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Cover: Ron Frenz & Bob Layton
Essential Marvel Saga #1
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This volume collects the first half of the Official Marvel Saga, a comprehensive overview of the early Marvel Universe continuity, originally published as a 12-issue series in the mid-1980s. It presents a streamlined, in-universe history of key events and characters from the Silver Age, from the origins of the Fantastic Four through the early adventures of the Avengers and other major heroes. Presented in Marvel's black-and-white Essential format, it serves as a narrative timeline for readers seeking a cohesive chronicle of Marvel's foundational stories.
Contains 12 stories
Book I: The Saga Begins...!
GalactusWatchersSkrullsKreeCelestialsEternalsDeviantsSentryInhumansConanHerculesBlack Knight [Sir Percy of Scandia]Kid ColtRawhide KidNight RiderTwo-Gun KidUnion JackBaron BloodSgt. Nick FuryDum Dum DuganHowling CommandosNamor the Sub-MarinerHuman Torch [Jim Hammond]ToroCaptain America [Steve Rogers]BuckyRed SkullNazisTony Stark [Iron Man]General RossBruce Banner [the Hulk]Betty RossHank PymDon Blake [Thor]Charles XavierJean GreyDoctor StrangeMatt MurdockFoggy NelsonPeter Parker [Spider-Man]Flash ThompsonFantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]The Thing [Ben Grimm]Invisible Girl [Sue Storm]Human Torch [Johnny Storm]] (origin of all)Nathaniel RichardsAlbert EinsteinDaniel GrimmVictor Von DoomGormuuMole Man (origin)James MacDonald Hudson [VindicatorGuardian] (origin)Jerry JaxonHeather McNeilLogan [Wolverine]Maria PymHank Pym [Ant Man] (origin)Skrulls
Book II: Transformation and Rebirth!
Spider-Man [Peter Parker]Hulk [Bruce Banner]Namor the Sub-MarinerFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the ThingInvisible Girl]SkrullsAunt MayUncle BenFlash ThompsonCrusher Hoganthe Miracle ManIgor StarskyGeneral Thunderbolt RossBetty RossRick Jonesthe Gargoyle [Yuri Topolov]
Book III: A Gathering of Dooms!
Sub-MarinerHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]KullDeviantsKamuuZartraTha-KorrFenLeonard MckenzieHuman Torch [Jim Hammond]Betty DeanNamoraByrrahDormaPaul DestineGigantoThe ThingInvisible GirlMr. FantasticHulkRick JonesGeneral Thunderbolt RossBetty RossToad MenWerner Von DoomDr. DoomBorisValeriaSpider-Man [Peter Parker]BurglarCharles Xavier
Book IV: Of Gods and Mutants
CyclopsCharles XavierJuggernautMagnetoJack O' DiamondsHavokCorsairThorAnt-Man [Hank Pym]Dr. DoomNamor the Sub-MarinerFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible GirlHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the Thing]
Book V: Terror in the Skies!
X-Men [AngelIceman]Thor [Donald Blake]LokiOdinFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible GirlHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the Thing]Namor the Sub-MarinerAnt-Man [Hank Pym]Hulk [Bruce Banner]Circus of Crime [RingmasterPrincess Pythonthe Clown]General Thunderbolt RossRick JonesHeimdallLaufeyKurrgoWizard
Book VI: Love, Hate... And Sacrifice!
X-Men [IcemanCyclopsProfessor X]Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantasticthe ThingHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]Invisible Girl]Puppet MasterAlicia MastersThor [Donald Blake]Artur ZarrkoOdinSurturYmirBuri [Tiwaz]BorBestiaViliVeMalekith the AccursedHelaJord [Mother Earth]FriggaLokiAnt-Man [Hank Pym]ProtectorIron Man [Tony Stark]Wong-ChuProfessor Ho Yinsen
Book VII: The Ties That Bind!
