Membership: Mister Schwed, various other employees

Purpose: To publish books

Affiliations: Phil Sheldon

Enemies: None shown (perhaps rival book publishers?)

Base of Operations: New York City, New York

First Appearance: Marvels#2 (February, 1994)

History: (Marvels#2) - Newspaper photographer Phil Sheldon met with Mister Schwed, the publisher from Empire Books to discuss the possibility of a book of photographs taken by Mr. Sheldon. Mister Schwed expressed some interest, but was unsure about the success of a book of just photographs. Just as Mister Schwed said this, the Human Torch flew by the office window and created the Fantasti-Flare above the city. Noticing the amount of people flocking to see the Human Torch, Phil reminded Mister Schwed about how citizens in Chicago, San Diego, or Peoria might react upon seeing his photographs. Mister Schwed agreed and told Phil that Empire Books would contact his agent to discuss the terms of the book's publishing. Mister Schwed then asked Phil who should write the text in the book and Phil replied that he thought he should write it. Schwed told Phil that if he could bring back a chapter sample that it was a done deal and Phil left the Empire Books office a happy man.

 (Marvels#4 - BTS) - Empire Books published Phil Sheldon's book entitled Marvels.

 (Marvels#4) - Mister Schwed appeared with Phil at a book signing to celebrate the publishing of Marvels. Schwed was amazed at the book's success and started talking with Phil about a sequel. Days later, Mister Schwed phoned Phil and informed him that the sequel had been set up, which he suggested should be about super-villains instead of heroes this time.

Comments: Created by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross.

Profile by Proto-Man

Clarifications:

Empire Books has no known connection to

• Empire-1, of Earth-UV-also known as Supra, @ Prototype (UV)#5
• Empire-7, of Earth-UV-Vietnamese ultra, @ Prototype (UV)#5
• Empire Chemical Enterprises, multinational corporation, @ Super Soldiers (UK)#1
• Empire Hotel, massive hotel built by Kong Lomerate on Swamp City boardwalk, @ Howard the Duck II#7
• Empire State University, New York college attended by Peter Parker and others, @ Amazing Spider-Man I#31

MISTER SCHWED
Mister Schwed was the publisher for the Empire Books publishing company. Phil Sheldon came to him to present the idea of making a book of photographs about super-heroes. Schwed at first didn't think the idea would sell but after seeing the Human Torch outside his building, he changed his mind. Once the book was published, Schwed attended a signing with Phil to promote the book and profits were so good, Schwed immediately began thinking of an idea for a sequel. Soon after, Schwed phoned Phil to ask him about doing a book about super-villains.

--Marvels#2 (4

images:

Marvels#2, p8, pan5 (Empire Books building)
Marvels#4, p20, pan5 (Mister Schwed)

Marvels#4 (April, 1994) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Alex Ross (artist)

Last updated: 09/18/05

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

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