Captain Britain: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Publishing history: I'll sort the Excalibur bits in a little while =)
Line 59: Line 59:


==Publishing history==
==Publishing history==
===Initial run (1976-1977)===
===British comics===
The ''Captain Britain'' title launched with some fanfare, even garnering reviews (albeit a negative ones) in ''[[The Financial Times]]''<ref name="auto4"/> and ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]]''.<ref name="auto7">{{cite magazine|last = Menzies| first= Robert| date = September 2015| number = 83|title=Captain Britain and the Moral Panic of 1976| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> ''Captain Britain'' #8 would introduce Brian's twin sister, model [[Betsy Braddock|Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock]], who was revealed to have psychic powers, with the following issue debuting [[Jamie Braddock]], their playboy racing car driving older brother. However, Claremont left the title after the tenth issue.<ref name="back29"/> His replacement was [[Gary Friedrich]], best known for his role in the creation of ''[[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]]''.<ref name="back29"/> Sales were moribund, and ''Captain Britain'' went to black-and-white from #24 to cut costs, attempting to soften the blow with another free gift - Captain Britain's lesser-spotted 'Superjet'. [[Alan Davis]] would also recall that - unknown to the American creative team - the 'lion mark' had previously been used by the [[Egg Marketing Board]] to denote the quality of eggs, leading to many jokes at the character's expense.<ref name="auto3">{{cite book|editor-last1=Nolen-Weathington |editor-first1=Eric |date=March 2007 |title=The Modern Masters Volume One: Alan Davis |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Alan_Davis/IVJ5zwEACAAJ? |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|isbn=9781893905191}}</ref> In a 1986 article for ''[[Amazing Heroes]]'', N.A. Collins named Captain Britain's first costume among the six worst male superhero looks in comic history up to that point, noting the "weird sunroof mask" and the "tacky Avon jewellery".<ref name=AH094>{{cite magazine|date=May 1, 1986|title=Dressed for Success|author=N.A. Collins|magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|publisher=[[Fantagraphics Books]]|number=94}}</ref>
{{Infobox comics meta series <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character =
|theme =
|title = Captain Britain
|character_name = <!-- If "character" is set -->
|image = <!-- filename format only -->
|imagesize = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption =
|alt =
|schedule = Weekly
|format = Magazine
|limited =
|anthology =
|graphicnovel =
|1shot =
|individual =
|titles = ''Captain Britain'' #1-39<br>''Super Spider-Man'' #231-253
|notable=y
|lang =
|genre = [[Superhero]]
| superhero = y
|Adaptation =
|Adapt_link =
|publisher = [[Marvel UK]]
| date = October 13, 1976 - July 6, 1977 <small>(''Captain Britain'')</small><br>July 13 - December 14, 1977 <small>(''Super Spider-Man'')</small>
| startmo = October
| startyr = 1976
| endmo = December
| endyr = 1977
|issues =
|main_char_team =
|writers = [[Chris Claremont]]<br>[[Gary Friedrich]]<br>[[Larry Lieber]]<br>[[Bob Budiansky]]<br>Jim Lawrence
|artists =
|pencillers = [[Herb Trimpe]]<br>[[John Buscema]]<br>[[Ron Wilson (comics)|Ron Wilson]]<br>[[Pablo Marcos]]
|inkers = [[Fred Kida]]<br>[[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]]
|letterers =
|colorists =
|editors = [[Larry Lieber]]
|creative_team_month =
|creative_team_year =
|creators =
|nonUS = y
|reprint =
|relang =
|relang# =
|TPB =
|ISBN =
|TPB# =
|ISBN# =
|subcat =
|altcat =
|alttop =
|sort =
|charsort =
|addpubcat# =
}}
The title launched with some fanfare, even garnering reviews (albeit a negative ones) in ''[[The Financial Times]]''<ref name="auto4"/> and ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]]''.<ref name="auto7">{{cite magazine|last = Menzies| first= Robert| date = September 2015| number = 83|title=Captain Britain and the Moral Panic of 1976| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> The strip was in full colour, and in keeping with the anthologies common on the British market featured only eight pages of ''Captain Britain'', with the magazine being filled out by reprints of ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' and ''[[Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (comic book)|Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]''. In common with another quirk of the British market, the first issue featured a free gift - a cut-out-and-wear paper version of the hero's mask.<ref name="back29"/> Marvel arranged a visit to the UK by Stan Lee to promote the title; however, it was ill-timed as British comics were soon to be caught up in a [[moral panic]].<ref name="auto7"/> Fleetway's anarchic ''[[Action (comics)|Action]]'' had rapidly grabbed British [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid]] attention with its' violent content, and was soon on the radar of [[Mary Whitehouse]], a self-appointed moral guardian of the British public. This led to questions about the medium being asked in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and Fleetway editor John Sanders being excoriated by host [[Frank Bough#Sex and drugs scandal|Frank Bough]] on the prime-time [[BBC One]] magazine show ''[[Nationwide (TV programme)|Nationwide]]''.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qD2xAAAACAAJ | isbn=9780753510803 | title=TV Cream: The Ultimate Guide to 70s and 80s Pop Culture | year=2005 | publisher=Ebury }}</ref> The British press, with little knowledge or interest in the medium, lumped ''Captain Britain'' in with ''Action'' despite its' more wholesome content, and Lee's whistle-stop tour also saw him questioned about the violence in comics.<ref name="auto7"/>

