Publisher Wiley is planning a new series of its “Dummies” books, this time designed to be comprehensive and accessible guides to various topics in Marvel comics. Given Marvel’s decades-long history and the multitude of alternate timelines or universes that have been introduced over the years, this series of guides should prove useful and entertaining for both new and old readers.
The series is scheduled to be released next year and will consist of six issues. First of all Marvel Comics for Dummies (written by Troy Brownfield) and Captain America for Dummies (written by Stuart Moore) are scheduled for release in February 2025. Previews of the books can be found further down in this article. Other planned titles will cover the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Spider-Man, and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There are a few notable exceptions, such as the X-Men, who may be too complex (or nonsensical, depending on your point of view) to be reduced to this book series.
Comments from Jennifer Yee, Editor-in-Chief at Dummies: “We are thrilled to be working with Marvel to bring the Marvel Universe to fans in Dummies’ signature style of accessible, friendly storytelling. For new fans looking for an introduction to the Marvel comics universe, and for superfans alike, this series of books will serve as an accessible reference guide to some of Marvel’s most popular and enduring superheroes.”
Official loglines for the first two books follow:
Marvel Comics for Dummies is a comprehensive reference and definitive introduction to the vast comic book catalog of the most legendary comic book publisher in history. Marvel Comics For Dummies introduces readers of all ages to the most important Marvel comic book characters, their superpowers, strengths, weapons, allies and enemies, and much more.
Readers will be introduced to the major storylines that have been woven into Marvel comics for decades and will learn the essential facts and basic backstories needed to understand how the comics and characters relate to each other. Along the way, readers will learn all about popular characters like Iron Man, Wolverine, Black Panther, Thor, and Captain Marvel.
Troy Brownfield, author of Marvel Comics For Dummies, is editor-in-chief of the Saturday Evening Post and the children’s magazines Jack & Jill and Humpty Dumpty. A comics expert and fan, Troy has written and created content for DC Comics, Comiccon.com, Fangoria Comics/Graphix, comics for Zenescope Entertainment, and trading card writing for Topps Trading Cards, including content from the HALO series and Star Wars 2018-present.
Captain America for Dummies introduces readers to Captain America, the character and story of the comic book originally published in 1940.
The book takes readers through the origin story of Captain America, telling how civilian Steve Rogers became a superhero thanks to a secret government project and a dose of super-soldier serum, and how others, including Sam Wilson, took on the role of Captain America over time.
Stuart Moore, author of Captain America For Dummies, is the author of the Marvel Crisis Protocol novels Target: Kree and Into the Dark Dimension (Aconyte Books), three volumes of the bestselling middle grade series The Zodiac Legacy (Disney Press), created and co-written by Stan Lee, and co-author of that series. He is also co-founder of the prestigious Vertigo imprint at DC Comics, where he won the Will Eisner Award for Best Editor.
Stay tuned for further updates, including descriptions of the next books as they come out. Marvel Comics for Dummies And Captain America for Dummies will be released in February 2025.
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