With this series of posts I plan to make notes on every entry in Update ‘89. The format is not intended to be consistent with any published indices but it will be consistent more or less with any future such indices I do on the other Handbooks. I’m hoping this will provide info on the various entries that you can’t find anywhere else.
 
The format will be as follows:
 
Issue number and date
Cover Artist (if the same for multiple issues, only the first instance listed)
Writers (if the same for multiple issues, only the first instance listed)
 
Entry name (page count in parentheses)
Writer (only if can be determined for the specific entry)
Main Art Credits (and original source of the art; for this category and the next, artists with multiple names are listed as originally credited):
Secondary Art Credits, if applicable (and original source of the art):
Notes (if applicable)
 
Update ‘89 Edition notes:
Indicia title is Official handbook of the Marvel Universe, Vol. 3
Since in most profiles all art is original, Main and Secondary Art will only be separated out in cases where reprinted art has been known to have been used. Josef Rubenstein is the inker for most entries, so usually only the penciller is listed by entry.
References to Roman numerals match those used in the entry,
For most individual characters, unless otherwise noted, the categories are Real name, Occupation, Identity, Legal status, Other current aliases, Former aliases (latter two if applicable). Place of birth, Marital status, Known relatives, Group affiliation, Base of operations, First appearance, First modern appearance (if different), Origin (titles, not background), History, Height, Weight, Hair, Eyes, Unusual features (if applicable), Strength level, Known superhuman powers. Additional categories if applicable: Other abilities, Former superhuman powers, Weapons, Transportation, Limitations
 
#1 July 1989
Cover: Ron Frenz (pencils), Josef Rubenstein (inks) through #8. Entire contents through #8 reprinted in B&W in Essential Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update ‘89
Writer: Peter Sanderson through #5
Note: Inside front cover has a small cartoon from an unidentified artist.
 
From the Doghouse (¼)
Writer: Gregory Wright
Notes: Text only, no art; introduces this edition and says six issues were announced (eight were published) and that the Appendix would be published right after (this never happened)
 
Adversary (2)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Alliance of Evil (1)
Art Credits: James Brock
Notes: ¼-page sub-entries on Frenzy, Sttinger, Timeshadow
 
Alraune, Marlene (2)
Art Credits: Sal Velluto
 
Ammo (1)
Art Credits: John Romita, Jr.
 
Ani-Mator (1)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
 
Apocalpyse (2)
Main Art Credits: Walt Simonson
Secondary Art Credits: Walt Simonson, new; Rob Liefeld, new
 
Apocalpyse’s Horsemen (1)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
Notes: ¼-page sub-entries on Famine, War
 
Arcanna (2)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Archangel (2 1/3)
Main Art Credits: Walt Simonson
Secondary Art Credits: Rob Liefeld, new
 
Arclight (2/3)
Art Credits: Gavin Curtis
 
Ariel (1)
Art Credits: Coleen Doran
 
Astro, Vance (2)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Astronomer (1)
Art Credits: Ron Lim
 
Banner, Betty Ross (2)
Art Credits: Jeff Purves
 
Battlestar (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Beyonders (1)
Art Credits: none; just text and a blank space
 
Bird-Brain (1)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
 
Black Fox (1)
Art Credits: Todd McFarlane
 
Blade (1)
Art Credits: Tom Palmer
 
Blizzard II (1)
Art Credits: Bob Layton
 
Bloodscream (1)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Boom-Boom (2)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
 
Box IV (3)
Art Credits: Jim Lee
 
Bullet (1)
Art Credits: John Romita, Jr.
 
Bullseye (2)
Art Credits: John Romita, Jr.
 
Bushman (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Bushwacker (1)
Art Credits: Rick Leonardi
 
Byrrah (2)
Art Credits: Rich Buckler
 
Cabe, Bethany (2)
Art Credits: Mark Bright
 
Captain Britain (2)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Cat (2)
Art Credits: Mike Manley
 
Cat People (1)
Art Credits: Rodney Ramos
 
Chameleon (1)
Art Credits: Todd McFarlane
Notes: An incorrect version of the text was used in error; the correct version appears in #3
 
Data Corrections (1)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition
 
#2 August 1989
Note: Inside front cover has a small cartoon from Steve (Geiger?)
 
