The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #6

The sixth installment of Marvel's ambitious encyclopedic series covers the alphabet from Kang to Man-Bull, and the cover — penciled by Ed Hannigan and inked by Joe Rubinstein — makes a strong visual case for just how wild that range of characters is. A dynamic, crowded composition features a bare-chested blond warrior, a leopard-skin-clad fighter, Magneto in his distinctive helmet and cape, the time-conquering Kang in his purple suit, and a swirl of smaller figures filling every corner with energy. For any fan who wanted a serious, well-organized reference to the Marvel Universe as it stood in 1983, this issue delivers a satisfying chunk of the roster in one place.