The Official Marvel Index is a series of comic books released by Marvel Comics which featured synopses of several Marvel series. The books were largely compiled by George Olshevsky (who was for fourteen years the sole owner of a complete collection of Marvel superhero comics dating from Marvel Comics #1, published in 1939), and featured detailed information on each issue in a particular series, including writer and artist credits, characters who appeared in the issue, and a story synopsis. A similar series of indices was published for DC Comics.
Publication history The Official Marvel Index was preceded by the Marvel Comics Index (also compiled by Olshevsky) and distributed by Pacific Comics Distributors sporadically from 1976 to 1982. These books were magazine-sized as opposed to comic-sized.
The first Official Marvel Index titles were published in 1985, and produced regularly through August 1988. A second series of two titles was published in 1994–1995.
In 2008, Marvel announced that a new Marvel Index series would commence publication in 2009. Titled Official Index to the Marvel Universe, the first issue was published in January 2009, with a monthly release schedule. The new series focuses primarily on Marvel's most prominent characters. The first volume ran 14 issues and focused on Spider-Man, Iron Man and the X-Men. The second volume began in May 2010 and focused on the Avengers, Captain America (including Golden Age issues) and Thor (including Journey into Mystery, where Thor premiered). A third started in August 2011, focusing on Wolverine, The Punisher, and Ghost Rider. Each featured title is later collected separately into a digest-sized trade paperback with additional issues not featured in the monthly book.
Bibliography of Marvel Index series The Marvel Comics Index Published by Pacific Comics Distributors 1976 - 1982
+Marvel Comics Index #1 - 9B#TitleSynopsesCover artistMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1The Amazing Spider-ManAmazing Adventures #1-6, Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14, Amazing Fantasy #15, The Amazing Spider-Man #1-151 and Annuals #1-9, The Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #1-2, Amazing Spider-Man Mini Comic (Eye Magazine promo), Giant-Size Super-Heroes #1, Giant-Size Spider-Man #1-6, and Spidey Super Stories #1-14Ronn SuttonJanuary 197682$3.952Conan and the BarbariansConan The Barbarian #1-61 and Annual #1, Giant-Size Conan #1-5, Savage Sword of Conan #1-10 and Annual #1, Ka-Zar (1st series) #1-3, Ka-Zar (2nd series) #1-15, Kull the Conqueror #1-15, Kull and the Barbarians #1-3, Savage Tales #11 and Annual #1, Chamber of Chills #1-21, Chamber of Darkness #1-8 and Special #1, Monsters on the Prowl #9-30, Tower of Shadows #1-9 and Annual #1, Creatures on the Loose #10-37, and Worlds Unknown #1-8Tim ConradMarch 197698$4.503The Avengers, Defenders, and Captain MarvelAll Winners #19 and 21, Mystic Comics #4, Black Knight #1-5, Avengers #1-151 and Annuals #1-5, Giant-Size Avengers #1-5, Captain Marvel #1-46, Giant-Size Captain Marvel #1, Weird Wonder Tales #7, Defenders #1-39, and Giant-Size Defenders #1-5Neal AdamsAugust 1976116$4.504Fantastic FourDaring Mystery Comics #6, Marvel Boy #1-2, Astonishing #3-6, Fantastic Four #1-180 and Annuals #1-11, Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1-6, Human Torch #1-8, and Silver Surfer #1-18Jim SterankoJuly 197798$4.955The Mighty ThorJourney into Mystery #83-125, Thor #126-266 and Annuals #1-6, Giant-Size Thor #1, and Tales of Asgard #1 November 197794$4.506Heroes from Strange TalesStrange Tales #1, 25, 74, 75, 77, 79, 89, 101–188, and Annuals #1-2, Doctor Strange (1st series) #169-183, Doctor Strange (2nd series) #1-27 and Annual #1, Giant-Size Doctor Strange #1, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-18, S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-5, and Warlock #1-15Tim ConradDecember 197794$3.957AHeroes from Tales to Astonish Book 1: The Incredible HulkIncredible Hulk #1-6, Tales to Astonish #1, 13, 15, 27, and 35–101, Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #102-227 and Annuals #1-7, Giant-Size Hulk #1, and Rampaging Hulk #1-10Ken SteacyJune 197894$3.957BHeroes from Tales to Astonish Book 2: Sub-MarinerMarvel Mystery Comics #4,10, and 82, Sub-Mariner Comics #1-42, Namora #1-3, Sub-Mariner (1968) #1-72 and Annuals #1-2, Astonishing Tales #1-36, Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1-2, Super-Villain Team-Up #1-14, Giant-Size Invaders #1, and Invaders #1-32 and Annual #1Bill Everett / Dean MotterJuly 197894$3.958AHeroes from Tales of Suspense Book 1: Captain AmericaCaptain America Comics, The Yellow Claw #1-4, Tales of Suspense #39-99, Captain America #100-235 and Annuals #1-4, Giant-Size Captain America #1, and Marvel Treasury Special: Captain America's Bicentennial BattlesJim SterankoDecember 1979102$5.508BHeroes from Tales of Suspense Book 2: Iron Man and OthersIron Man & Sub-Mariner #1, Iron Man #1-118 and Annuals #1-4, Giant-Size Iron Man #1, Amazing Adventures (1970's series) #1-25, Inhumans #1-12, The Claws of the Cat #1-4, Ms. Marvel #1-21, Nova #1-23, Omega the Unknown #1-10, and Skull the Slayer #1-8Ken Steacy December 1979104$4.509AX-MenThe Uncanny X-Men #1-152 and Annuals #1-5, Giant-Size X-Men #1-2, Amazing Adventures (vol. 3) #1-14, Ghost Rider #1-63, and Champions #1-17Brent Anderson / Steve Oliff / Terry AustinApril 1982112$5.959BDaredevilDaredevil #1-181 and Annuals/Specials #1-4, Giant-Size Daredevil #1, Marvel Adventure #1-6, Jungle Action/Black Panther #1-24, Black Panther #1-15, Shanna the She-Devil #1-5, Black Goliath #1-5, The Human Fly #1-19, and Dazzler #1-14Frank Miller / Josef Rubinstein / Steve OliffApril 1982110$5.9510Marvel Showcase and Team-Up comics--listed in issue #9B, but publication cancelled--11Short Run Heroes----12AMartial Arts Heroes----12BWar Heroes----13AMarvel's Monsters----13BMarvel's Vampires----14Marvel's Reprint Comics----
The Official Marvel Index Vol. I Published by Marvel Comics 1985 - 1988
+The Official Marvel Index to the Amazing Spider-Man #1-9 #SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Amazing Fantasy #15, The Amazing Spider-Man #1-214, The Amazing Spider-Man Annuals #1-14, The Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #1-2, Giant-Size Super-Heroes #1, Giant-Size Spider-Man #1-6April 1985 - December 198532$1.00232$1.25332$1.25432$1.25532$1.25632$1.25732$1.25832$1.25932$1.25
+The Official Marvel Index to Fantastic Four #1-12#SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Fantastic Four #1-214, Fantastic Four Annuals #1-13, Giant-Size Super-Stars #1, Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2-6December 1985 - January 198732$1.25232$1.25332$1.25432$1.25532$1.25632$1.25732$1.25832$1.25932$1.251032$1.251132$1.251232$1.25
+The Official Marvel Index to Marvel Team-Up #1-6 #SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Marvel Team-Up #1-112, Marvel Team-Up Annuals #1-4January 1986 - July 198732$1.25232$1.25332$1.25432$1.25532$1.25632$1.25
+The Official Marvel Index to X-Men #1-7#SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Uncanny X-Men #1-138, Uncanny X-Men Annuals #1-3, Ka-Zar #2-3, Marvel Tales #30, Amazing Adventures (vol. 2) #11-17, X-Men Classics #1-3, Giant-Size X-Men #1-2, Classic X-Men #1-21, Marvel Treasury Edition #26-27, Bizarre Adventures #27, Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1, Phoenix: The Untold Story #1, Amazing Adventures (vol. 3) #1-14May 1987 - July 198848$2.95248$2.95348$2.95448$2.95548$2.95648$2.95748$2.95
+The Official Marvel Index to Avengers #1-7#SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Avengers #1-145, Avengers Annuals #1-5, Marvel Super Heroes #17, Ka-Zar Quarterly #1, Kree-Skrull War starring the Avengers #1-2, Defenders #8-11, Giant-Size Avengers #1-5June 1987 - August 198848$2.95248$2.95348$2.95448$2.95548$2.95648$2.95748$2.95
The Official Marvel Index Vol. II Published by Marvel Comics 1994 - 1995
+The Official Marvel Index to X-Men #1-5#SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1X-Men #1-51April 199432$1.952X-Men #52-122, Giant-Size X-Men #1, X-Men Annual #1-2May 199432$1.953X-Men #123-141, Uncanny X-Men #142-177, Special Edition X-Men #1, Uncanny X-Men Annual #3-7 June 199432$1.954Uncanny X-Men #178-234, Uncanny X-Men Annual #8-12July 199432$1.955Uncanny X-Men #235-287, Uncanny X-Men Annual #13-15August 199432$1.95
+The Official Marvel Index to Avengers #1-6#SynopsesMonth of publ.PagesOrig. price1Avengers #1-60Avengers Annuals #1-20, Giant-Size Avengers #1-5October 199432$1.952Avengers #61-122November 199432$1.953Avengers #123-176December 199432$1.954Avengers #177-230January 199532$1.955Avengers #231-285February 199532$1.956Avengers #286-333March 199532$1.95
Official Index to the Marvel Universe Published by Marvel Comics 2009 - 2012