''Captain Britain'' #8 would introduce Brian's twin sister, model [[Betsy Braddock|Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock]], who was revealed to have psychic powers, with the following issue debuting [[Jamie Braddock]], their playboy racing car driving older brother. However, Claremont left the title after the tenth issue; accounts differ as to whether this was due to the logistical difficulties of working on the title when [[fax]] and [[courier]] services were in their infancy,<ref name="auto4"/> or through disputes with title editor [[Larry Lieber]].<ref name="back29"/> His replacement was [[Gary Friedrich]], best known for his role in the creation of ''[[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]]''. Friedrich had also had a stint writing ''[[Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos]]'' and added the [[Nick Fury|modern incarnation of the lead]] to ''Captain Britain'' as a guest character; subsequent storylines featured [[Captain America]] and the [[Red Skull]], firming up the strip's connection to the [[Marvel Universe]]. In ''Captain Britain'' #17, Friedrich also established the British equivalent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] - Special Tactical Reserve for International Key Emergencies or [[S.T.R.I.K.E.]] for short.<ref name="back29"/>

Due to most of the staff involved having only visited Britain as tourists, stories attempted to appeal to a British audience by featuring prominent [[London]] location such as [[Heathrow Airport]], [[Regent Street]] and [[Big Ben]], or figures such as the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]], especially the forthcoming [[Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Silver Jubilee]] and then-[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[James Callaghan]], who made several guest appearances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-35915759|title=Essex Marvel superhero Captain Britain 'could be made into TV series'|date=29 March 2016|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> [[Paul Neary]] would later note that these were a major weakness of the series, doing nothing to tie the character to modern-day British readers. Sales were moribund, and ''Captain Britain'' went to black-and-white from #24 to cut costs, attempting to soften the blow with another free gift - Captain Britain's lesser-spotted 'Superjet'. [[Alan Davis]] would also recall that - unknown to the American creative team - the 'lion mark' had previously been used by the [[Egg Marketing Board]] to denote the quality of eggs, leading to many jokes at the character's expense.<ref name="auto3">{{cite book|editor-last1=Nolen-Weathington |editor-first1=Eric |date=March 2007 |title=The Modern Masters Volume One: Alan Davis |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Alan_Davis/IVJ5zwEACAAJ? |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|isbn=9781893905191}}</ref> In a 1986 article for ''[[Amazing Heroes]]'', N.A. Collins named Captain Britain's first costume among the six worst male superhero looks in comic history up to that point, noting the "weird sunroof mask" and the "tacky Avon jewellery".<ref name=AH094>{{cite magazine|date=May 1, 1986|title=Dressed for Success|author=N.A. Collins|magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|publisher=[[Fantagraphics Books]]|number=94}}</ref>
After 39 issues ''Captain Britain'' was merged with Marvel UK's [[Spider-Man]] reprint title, at the time called ''[[Super Spider-Man]]''.<ref name="back29"/> Meanwhile Captain Britain had already appeared alongside Spider-Man in America. Claremont was working on ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' with [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and decided to use the format as an introduction for Braddock via the device of him briefly rooming with Peter Parker. The two-issue storyline also saw the debut of [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]] and his [[Murderworld (comics)|Murderworld]].