Now comes the hardest part - going back to the original purpose of this thread and deciphering the Handbook's placements of events. As I wrote way back, I already suspected that many of these events (though they are placed weird) don't conflict with any character's chronologies besides Nightmare since he's mostly a solo character (with the exception of one comic I'll describe down below). If there are any unforeseen changes, don't hesitate to let me know. This will only go to the events of Fantastic Four: True Story (since the rest of the events afterwards look fine to me). I will also not cover my Champions and Hulk (though I'm starting to change my mind on the latter) proposals here since they are covered above.
I can definitely say no to the Over the Edge #7 switch. See further below.
I believe the rest looks good.
The MCP correctly lists Nightmare's appearance in DS2 34-FB as the flashback of him training Cyrus Black. However, first, Nightmare is revealed to be the source of Cyrus's power to dream things to life. This takes place after Doctor Strange 182 but just slightly after the birth of the Defenders.
DS 181
DS 182
DEF 6-BTS <---- ADD
M/PRM 3
MHDS /2-BTS
Next, as an interesting change, the Handbook states "Nightmare brought the sorcerer Cyrus Black, whom he had empowered years ago, to his realm and taught him new ways of magic. With his current scheme against Strange taking form, Nightmare refused to help the Dweller-in-Darkness, who in return stole the dream image of Barbara Robb, turning her into his agent Dream Weaver."
2. His meeting with the Dweller in Darkness while he created Dream Weaver was while Nightmare was training Cyrus Black
There is not much time between the two stories. Actually none, but part of Cyrus Black's history in the issue is a flashback so it had to happen at some point in the past. It could be placed far earlier. Maybe shortly after Defenders #6 (1973), but then there i the story in Tales to Astonish #13/2 (1980), which actually predates Doctor Strange #34 chronologically (after Defenders #66 (1978)), so the flashback in #34 had to be more recent. I decided to place it right before Nightmare telling the Dweller to sod off.
With this, it has to be set before DS2 32 since that was when Dream Weaver was created.
DS2 13
DS2 34-FB <--- MOVE TO HERE
DS2 32
DS2 33
DS2 34-FB ---> MOVE FROM HERE
DS2 34
Edit: This was actually briefly discussed on the Chronology Project a few years ago:
https://www.chronologyproject.com/phpbb ... are#p66820
One of two options was given
michel wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 6:53 pm
StrayLamb, concerning TTA2 13/2, you've put it before DS2 34 (10)-FB, Cyrus Black meeting Nightmare, fine.
For Nighthwak, you've put it after DEF 61-68, but it's in conflict with Nightmare having DS2 34 (10)-FB before DS2 32, because:
Cyrus Black has TTA2 13/2 before DS2 34 (10)-FB
Nightmare has DS2 34 (10)-FB before DS2 32-33
Dr. Strange has DS2 32-33 before A@ 8
Iron Man has A@ 8 before DEF 63
Nighthawk has DEF 61-68 and DEF 119-FB before TTA2 13/2
That can be corrected either by putting DS2 34 (10)-FB between DS2 33 and 34 for Nightmare, or by putting TTA2 13/2 between DS2 29 and DEF 61 for Nighthawk. Nighthawk can't have TTA2 13/2 after DEF 119-FB, because Strange has DEF 119-FB after DS2 34, Cyrus Black death. So TTA2 13/2 can be after DEF 68 for Nighthawk, first option, or before DEF 61, second option, I let you choose the one you prefer.
Unfortunately, the wrong one was placed. As such, the Nighthawk index will also have to be changed to reflect this.
NIGHTHAWK/KYLE RICHMOND
DS2 29
TTA2 13/2 <- MOVE TO HERE
DEF 61
DEF 62
DEF 63
DEF 64
DEF 65
DEF 67
DEF 68
DEF 119-FB
TTA2 13/2 -> MOVE FROM HERE
FF@ 14
In Incredible Hulk 298, Nightmare reveals that he's been messing with Hulk's dreams. More specifically, there's a flashback of him choosing which Defender to pick (before settling on Hulk). Not only that, Nightmare is implied to have been manipulating the dreams of the Hulk since Incredible Hulk #292. Hulk is shown dreaming in #292, 293, and 294.