Spider-Man [Peter Parker]J. Jonah JamesonIron Man [Tony Stark]Professor Ho YinsenWong-ChuJames RhodesThor [Donald Blake]LokiHulk [Bruce Banner]Rick JonesAlicia MastersFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible GirlHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the Thing]ValeriaPhineasZemuAnt-Man [Hank Pym]EggheadJane FosterAunt MayJohn Jameson
Book VIII: Fateful Encounters!
Spider-Man [Peter Parker]Fantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible GirlHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the Thing]X-Men [CyclopsAngelIceman]Iron Man [Tony Stark]Dr. DoomNamor the Sub-MarinerThor [Donald Blake]Hulk [Bruce Banner]Impossible Man
Book IX: Look to the Skies...!
X-Men [CyclopsAngelIcemanProfessor X]VultureSpider-Man [Peter Parker]J. Jonah JamesonAunt MayKreeSkrullsFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible GirlHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]the Thing]UatuWatchersRed GhostNamor the Sub-MarinerThor [Donald Blake]Radioactive ManAnt-Man [Hank Pym]WaspDr. OctopusPuppet Master
Book X: To Stand United!
X-Men [CyclopsMarvel GirlAngelIcemanBeastProfessor X]Avengers [Iron Man [Tony Stark]Ant-Man [Hank Pym]WaspHulk [Bruce Banner]Thor [Donald Blake]]LokiFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible Girlthe ThingHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]]Dr. StrangeBaron MordoAncient OneDr. DoomSpider-Man [Peter Parker]Sandmanthe LizardNightmareNamor the Sub-MarinerMagnetoFlash ThompsonDr. OctopusBetty BrantHarry OsbornLiz AllenLady Dorma
Book XI: Days of Power!
X-Men [CyclopsMarvel GirlAngelIcemanBeastProfessor X]MagnetoAvengers [Iron Man [Tony Stark]Giant-Man [Hank Pym]WaspHulk [Bruce Banner]Thor [Donald Blake]]Jack Frost [Gregor Shapanka]Pepper PottsHappy HoganJane FosterMolto the Lava ManOdinLokiFantastic Four [Mr. FantasticInvisible Girlthe ThingHuman Torch [Johnny Storm]]Pharaoh Rama-TutScarlet CenturionKang the ConquerorImmortusCobraVanisherRick JonesSpace Phantomthe WatcherMolecule ManBeyonderMister DollHate Monger [Adolf Hitler]Spider-Man [Peter Parker]VultureNick FuryHowling Commandos [Dum Dum DuganGabe JonesPercival PinkertonRebel RalstonDino ManelliIzzy Cohen]Baron Wolfgang von StruckerNamor the Sub-MarinerArnim Zola
Book XII: A Legend Reborn!
Captain America [Steve Rogers]Red SkullX-Men [CyclopsAngelMarvel GirlIcemanBeast]BlobMandarinSpider-Man [Peter Parker]ElectroAvengers [Thor [Donald Blake]Giant-Man [Hank Pym]WaspIron Man [Tony Stark]]Namor the Sub-MarinerHulk [Bruce Banner]Mole ManOdinMr. HydeDr. DoomThe EnforcersBlack KnightHuman Torch [Jim Hammond]Union JackSpitfireBuckyBaron ZemoCalvin Zabo
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Essential Marvel Saga, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
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Full credits
writer Peter Sanderson
writer Stan Lee
writer Larry Lieber
writer, artist, inker John Byrne
writer H. E. Huntley
artist Ron Frenz
artist Jack Kirby
artist Ron Wilson
artist Sal Buscema
inker Al Milgrom
inker George Klein
inker Don Heck
inker Dick Ayers
inker Joe Sinnott
inker Hilary Barta
inker Brett Breeding
colorist Paul Becton
colorist George Roussos
letterer Brenda Mings
cover pencils Ron Frenz
cover inks Bob Layton
Reprints
↩ Reprints The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #1 (1985), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #2 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #3 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #4 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #5 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #6 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #7 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #8 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #9 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #10 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #11 (1986), The Marvel Saga the Official History of the Marvel Universe #12 (1986)
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