Earth-98

In the Marvel Comics Multiverse, Earth-98 or Earth 98 is similar to Earth-616, the primary home to superheroes seen in canonical Marvel comic books, except that they began their careers during their debuts on the comic book with a publication date rather than beginning their career "ten to fifteen years ago" (e.g. Spider-Man began his adventures in 1962 instead of 199?), which is the official "dating" scheme in Marvel Comics. This Earth is sometimes referred to as "Earth-1961", a reference to the year Fantastic Four made its comic debut. This Earth was designated as Earth-98 in The Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005, a probable reference to its debut in the 1998 Fantastic Four Annual.
The timeline between 1961 to 1973 has similar dating points until the events of Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #121-122 in which Spider-Man "vanishes" following the deaths of Gwen Stacy and Green Goblin rather than remaining active like his Earth-616 counterpart. While the timeline diverged significantly from Earth-616 after that point, parallels to the events of "Onslaught" and the emerging of Wolverine are still part of Earth-98 continuity.
Major characters
Captain America
Captain America has the same history as his Earth-616 counterpart until he sacrificed his life to save hundreds of civilians in Oklahoma.
Dr. Strange
Dr. Strange is the same as his Earth-616 counterpart but has aged a little.
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four had similar adventures up until the time of Spider-Man's "disappearance." After his vanishing, Human Torch married Crystal who gave birth to their son Cosmic Ray (presumably Ray Storm) and also had a daughter Luna (similar to her Earth-616 counterpart, except that she nicknamed herself "Spike" and is not daughter to Quicksilver). Franklin Richards (who then becomes "Zero Man") then married Zawadi of Wakanda and had a daughter N'Yami.
However, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm had fought in the Second World War, of which the events were depicted in Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos.
Frightful Four
This Team composed of Wizard, Blastaar, Quicksand, and the mysterious villain known as Hooded Haunt are still foes of Fantastic Four.
Hulk
Hulk is similar to his Earth-616 counterpart until he died in 1996 of a heart attack at the age of 70 years old.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is similar to his Earth-616 counterpart except that he abandoned his career following the deaths of Gwen Stacy and Green Goblin, and disappeared without a trace. In the mainstream timeline, Spider-Man does not abandon his career.
Thor
Thor is similar to his Earth-616 Counterpart and presumably still a member of The Avengers.
Wolverine
Wolverine is similar to his Earth-616 counterpart and remained active as X-Men member.
Early Sightings of Earth-98
Earth-98 is effectively first seen in Marvel Comics from 1961 to 1973, and comic books involving Reed Richards and Ben Grimm's World War II background (which never took place on Earth-616). Otherwise it does not appear to have appeared in print since it was first identified in the 1998 Fantastic Four Annual.

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