From the Doghouse (¼)
Writer: Gregory Wright
Notes: Text only, no art; more introductions
 
Champion of the Universe (1)
Main Art Credits: Ron Wilson, first series #2
Secondary Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Chance I (1)
Art Credits: Bob Budiansky
 
Chance II (1)
Art Credits: Colleen Doran
 
Chemistro (2)
Art Credits: James Brock
 
Cheney, Lila (2)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Collins, Rusty (1)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
 
Comet Man (2)
Art Credits: Kelly Jones
 
Commission (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Cooper, Dr. Valerie (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Crazy Gang (1)
Art Credits: Ron Lim
Notes: Art includes headshots
 
Crichton, Jacqueline Falsworth (2)
Art Credits: Evan Dorkin
 
Crimson Commando (1)
Art Credits: Marc Siry
 
Damage Control (1)
Art Credits: Ernie Colon
 
Darkhold (2)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice, Mike Harris
Notes: No image stands out as a main image
 
Dean, Laura (1)
Art Credits: Jim Lee
 
Defenders/Dragon Circle (2)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
Notes: Art mostly headshots
 
de la Fontaine, Contessa Valentina Allegra (1)
Art Credits: Paul Neary
 
Demolition-Man (2)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Destroyer (3)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Devil Dinosaur (1)
Art Credits: Colleen Doran
 
Doctor Bong (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
Doctor Doom II (2)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Doctor Spectrum I (3)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Dominus (1)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Dominus’s Minions (1)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
Notes: Art includes headshots
 
Dragon of the Moon (1)
Art Credits: Steve Buccellato
 
Drake, Frank (1)
Art Credits: James Brock
 
Dreaming Celestial (1)
Art Credits: Mike Harris
 
Dreamqueen (2)
Art Credits: Jim Lee
 
Dugan, Dum Dum (2)
Art Credits: Paul Neary
 
Earth Force (1)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
Nptes: ¼-page sub-entries on Earth Lord, Skyhawk, Wind Warrior
 
Ecstasy (2)
Art Credits: Mike Vosburg
 
Data Corrections (5/9)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition
 
Marvel Assistant Editors Fan Awards for 1988 (1/9)
Writer: Sara Tuchinsky
Notes: Text only, no art; mock ballot
 
Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards for 1988 (1/3)
Notes: Text only, no art; actual ballot
 
#3 September 1989
Note: Inside front and back cover have a small cartoon from Steve (Geiger?)
 
Eon (1)
Art Credits: Mark Gruenwald
 
Excalibur (1)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Fallen Angels (1)
Art Credits: Colleen Doran
 
Fasaud (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Fin Fang Foom (1)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
 
Force (2)
Art Credits: Bob Layton
 
Foreigner (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Foster-Kincaid, Jane (2)
Art Credits: Don Heck
 
Four Freedoms Plaza (3)
Art Credits: Eliot R. Brown
Notes: Text, exterior, maps

Frightful Four (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
Notes: Images are headshots
 
Garokk the Petrified Man (2)
Art Credits: Kevin Maguire
Notes: Misspelled Garrokk in contents
 
Gateway (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Genosha (2)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
Notes: Include headshots
 
Ghost (2)
Art Credits: Bob Layton
 
Giants of Jotunheim (2)
Art Credits: Javier Saltares
Notes: Include headshots
 
Goblyn (1)
Art Credits: Jim Lee
 
Gomi (1)
Art Credits: Colleen Doran
 
Gosamyer (2)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
Notes: Spelled Gosymer in Contents
 
Great Beasts (2)
Art Credits: Rodney Ramos
 
Griffin (1)
Art Credits: Geoff Senior
 
Grog the God Slayer (1)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
 
Growing Man (1)
Art Credits: Rich Buckler
 
Halflife (1)
Art Credits: Scott Williams
 
Hammerhead (2)
Art Credits: Alex Saviuk
 
Harpoon (1)
Art Credits: Geoff Senior
 
Headlok (1)
Art Credits: Joe Jusko
 
Headmen (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
Notes: ¼-page sub-entries on Chondu the Mystic; Negan, Dr. Arthur; Ruby Thursay; Morgan, Dr. Jerold
 
Hobgoblin (2)
Main Art Credits: Todd McFarlane
Secondary Art Credits: Todd McFarlane, new; Tom Morgan, new
 
Hodge, Cameron (1)
Art Credits: Javier Saltares
 
Horton, Phineas T. (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
Notes: Horton’s return from the dead later revealed to be a Space Phantom
 
Hulk (3)
Main Art Credits: Todd McFarlane
Secondary Art Credits: Steve Geiger, new
 
Chameleon (2/3)
Art Credits: Steve Geiger?
Notes: Art isn’t of the Chameleon but a cartoon depicting Geoffrey Wright explaining how the wrong Chameleon entry appeared in #1.
 
Data Corrections (2/3)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition
 
#4 October 1989
 
Note: Inside front cover has a small cartoon from an unidentified artist.
 
