The 2020 Essential Marvel Age Companion, 1961-1977

Everything You Wanted To Know About The Marvel Age of Comics...But Were Afraid to Ask!

This book, a PDF, began at the dawn of the Marvel Age. This  book  refers to the real, original comics and was written when the comics were originally published, over sixty years ago.  Of course, it’s been updated.   As fans of the movies and comics know, Marvel had a shared Universe and heroes and villains popped up in many books. The full descriptions of the thousands of comics were actually written when the comics were originally published. 

I include decades of original comments and quotes by the Marvel creators made just for this publication. They include: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Tony Isabella, Jim Steranko, Rich Buckler, Dick Ayers, Joe Sinnott, Julius Schwartz, Carmine Infantino and several others. 

Stan Lee really really liked this book! (makes me feel great.!)  In fact, he included this book when he donated his papers!

Jim Steranko wrote me to say, “Your overview of the genre is spectacular--and elevates Marvel history to areas that have not yet been defined by so many others.  Congratulations, amigo!”

By making the book a PDF I did not have to limit its size - this is over 1,400 pages! There are over 1,000 images, scanned from the original comics! 

This 1,400 page PDF contains:

There is a list of ALL the comics and the artist who drew EVERY COVER along with the street date for every comic. There is also a similar section for the Magazines!!! (See below)

An entry for every single comic and story of the Marvel Age 1961-1977. 

It has a full description of each story, complete credits including the cover artists; the publication AND the street date, important facts plus references to other comics when necessary. These are full descriptions, not a synopsis so the stories are NOT spoiled and surprises not revealed. Important: I abide by the “Temporal Prime Directive!” That is, since these descriptions were all written at the time the comics were actually published, I do not reveal future events, so nothing is spoiled. I also use a five-star rating system for each comic.

The Magazine Section features the contents of the Marvel Magazines of the 1970s. I stress its connection the Marvel Age comics.

A Timely History of Marvel: 

Starting at the beginning of the 20th century, this section lists the important events that lead us up to and carries us through the Timely, Atlas and Marvel Ages. There is also a chart for each year listing what comics were published and when they were published.  It emphasizes the contributions and importance of Lee, Kirby and Ditko and in later years, Jim Steranko who took Marvel out of the cold war.  It containing a grid for each year, starting in 1939 and listing every Marvel comic published.  It describes the business of comics and behind the scenes material, as well as what was going on in the actual comics at the time. It is followed by many essays on the rise of Marvel, the creation of the M.U. and even the decline of Marvel in the mid 1970s.  After all the Marvel Age does end.

The Character Map: 

For over 1,000 heroes and villains, it lists their appearances in chronological order and displays each comics publication date.

                                                 Being There: A Memoir of the Marvel Age: 

To me, my favorite part of the book.  It looks back at the Silver Age of Comics and what it was like living through the Marvel Age.

Not Necessarily the Marvel Age:

 Marvel published many comics and magazines not associated  with their comics.  This includes a magazine on Streakers (believe it or not); Evel Knievel, Pussycat, Captain Britain, Spidey Super-Stories, MarvelMania, FOOM and many others.

There are sections on the Marvel Value Stamps, In-House Ads of Marvel Merchandi$e; a listing of all Timely/Atlas comics; Credit section that lists the individual credits of the creators, a reading order,  and much more.

       If you don’t like the book, I’ll give you your money back. Really!!!!!

This book has been 60 years in the making. 

Introducing: Jack Kirby

Back then I used to say that sI enjoyed reading the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men etc. 

I then began to realize I enjoyed reading that it was Lee, Kirby, Ditko and Heck.  Marvels were re-readable so I kept them. 

 DC comics seemed to be aimed at younger readers, I was growing older and DC was not growing with me. Marvel was. The difference in writing and plotting between the two companies is demonstrated throughout the book.

.   I would keep track of the history of each title, listing the series, name changes and anything else that cropped up. 

 I left a lot out,  discover and be surprised. 

No history of Marvel could ever be complete without mentioning the fate of Irving Forbush and that nearly completes the book. 

The book is available for downloading. Look for the PayPal button on your RIGHT side, towards the top.