People like me who haven't really followed the Marvel comics during the last few years will surely appreciate this supplement. It presents the state of Marvel Earth circa 1998, listing various locations, nations and bases ranging from Matt Murdock's old townhouse to the Blue Area of the Moon. Like the comics themselves, the majority of this guide focuses on the USA, but it is also useful for campaigns set elsewhere. If nothing else, the locations described can be used to model similar sites in other countries.
The book is divided into the following sections (some examples of each are given):
- Defender: hero bases (the Avengers Mansion, Four Freedoms Plaza)
- Diplomatic: foreign nations (Genosha, Latveria)
- Guardian: superhero-related government institutions (Riker's Island, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters)
- Nefarious: supervillain bases (Fisk Tower, Hellfire Club)
- Non-Combatant: civilian locations (Daily Bugle, Roxxon Oil Company)
- Vigilante: non-sanctioned hero bases (Xavier Institute for Higher Learning)
- Wondrous: special locations (Atlantis, Attilan, Savage Land)
The book is written from the viewpoint of S.H.I.E.L.D., which in my opinion adds character to the text and helps to avoid a dry, encyclopedic feel. At the end of each covered topic there is a clearly separated box with game statistics for relevant persons (HYDRA goons, Latverian guards) and pieces of equipment (Sentinels, vehicles of the Fantastic Four). Also, in case the S.H.I.E.L.D. information is somewhat incomplete or misleading, the Narrator is given the full scoop here.
I found the Guide very useful even though my campaign is set in Europe. The writing is entertaining and clear, the layout attractive and the use of a S.H.I.E.L.D. narrator an effective dramatic device. Those who read Marvel comics religiously probably know a lot of the information within already, but for everyone else this supplement should be a valuable purchase, second only to The Reed Richards Guide To Everything. The only downside is the fact that there is a lot to say about the Marvel Earth and you can fit only so much into 128 pages. I would have liked to have some more pages devoted to the biggest organizations even if it meant dropping some of the minor places. HYDRA, for example, only receives the same two pages as the Green Goblin's lair. On the other hand, Latveria and S.H.I.E.L.D. are covered particularly well, and every hero should dread entering the Doctor's land because of the Latverian Home Rule: the value of every card played from the Doom Bank is doubled while adventuring in Latveria!
Overall, a very good product which I can recommend without hesitation.
Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)
