The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #5

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 was Marvel's invaluable effort to keep fans current on the ever-expanding roster of characters populating their universe. Issue #5 assembles a striking cover parade of figures — a dark-caped, diamond-emblemed villain takes center stage, flanked by a feral blond powerhouse in fur trim, a silver-headed robotic figure, a blue-armored form, a radiant blond woman in green, a red-haired woman in purple, and even a pair of ordinary-looking elderly civilians — a wonderfully eclectic lineup that hints at just how wide a net this handbook casts. If you were following Marvel's sprawling continuity in 1989, this series was an essential companion.