<ref name="back29"/> The character had been a conclusive failure for Marvel. As a result they realised that they needed to recruit from the British comic scene, and in August 1978 [[Stan Lee]] headhunted [[Dez Skinn]]. In what the specialist press called "the Marvel Revolution", Skinn insisted on funds being made available to make homegrown material.<ref>{{cite journal|title='Marvel Revolution' in England|journal=[[The Comics Journal]]|date=March 1979|issue=#45|pages=14}}</ref> Among his efforts was ''[[Hulk Comic]]'', a weekly styled like Marvel UK's rivals boys' comics. The title mixed reprints with new material, including a fantasy strip starring the [[Black Knight (Dane Whitman)|Black Knight]].<ref name="auto8">{{cite magazine|last = Millsted| first= Ian| date = May 2008| number = 28|title=The U.K. Hulk Comic| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> The serial was written by [[Steve Parkhouse]], who was deeply interested in Celtic and Arthurian myths, also drawing on the works of [[Ursula K. Le Guin]], [[Larry Niven]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]. This gave a perfect opportunity to reintroduce Captain Britain, now under a British-based creative team, with veteran [[John Stokes (comics)|John Stokes]] on art duties, later joined by [[Paul Neary]].<ref name="auto5">{{cite comic|title=Captain Britain - A Marvel Summer Special|date=1980|story=Of Legends, Dreams and Otherworld|writer=(uncredited)|publisher=[[Marvel UK]]}}</ref>
Sales failed to improve, and after 39 issues ''Captain Britain'' was merged with Marvel UK's [[Spider-Man]] reprint title, at the time called ''[[Super Spider-Man]]''. Captain Britain was initially featured on the front page of ''Super Spider-Man and Captain Britain'' #231 alongside the web-slinging hero, but as the weeks went on would occupy only a small corner of a handful covers. By this point Friedrich and Trimpe had also left and the strip would be subject to several creative teams made up of Marvel staffers, with contributors including Lieber, [[Bob Budiansky]] and [[Ron Wilson (comics)|Ron Wilson]], leading to a drastic fall in quality and consistency. A hardback annual, compiling selected reprints from the weekly title, was also produced.<ref name="back29"/>

Meanwhile Captain Britain had already appeared alongside Spider-Man in America. Claremont was working on ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' with [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and decided to use the format as an introduction for Braddock via the device of him briefly rooming with Peter Parker. The two-issue storyline also saw the debut of [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]] and his [[Murderworld (comics)|Murderworld]]. However it was not enough to raise any immediate interest in the character from American readers, and in Britain a black-and-white reprint of the ''Marvel Team-Up ''issues (split into three episodes apiece) ended Captain Britain's run in the pages of ''Super Spider-Man'', concluding in #253 (dated December 14, 1977) a little over a year after the character's debut.<ref name="back29"/>

===Revival (1979-1985)===
{{Infobox comics meta series <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character =
|theme =
|title = The Black Knight
|character_name = <!-- If "character" is set -->
|image = <!-- filename format only -->
|imagesize = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption =
|alt =
|schedule = Weekly
|format =
|limited =
|anthology = ''[[Hulk Comic]]''
|graphicnovel =
|1shot =
|individual =
|titles =
|notable=y
|lang =
|genre = [[Fantasy]]
| superhero = y
|Adaptation =
|Adapt_link =
|publisher = [[Marvel UK]]
| date = March 7th 1979 - 15 May 1980
| startmo = March
| startyr = 1979
| endmo = May
| endyr = 1980
|issues = 52
|main_char_team = [[Black Knight (Dane Whitman)|Black Knight]]<br>Captain Britain
|writers = [[Steve Parkhouse]]
|artists = [[John Stokes (comics)|John Stokes]]
|pencillers = [[Paul Neary]]
|inkers = [[John Stokes (comics)|John Stokes]]
|letterers =
|colorists =
|editors = [[Dez Skinn]]
|creative_team_month =
|creative_team_year =
|creators =
|nonUS = y
|reprint =
|relang =
|relang# =
|TPB =
|ISBN =
|TPB# =
|ISBN# =
|subcat =
|altcat =
|alttop =
|sort =
|charsort =
|addpubcat# =
}}

