Reddit mentions of Marvel Encyclopedia

I don't really think so. The whole point of Cortex Plus, especially Marvel Heroic, was they fixed the balance so that a lone secret agent without any powers (Black Widow) really COULD become a match for a super hero like Wolverine or Cyclops or Spiderman.

Because the game wasn't based on amount of power so much as amount of narrative control. So it's very easy to play a group of secret agents, just normal well trained people, who could take on thugs and maybe a super hero or two.

But FATE is a good system, I'm not saying to use Marvel Heroic. I'm just saying that the Marvel books had a large list of heroes and characters from all over. They have SHIELD and HYDRA, they have everyone from New Warriors (which is still sort of low level) to even Great Lakes Avengers (Squirrel Girl!). The Annihilation books cove cosmic stuff and the Civil War covered a lot of lesser known, weaker characters. But it's your opinion, if you don't want to touch the already completed work Margaret Weis did good justice on before they lost the license, that's your choice.

For other material to draw from, I bought both the Marvel and DC Encyclopedias from DK. Cortex Plus and FATE are both extremely easy to generate stats for. So these books add all the flavor and atmosphere I need in supers game.

But if you are really just want conspiracy level action I suggest a few non super hero works. The Blacklist on NBC is a phenomenal show about agents, double agents, politics, and conspiracy. Which is what the Winter Soldier film was and how the AoS show has changed. As well, I just watched the Raid 2 and it's fucking amazing. You can just switch out a couple of the characters in that movie with super villains and it would fit so well to marvel. Lastly, there is all the other Whedon productions like Doll House and Buffy which can all read very similar, as well as shows like La Femme Nikita and Alias. Anything that has investigators who cannot reveal their identity and are trying to deal with super villains or terrorist plots. So anything from True Detective to Believe or The Following or Crisis all are ample ground for stories.

In fact, I work in television and I am forced to watch about 30 hours a week of crime shows with agents doing investigations. Outside of work I watch a few shows that I actually like. I read a lot too. So all I can suggest is to pull from everywhere that seems right. Anything about someone breaking the law, even if they think it's righteous, and the agencies that are trying to protect the public.

> He has literally talked backstory though an entire two hour Marvel movie but doesn't even own a comic book.

Some people are just more interested in the lore than the actual comics, especially since the older stuff can be a chore to read.

Sidenote for people interested in getting into comics: This is a prime example of what I mean by "determining your intent/commitment". If you're more interested in encyclopedic superhero universe knowledge than the nuances of quality comic writing/art, then youtube videos and wiki summaries are MUCH more efficient at getting you up to speed.

There are the Marvel Encyclopedia and DC Encyclopedia books. Some have complained about minor printing/details errors, but I'm not sure if that was before the "updated and revised" or "All-New" editions. They have positive reviews.

Otherwise, if you want to get some actual comics, you can get him a subscription to Marvel Unlimited ($10/month, $70/year for nearly all but latest comics). If you want print physical books, you'd have to decide whether you'd be OK getting getting the first few volumes of a long series or if you'd just like to focus on self-contained story arcs/single-publication graphic novels.

I'd probably purchase this because it's something I probably wouldn't purchase otherwise, yet it's something cool to have on the bookshelf and to read.

Buy the Mavel encyclopedia(s).

One

And sometimes they have one for specific characters.

TWO

Edit: hyperlinking on mobile not working right now. Sorry for the long URLs


Edit edit: all good.

You're welcome, but I'd recommend the one somebody else posted in this thread, mine is newer, but it is kind of a letdown. I did read the other one as PDF, but please if you like it, buy it.

https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Encyclopedia-Matt-Forbeck/dp/1465415939/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D77PP8M6979PFMKWY381

https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Encyclopedia-Matt-Forbeck/dp/1465415939/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D77PP8M6979PFMKWY381

Maybe not the same.

Well, just searching Amazon real quick, the latest X-Men guide I can find is from 2006: http://amzn.com/0756620058

The most recent Marvel Encyclopedia was just published this year: http://amzn.com/1465415939

So the Marvel Encyclopedia might be your best bet if you want the most up to date info.

My next book out will be the latest edition of the Marvel Encyclopedia, from DK. My next novel will be the second book in my YA Monster Academy series, I Will Not Burn Down the School.

After that, I'm writing a novel for the Exalted RPG and then Loot Drop, an original novel I sold to Tor.

My local Newbury Comics is having a 50% off everything sale so I got it from there! But here's a link I found from amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Encyclopedia-Matt-Forbeck/dp/1465415939

Just got the most recent edition of the Marvel Encyclopedia myself. It's a gorgeous book, but by no means all encompassing. There are simply too many characters and events for a any single book to cover. I'm not aware of any recent X-men guides, sadly.