A special is a one-off issue published outside a regular run: an anniversary book, a giant-size issue, a holiday anthology, or a tie-in to a larger event. Publishers use the format for material that does not fit an ongoing schedule. VerseDB catalogs each as its own series so its creators, cover, and release date stay attached to the right book rather than being absorbed into a run it was not part of.
Comic Book Specials
1,369 series • Page 15 of 46
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Official Handbook of the Ultimate Marvel Universe: The Fantastic Four & Spider-Man 2005 (2005)
Special
Marvel Comics
1 issue
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 (2005)
Special
Marvel Comics
1 issue
All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z: Update (2007)
Special
Marvel Comics
4 issues
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Golden Age Marvel 2004 (2004)
Special
Marvel Comics
1 issue
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: The Women of Marvel 2005 (2005)
Special
Marvel Comics
1 issue
Top publishers for Special
1,369 series catalogued, published between 1921 and 2026.
- Marvel Comics 450 series
- DC Comics 130 series
- World Distributors 49 series
- Fleetway 41 series
- IDW Publishing 37 series
- IPC Magazines Ltd. 34 series
Longest runs for Special
- X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) 142 issues
- Marvel Age (1983) 140 issues
- DC Digital Comics Sneak Peeks (2011) 138 issues
- Marvel's Voices Infinity Comic (2022) 100 issues
- The Dandy Annual (1938) 84 issues
- The Beano Annual (1939) 83 issues
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Special FAQ
- How is a special different from a one-shot?
- Mostly in how the publisher labels it. Specials are usually tied to an existing title or event, while one-shots stand alone. VerseDB keeps the publisher's own classification.
- Are annuals filed as specials?
- Recurring annuals get their own series with multiple issues. A single anniversary or giant-size book with no follow-up is filed as a special.
- Do specials appear in story arcs?
- Yes, when they belong to one. Event tie-in specials show up in the arc's reading order alongside the main issues.
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