====''Hulk Comic''====
{{see also|Hulk Comic}}
The character had been a conclusive failure for Marvel. As a result they realised that they needed to recruit from the British comic scene, and in August 1978 [[Stan Lee]] headhunted [[Dez Skinn]], the force behind the [[Eagle Awards|Eagle Award]]-winning ''[[House of Hammer]]'' horror anthology. In what the specialist press called "the Marvel Revolution", Skinn insisted on funds being made available to make homegrown material.<ref>{{cite journal|title='Marvel Revolution' in England|journal=[[The Comics Journal]]|date=March 1979|issue=#45|pages=14}}</ref> Among his efforts was ''[[Hulk Comic]]'', a weekly styled like Marvel UK's rivals boys' comics. The title mixed reprints with new material, including a fantasy strip starring the [[Black Knight (Dane Whitman)|Black Knight]], a character Skinn had always liked but felt was a poor fit with the modern day America. Skinn believed readers at the time would take to Marvel superheroes better if they could be blended with more popular boys' comic genres, such as fantasy. <ref name="auto8">{{cite magazine|last = Millsted| first= Ian| date = May 2008| number = 28|title=The U.K. Hulk Comic| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> The serial was written by [[Steve Parkhouse]], who was deeply interested in Celtic and Arthurian myths, also drawing on the works of [[Ursula K. Le Guin]], [[Larry Niven]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]. This gave a perfect opportunity to reintroduce Captain Britain, now under a British-based creative team, with veteran [[John Stokes (comics)|John Stokes]] on art duties, later joined by [[Paul Neary]].<ref name="auto5">{{cite comic|title=Captain Britain - A Marvel Summer Special|date=1980|story=Of Legends, Dreams and Otherworld|writer=(uncredited)|publisher=[[Marvel UK]]}}</ref>

Brian Braddock made a cameo as an as-yet-unnamed figure of mystery in the first three-page episode. His identity was made clear in the fourth instalment, and after positive reader response Captain Britain's role in the story gradually increased, filling in some of the fictional backstory explaining his absence in the process.<ref name="auto5"/> ''Hulk Comic'' failed to sell as well as hoped and the number of original strips dwindled (with the title twice modifying its name in the process) but the popularity of ''The Black Knight'' saw it (aside from occasional breaks, at one point being replaced by a reprint of Captain Britain's origin from ''Captain Britain'' #1-2) continue until the title was finally folded into ''[[Spider-Man Comics Weekly|Spider-Man Comics]]'' in May 1980.<ref name="back29"/> It was the only strip to occasionally displace the Hulk from the front cover. <ref name="auto8"/> The same year did also see the publication of a one-off ''Captain Britain Summer Special'', reprinting selected issues of the 1976 series and some extant Black Knight material. Skinn would later describe the serial as "epic" and felt it was one of his proudest acheivements at Marvel.<ref name="auto8"/>
{{clear}}