IH2 298-FB <- ADD
IH2 292-BTS <- ADD
IH2 293-BTS <- ADD
IH2 294-BTS <- ADD
IH2 297
IH2 298
IH2 299
Nightmare's second encounter with Ghost Rider is put before the Hulk and D'Spayre story
AF 70
GR3 11 <--- MOVE TO HERE
IH2 360
M/FAN 51/2
XCAL 29-FB-BTS
XCAL 29
M/CP 79/4
GR3 11 ---> MOVE FROM HERE
Deathlok is set after his encounter with Doom, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider. This next section is too complicated to make individual moves for, so I'll just make it one giant list of how I would write it. M/CP 90 is the starting point since, while not mentioned in the Handbook, it was narrating the origin of the Fangu. Any changed comics will be bolded.
M/CP 90/4
DLOK2 9
DLOK2 10
DSSS 31/2
DSSS 32/2
DSSS 33/2
DSSS 38
DSSS 39
DSSS 40
SLEEP 12
The next change is that his battle with Amora is before MCP. This is noted to be an error in the Chronology Project's part:
Thor 451 and 452 are put before Marvel Comics Presents 117-122.
MCP #117-122 was published after Thor #451-452. The MCP story ran from the end of 1992 (117-118) to the beginning of 1993 (118-122). Thor #451-452 was September to October, 1992.
SOV 2-BTS
GR3 30
T 451/2
T 452/2 <--- MOVE TO HERE
M/CP 117-BTS
M/CP 118
M/CP 119
M/CP 120-BTS
M/CP 121
M/CP 122
T 451/2
T 452/2 ---> MOVE FROM HERE
MORB:LV 8
Now, as noted above, there is one area where the Handbook is wrong (at least that we know of). They placed Over the Edge 7 right after the events of Nightmare the comic. Initially, the writer defended this. However, it was later noted that it was incorrect:
I did not know about the mention in Sorcerer Supreme #79 until you mentioned it now. I just checked and it is there staring me right in the face.
I now also realize why Over the Edge #7 has to be after Sorcerer Supreme #79. Doctor Strange didn't use catastrophe magic and the outfit he wore in Over the Edge #7 until Sorcerer Supreme #80 (after he participated in the War of the Seven Spheres between the issues and behind the scenes).
Magik's battle with the Archenemy is put after the Marvel Knights story arc (though both our own master list and the Handbook entry states that they were around nearly the same time):
BP3 22
MGK2 1 ---> MOVE FROM HERE
M/K 8
M/K 9
MGK2 1 <--- MOVE TO HERE
IH3 77-BTS | cf. IH3 81
As I noted with the Doc Samson comics, the /2 stories are always meant to take place before the /1 parts. In particular, the entry says "Nightmare's first demons arriving on Earth-616 during this invasion were stopped by Samson's allies Jack Holyoak, Tina Punnett, and Living Totem (Whistle Pig), who had opposed Nightmare at some undisclosed point in the past.
While the Handbook never said exactly when the encounter took place, certain continuity clues can give a good estimation. In Doc Samson (Vol. 2) #1, Doc Samson first encountered the Whistle Pig and was able to restrain him. He was then taken to Samson's New York headquarters to be healed, eventually becoming an ally of the Doctor, such as in Doc Samson (Vol. 2) #2. The Whistle Pig along with the Doc and a few others had traveled to Vegas by the start of Doc Samson (Vol. 2) #4, which led to their battle with Nightmare's demons during his invasion. With all this in mind, this encounter should take place sometime after Doc Samson (Vol. 2) #1 but before Doc Samson (Vol. 2) #4.
DOCSAM2 5/2 <-- MOVE TO HERE
DOCSAM2 4
DOCSAM2 5
DOCSAM2 5/2 ---> MOVE FROM HERE
FF:TS 3-FB
And yes, this doesn't destroy continuity. It's such a niche story. Also, it never made that much sense to me that it was set after since it takes place in Samson's New York headquarters.
I've reviewed the rest of the list with my personal index, and it all looks fine. Let me know if there's anything that isn't right.