PGS./Rated A …$24.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-5097-8

This Wednesday: Official Index#10

Issue#10 of the Official Index to the Marvel Universe is due for release this week; check out the solicitation here and be sure to keep following the series as we index every issue of Avengers, Captain America & Thor!

Index to Thor: collected!

Due this April from the House of Ideas...

THOR: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE GN-TPB

Get the complete history of the God of Thunder from his earliest appearances all the way up to the present day. This book comes packed with synopses — introducing you to the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within; and providing vital information about all things Thor! Collecting material from AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1-12. 328 PGS./Rated A …$19.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-5098-5

These tomes are great, the perfect way to read the Index. If you haven't been following the Official Index in single issues, I highly recommend these volumes.

Marvel Index in April

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #12

Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages as the chronicle of the Marvel Universe continues its coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #385), Thor (from 2002’s THOR #43), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #426 and 1944’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #37). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as we provide synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips — introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within with vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

New Index tomorrow!

The latest issue of the Official Index to the Marvel Universe should be shipping tomorrow, but check with your local store to see if the holidays have caused delays. More about Index #9 here!

Speaking of delays, I took a week off the internet during the holidays so I missed mentioning on this blog that my most recent book Heroic Age: X-Men shipped last week. It's the third and final of the Heroic Age files series, so be sure to snag a copy while they're still on the shelves!

Marvel Index #11 in March!

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #11

Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages as the chronicle of the Marvel Universe continues its coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #373), Thor (from 1998’s THOR #1), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #417 and 1944’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #35). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as we provide synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips — introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within with vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Index in February

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #10

The chronicle of the Marvel Universe returns as the All-New Official Index to the Marvel Universe delves into the history of three more of Marvel’s most enduring titles! Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages to we launch our coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #345), Thor (from THOR #460), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #387 and 1941’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #32). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Due tomorrow: Heroic Age: Super Villains!

Tomorrow sees the release of Heroic Age: Super Villains, the second of three special one shots where Steve Rogers gathers the facts on the post-Siege Marvel Universe! The full solicitation is here!

Also, keep your eyes open for the collected edition of the Official Index to the Marvel Universe: X-Men, which is said to be available tomorrow. I have my copy and it's great, an indispensable desk reference for people like me who spend a lot of time looking up facts on comics. The full solicitation can be found here!

Index in January

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #9

The chronicle of the Marvel Universe returns as the All-New Official Index to the Marvel Universe delves into the history of three more of Marvel’s most enduring titles! Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages to we launch our coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #300), Thor (from THOR #398), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #332 and 1941’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #31). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Marvel Index#8 in December!

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #8

The chronicle of the Marvel Universe continues as the All-New Official Index to the Marvel Universe delves into the history of three of Marvel’s most enduring titles! Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages as we continue our coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #260), Thor (from THOR #350), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #306 and 1941’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #31). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Official Index#5 - tomorrow!

Kick off the month of September with Avengers, Thor & Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe#5, which ships this wednesday! It features more of the Index team's great work chronicling years worth of Avengers, Thor & Captain America stories, including Cap's original Golden Age series! More information is available at marvel.com!

The Official Index's X-Men collection - due November!

Now that the Iron Man & Amazing Spider-Man portions of the Official Index to the Marvel Universe's 1st volume have been collected, it's time to wrap it up with the Uncanny X-Men collection!

UNCANNY X-MEN: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE GN-TPB

Get the complete history of the X-Men from their earliest appearances all the way up to the present day. This book comes packed with synopses of every issue of Uncanny X-Men—introducing you to the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within and providing vital information about all things X! Also includes synopses of Classic X-Men issues only available in this collection. Collecting material from OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1-13. 328 PGS./Rated A …$19.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-4958-3

Index #7 in November!

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #7

The chronicle of the Marvel Universe continues as the All-New Official Index to the Marvel Universe delves into the history of three of Marvel’s most enduring titles! Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages as we continue our coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #215), Thor (from THOR #318), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #274 and 1941’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #27). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Out today: Avengers/Thor/Captain America Index#4!

The Avengers/Thor/Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe ships issue #4 today! You can read more about it here, then be sure to visit your comic shop today to pick up a copy!

Index#6 in October!

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #6

The chronicle of the Marvel Universe returns as the All-New Official Index to the Marvel Universe delves into the history of three more of Marvel’s most enduring titles! Return with us to the Silver and Golden Ages to we launch our coverage of the Avengers (from AVENGERS #200), Thor (from THOR #287), and Captain America (from both CAPTAIN AMERICA #273 and 1941’s CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #21). Watch the Marvel universe’s history unfold month by month as each issue provides synopses for dozens of individual comics, including back-up strips, introducing the characters, teams, places and equipment that appeared within, providing vital information about first appearances, where they last showed up and where they appeared next! 64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Index then, index now

Being away on vacation for the last two weeks, I missed that last wednesday was the release day for Avengers, Thor & Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe#3. You can read more about it here. Tomorrow is the release date for another index, this time the trade paperback edition of the Official Index entries to the Amazing Spider-Man. This will be in the same cool format as the Iron Man Index collection. You can learn more about tomorrow's index here!