====''Captain Britain'' strip====
{{see also|Jaspers' Warp|The Daredevils}}
{{Infobox comics meta series <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character =
|theme =
|title = Captain Britain
|character_name = <!-- If "character" is set -->
|image = <!-- filename format only -->
|imagesize = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption =
|alt =
|schedule = Monthly
|format =
|limited =
|anthology = ''[[The Mighty World of Marvel#Marvel Superheroes|Marvel Superheroes]]''<br>''[[The Daredevils]]''<br>''[[The Mighty World of Marvel]]''<br>''Captain Britain''
|graphicnovel =
|1shot =
|individual =
|titles =
|notable=y
|lang =
|genre = [[Superhero]]
| superhero = y
|Adaptation =
|Adapt_link =
|publisher = [[Marvel UK]]
| date = September 1981 - February 1986
| startmo = September
| startyr = 1981
| endmo = February
| endyr = 1986
|issues = ''[[The Mighty World of Marvel#Marvel Superheroes|Marvel Superheroes]]'' #377-388<br>''[[The Daredevils]]'' #1-11<br> ''[[The Mighty World of Marvel]]'' (Vol. 2)#7-16<br>''Captain Britain'' (Vol. 2) #1-14
|main_char_team =
|writers = [[Dave Thorpe]]<br>[[Alan Moore]]<br>[[Jamie Delano]]<br>[[Alan Davis]]
|artists = [[Alan Davis]]
|pencillers =
|inkers =
|letterers =
|colorists =
|editors = [[Paul Neary]]<br>[[Bernie Jaye]]<br>Ian Rimmer
|creative_team_month =
|creative_team_year =
|creators =
|nonUS = y
|reprint =
|relang =
|relang# =
|TPB =
|ISBN =
|TPB# =
|ISBN# =
|subcat =
|altcat =
|alttop =
|sort =
|charsort =
|addpubcat# =
}}

By then Skinn had quit Marvel UK, with Neary taking over as the offshoot's editor-in-chief.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Dez Skinn Leaves Marvel U.K.|journal=[[The Comics Journal]]|date=March 1980|issue=#54|pages=15}}</ref> He wanted to keep producing new material but there was very little money to fund it.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto">{{ Cite comic | writer=[[Alan Davis]] | story=Stick With It, It Gets Better | title=[[X-Men Archives featuring Captain Britain]] | issue=#1 | date=July 1995| | publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] }}</ref> Neary paused commissioning covers to free up resources to make a new ''Captain Britain'' feature for flagship anthology ''[[The Mighty World of Marvel#Marvel Superheroes|Marvel Superheroes]]'' (renamed from ''Mighty World of Marvel'' in September 1979). Even then he was only able to hire newcomers and turned to editor [[Dave Thorpe]], who had never written before, and [[Alan Davis]], an acquaintance of Neary's who had only recently turned professional with some short pieces published in ''[[Rampage (comic)|Rampage]]'' and ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]''.<ref name="auto3"/> Thorpe and Neary had already devised the idea of sending the character to a parallel Earth when Davis came onboard, while the character of [[Jackdaw (comics)|Jackdaw]] from ''The Black Knight'' was kept on at the editor's suggestion.<ref name="auto6"/> Davis was tasked with redesigning the lead character's costume with the stipulation to lose the clumsy sceptre, with the artist taking a cues from military uniforms in the new look and bulky out his physique. His unused concepts for the character would later be used for some of the Captain Britain Corps. The new team debuted in ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' #377, in September 1981;<ref name="auto3"/> it had initially been advertised as appearing in #375, but was hit by delays.<ref name="back29"/>

The combination of Thorpe and Davis initially seemed to work well, though Davis would later recall Thorpe's work was very experimental for the genre, reflecting he was ahead of his time. Among Thorpe's creations were the [[Crazy Gang (comics)|Crazy Gang]], [[Mad Jim Jaspers]] and [[Saturnyne]], as well as coining the use of the title "[[Earth-616]]" as the Marvel Universe's 'home' dimension (though it would not be used in print until after he had left). However, Thorpe would fall out with Davis and Marvel after only a few months when he wrote a story featuring Captain Britain resolving [[the Troubles]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. Davis felt this trivialised the issue to the point of offensiveness; Neary agreed and ordered Thorpe to re-write the story. The writer turned in the same script, modified only to use obvious anagrams in place of real names associated with the Troubles. Davis was infuriated and Neary again backed the artist, leading to Thorpe leaving the strip.<ref name="auto3"/> It would be his only published comics work.<ref name="auto6"/> His replacement was [[Alan Moore]], who had contributed stories to Marvel UK's ''[[Doctor Who Magazine|Doctor Who Weekly]]'' and ''[[Star Wars comics|Star Wars Weekly]]'' licensed titles.<ref name="auto3"/> The new team moved the strip in a darker tone, reconfiguring Jaspers as a powerful reality-warping mutant and introducing the unstoppable hero-killing cybiote [[Fury (Marvel Comics)|The Fury]].<ref name="back29"/> Jackdaw was killed off, and in ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' #388 Captain Britain seemed to join him.<ref name="back29"/>