Human Torch I (2)
Art Credits: Jack Abel
 
Hyperion I (3)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Infectia (2)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
 
Iron Fist (2)
Art Credits: Dave Dockrum
 
Iron Man (4)
Art Credits: Bob Layton
Notes: Contents misspell Layton’s surname Clayton; includes armour schematics
 
Jade Dragon (2)
Art Credits: Vince Mielcarek
 
Jarvis, Edwin (1)
Art Credits: Marc McLaurin
 
Jones, Gabe (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Jubilee (1)
Art Credits: Jim Fern
 
Kala (1)
Art Credits: Marc Siry
 
Kaluu (2)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Killraven (2)
Art Credits: P. Craig Russell
 
Killraven’s Freemen (1)
Art Credits: Gavin Curtis
Notes: ¼-page sub entries on Frost, Carmilla; Old Skull; M’Shulla
 
Kubik (4)
Art Credits: Mike Harris
 
K’un-Lun (1)
Main Art Credits: Eliot R. Brown, first series #6
Secondary Art Credits: Eliot R. Brown, first series #6; Mary Jo Duffy, ???
 
Leech (1)
Art Credits: Rob Liefeld
 
Leeds, Betty Brant (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Left-Winger (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Leir (1)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
 
Lobo, Carlos (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Living Mummy (1)
Art Credits: Kerry Gammill
 
Lumpkin, Willie (1)
Art Credits: Richard Howell
 
Mackenzie, Al (1)
Art Credits: Mike Pollard
 
MacTaggart, Moira (1)
Art Credits: Rodney Ramos
 
Madame Hydra (1)
Art Credits: Paul Neary
Notes: While madame Hydra’s name is spelled correctly, Hydra is misspelled HYDRA
 
Madame Web (1)
Main Art Credits: John Romita Jr., first series #6
 
Maddicks, Artie (2)
Art Credits: Rob Liefeld
 
Madripoor (1)
Art Credits: Mike Harris
Notes: Art is headshots
 
Maison Alpha
Art Credits: Marc McLaurin
Note: Art is floor maps
 
Manikin (2)
Art Credits: James Brock
 
Data Corrections (1)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition
 
Atlanteans (capsule)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors related to Atlanteans
 
#5 November 1989
 
Note: Inside front and back covers have cartoons from an unidentified artist. The latter cartoon shows part of a Mordred image being erased, possibly intended for a profile that fell through.
 
Marauders (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
Notes: Includes headshots
 
Mason, Louise
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
Master Menace (2)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Master Mold (2)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
 
Max (2)
Art Credits: Kelly P. Corvese
 
Meggan (1)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Mister Jip (2)
Art Credits: Brett Blevins
 
Mister Sinister (2)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Molten Man (2)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Mongoose (1)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
 
Moon-Boy (2)
Art Credits: Colleen Doran
 
Naga (2)
Art Credits: Mark Bagley
 
Nanny (2)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
 
N’astirh (2)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Nelson, Foggy (2)
Art Credits: Gregory Wood
 
Neville, Kate (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Night Shift (2)
Main Art Credits: Mike Harris, new
Secondary Art Credits: Mike Harris, new; ???, new
Notes: Contents page says ‘Mike Harris & Co”; ¼-[age sub-entries on Misfit, Needle, Digger, Dansen Macabre, Ticktock
 
North, Dakota (1)
Art Credits: Marc McLaurin
 
Numinus (1)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
Notes: Numinus resembles Whoopy Goldberg; in Contents, the last letter is omitted from Bogdanove’s surname
 
Orphan-Maker (1)
Art Credits: Walt Simonson
 
Osborn, Harry (2)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Page, Karen (2)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Parker, May (2)
Art Credits: Mike Harris
 
Peregrine (1)
Art Credits: Don Heck
 
Persuasion (1)
Art Credits: Ron Lim
 
Pierce, Alexander Goodwin (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Plasma (1)
Art Credits: Rich Bucker
 
Poison (1)
Art Credits: Kelly P. Corvese
 
Power, Dr. James (2)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Power, Margaret (1)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Power Princess (2)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Data Corrections (5/6)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition
 
#6 Late November 1989
Writer: Peter Sanderson; Glenn Herding & Marcus McLaurin, Associate Writers
 
Notes: Inside front cover has cartoon from Kelly P. Corvese. Title didn’t go bi-weekly. Instead, the date was part of a process of bringing the cover date closer to the present.
 