Skinn quit Marvel UK, with Neary taking over as the offshoot's editor-in-chief.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Dez Skinn Leaves Marvel U.K.|journal=[[The Comics Journal]]|date=March 1980|issue=#54|pages=15}}</ref> Neary paused commissioning covers to free up resources to make a new ''Captain Britain'' feature for flagship anthology ''[[The Mighty World of Marvel#Marvel Superheroes|Marvel Superheroes]]''. Even then he was only able to hire newcomers and turned to editor [[Dave Thorpe]], who had never written before, and [[Alan Davis]], an acquaintance of Neary's who had only recently turned professional with some short pieces published in ''[[Rampage (comic)|Rampage]]'' and ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]''.<ref name="auto3"/> Thorpe and Neary had already devised the idea of sending the character to a parallel Earth when Davis came onboard, while the character of [[Jackdaw (comics)|Jackdaw]] from ''The Black Knight'' was kept on at the editor's suggestion.<ref name="auto6"/> Davis was tasked with redesigning the lead character's costume with the stipulation to lose the clumsy sceptre, with the artist taking a cues from military uniforms in the new look and bulky out his physique. His unused concepts for the character would later be used for some of the Captain Britain Corps. The new team debuted in ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' #377, in September 1981;<ref name="auto3"/> it had initially been advertised as appearing in #375, but was hit by delays.<ref name="back29"/>
This allowed the strip to cover the character's resurrection and history in a new title, ''[[The Daredevils]]'', in January 1983. The title's critical success allowed the page count of the ''Captain Britain'' strip to increase in page-count.<ref name="auto"/> In keeping with the heavier tone of the "[[Jaspers' Warp]]" storyline at the time, the anthology also featured reprints of [[Frank Miller]]'s acclaimed ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]]'' run and appearances by Marvel UK's masked vigilante [[Night Raven]]. Despite both the new title and the ongoing strip receiving good notices,<ref name="auto4"/> including an [[Eagle Awards|Eagle Award]], ''The Daredevils'' was a sales disappointment and was cancelled after 11 issues in November 1983, with Captain Britain transferring back to the relaunched ''Mighty World of Marvel''. Following the conclusion of the "Jaspers' Warp" storyline in June 1984, Moore left the series.<ref name="back29"/> The writer has stated that this was due to Marvel firing editor [[Bernie Jaye]]; however, Davis recalled that Jaye had resigned on her own terms, and that Moore had departed due to a financial dispute. Despite this, Moore still recalled enjoying the results of his work on the title, feeling it was overshadowed at the time by his work on ''Marvelman'' and [[V for Vendetta]]''.<ref name=KAM>{{cite book |last=Khoury |first=George |author-link= |date=2001 |title=Kimota! The Miracleman Companion |url= |location= |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |page= |isbn=9781605490274|chapter=Revival and Relevation}}</ref>