Prowler (2)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Psylocke (2)
Art Credits: Mike Harris
 
Quantum (2)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Quicksand (2)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
 
Razorback (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
Reavers (2)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
Notes: Incluides headshots
 
Red Ghost’s Super-Apes (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
Red Skull (4)
Art Credits: John Byrne
Notes: Contents erroneously state that this was an entry for Red Skull II
 
Red Wolf II (2)
Art Credits: Javier Saltares
 
Rictor (1)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
 
Right (2)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
 
Right-Winger (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwayer
 
Rintrah (1)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Robertson, Joe (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Rocket Racer (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Roma (1)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Roughhouse (1)
Art Credits: John Buscema
 
Runner (2)
Art Credits: Marshall Rogers
 
Satannish (2)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Saturnyne (2)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Savage Land (3)
Main Art Credits: Eliot R. Brown
Secondary Art Credits: Eliot R. Brown, new; ???
Notes: Text and maps; non-map art does not appear to be Brown
 
Scalphunter (1)
Art Credits: Marc Silvestri
 
Scarlet Centurion (2)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Scrambler (1)
Art Credits: Marc Silvestri
 
Sefteon, Amanda (2)
Art Credits: June Brigman
 
Serpent Society (3)
Art Credits: Kiron Dwayer
Notes: headshots plus ¼-page sub-entries on Black Racer, Boomslang, Coachwhip, Puff Adder, Rock Python
 
Data Updates (1)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in the Deluxe Edition, followed by updates in same
 
#7 December 1989
 
Writer: Peter Sanderson; David Wohl & Marcus McLaurin, Associate Writers to #8
 
Notes: Inside front cover has cartoon from Howard Mackie (pencils) & Bobbi Chase (inks)
 
Set (3)
Art Credits: Mark Bagley
 
Seth (2)
Art Credits: Ron Frenz
 
Shadowmasters (1)
Art Credits: Dan Lawlis
 
Shalla-Bal (1)
Art Credits: Ron Lim
 
SHIELD II (1)
Art Credits: Keith Pollard
 
Silver (1)
Art Credits: John Calimee
 
Sisters of Sin (1)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Skids (1)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
 
Slug (1)
Art Credits: Cindy Martin
 
Solo (2)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Speedball (1)
Art Credits: Steve Ditko
 
Spellbinder (2)
Art Credits: Marc Siry
 
Spyder (2)
Art Credits: Brett Blevins
 
Storm, Alicia Masters (1)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
Notes: Relationship/marriage to Johnny Storm proved to be an imposter.
 
Sundragon (2)
Art Credits: James Brock
 
Sunstroke (2)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Super Sabre (1)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Supreme Soviets (2)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Swarm (2)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
S’ym (2)
Art Credits: Bret Blevins
 
Tarantula II (1)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Tarr, Black Jack (1)
Art Credits: David Day
 
Tess-One (1)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Technet (2)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Thompson, Flash (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Tombstone (2)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Topaz (2)
Art Credits: Jackson Guice
 
Trader (1)
Art Credits: Ron Lim
 
Trick Shot (1)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Tiger Tiger (2)
Art Credits: Marcus McLaurin
 
Typhoid Mary (2)
Art Credits: John Romita Jr.
 
Tyrak (1)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
(untitled)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers updates to the Deluxe Edition
 
#8 Late December 1989
Notes: Inside front cover has cartoon from Marc Siry. Title didn’t go bi-weekly. Instead, the date was part of a process of bringing the cover date closer to the present.
 
U-Man (1)
Art Credits: Rich Bucker
 
Urich, Ben (1)
Art Credits: John Romita Jr.
 
U.S. Agent (3)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Utgard-Loki (1)
Art Credits: Sal Buscema
 
Vagabond (1)
Art Credits: Gavin Curtis
 
Venom (3)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Vertigo (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Vishanti (2)
Art Credits: Michael Mignola
 
Vision (3)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
Warwolves (1)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Watchdogs (1)
Art Credits: Kieron Dwyer
 
Watson-Parker, Mary Jane (4)
Art Credits: Erik Larsen
 
Whiteout (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Whizzer II (1)
Art Credits: Paul Ryan
 
Widget (1)
Art Credits: Alan Davis
 
Wildboys (1)
Art Credits: John Romita Jr.
 
Whiz Kid (1)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
 
Wolfpack (1)
Art Credits: Ron Wilson
 
Wong (2)
Art Credits: Michael Mignola
 
Worm (1)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Xemnu the Titan (3)
Art Credits: John Byrne
 
X-Factor Ship (1)
Art Credits: Paul Smith
 
X-Terminators (1)
Art Credits: Jon Bogdanove
 
Yashida, Mariko (2)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Young Gods (2)
Art Credits: Tom Sutton
 
Yukio (2)
Art Credits: Al Milgrom
 
Zaladane (2)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Deceased: Pryor, Madelyne (3)
Art Credits: Mark Silvestri
 
Data Corrections (1 1/3)
Notes: Text only, no art; covers errors in Update ‘89
 
Notes: 2/3 page Marvel Universe poster based on the covers to the original series on inside back cover

Last edited by Andy E. Nystrom (7/02/2020 6:25 pm)