Meanwhile the character was also selected for a sizeable role in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions]]'', a crossover limited series published by Marvel UK's parent company. However, delays saw the title - originally created as to tie in with the [[1980 Summer Olympics]] - held back until 1982. Captain Britain was parachuted in to take the place of [[Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)|Captain Marvel]] in the story after the latter had been killed off in ''[[The Death of Captain Marvel]]''; however, at the time Marvel's New York bullpen was unaware of the redesign of the character, who appeared in his original costume throughout.<ref>{{cite magazine|last = Tandarich| first= Dan| date = June 2010| number = 41|title=The Story of Marvel's First Limited Series: Contest of Champions, a.k.a. Marvel's Road Not Taken to the 1980 Summer Oympics| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> A similar error was committed by [[Steve Ditko]] when Captain Britain made a brief cameo in 1985's ''[[ROM: Spaceknight]]'' #65.<ref name="back29"/>
Thorpe would fall out with Davis and Marvel after only a few months when he wrote a story featuring Captain Britain resolving [[the Troubles]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. Neary backed the artist, leading to Thorpe leaving the strip.<ref name="auto3"/> It would be his only published comics work.<ref name="auto6"/> His replacement was [[Alan Moore]] .<ref name="auto3"/> The new team moved the strip in a darker tone, reconfiguring Jaspers as a powerful reality-warping mutant and introducing the unstoppable hero-killing cybiote [[Fury (Marvel Comics)|The Fury]].<ref name="back29"/> Jackdaw was killed off, and in ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' #388 Captain Britain seemed to join him.<ref name="back29"/> This allowed the strip to cover the character's resurrection and history in a new title, ''[[The Daredevils]]'', in January 1983. The title's critical success allowed the page count of the ''Captain Britain'' strip to increase in page-count.<ref name="auto"/> Despite both the new title and the ongoing strip receiving good notices,<ref name="auto4"/> including an [[Eagle Awards|Eagle Award]], ''The Daredevils'' was a sales disappointment and was cancelled after 11 issues in November 1983, with Captain Britain transferring back to the relaunched ''Mighty World of Marvel''. Following the conclusion of the "Jaspers' Warp" storyline in June 1984, Moore left the series.<ref name="back29"/> Meanwhile the character was also selected for a sizeable role in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions]]'', a crossover limited series published by Marvel UK's parent company. However, delays saw the title - originally created as to tie in with the [[1980 Summer Olympics]] - held back until 1982.<ref>{{cite magazine|last = Tandarich| first= Dan| date = June 2010| number = 41|title=The Story of Marvel's First Limited Series: Contest of Champions, a.k.a. Marvel's Road Not Taken to the 1980 Summer Oympics| magazine = [[Back Issue!]]| publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref>


Davis would briefly take over writing the story himself until being joined by [[Jamie Delano]], an up-and-coming writer recommended by Moore, and [[Meggan (character)|Meggan]] was incorporated as a major supporting character. Neary had also left Marvel UK, being replaced by Ian Rimmer.<ref name="auto3"/> In January 1985 the serial was transferred back to a new ''Captain Britain'' monthly series; due to a growing interest in the resurgent British industry issues of this series were exported to America, unlike the first series.<ref name=AH070CIR>{{cite magazine|date=May 1, 1985|title=Comics in Review|last=Jones|first=R.A.|magazine=[[Amazing Heroes]]|publisher=[[Fantagraphics Books]]|number=70}}</ref> Sales were initially respectable but began to fall, while Davis felt Delano wasn't interested in the superhero genre and was also finding his own time to be taken up by a lucrative role as artist for DC's ''[[Batman and the Outsiders]]''. As a result he was given extra pages in ''Captain Britain'' #14 to tie up the storyline as the series ended in February 1986.<ref name="auto3"/> The serial's acclaim<ref name="auto4"/> and the growing reputation of its creators saw Marvel plan a reprint of the revival in anthology title ''[[Marvel Premiere]]''. However, British copyright law at the time was different to that of America; while Marvel owned Captain Britain, their British employees owned copyright to the stories they created for the title, and had to give permission for reprints. Moore, irritated to find out this had been bypassed for some of his ''Doctor Who'' work and a dispute over the character of [[Miracleman (character)|Marvelman]], refused to sign off on the reprints, ending the both the plans for American reprints and his professional relationship with Davis. As a reconciliatory gesture, Moore would eventually give permission for the material to be reprinted in 1995, and his storylines along with Thorpe's would be reprinted in the deluxe mini-series ''X-Men Archives featuring Captain Britain''.<ref name=KAD>{{cite book |last=Khoury |first=George |author-link= |date=2001 |title=Kimota! The Miracleman Companion |url= |location= |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |page= |isbn=9781605490274|chapter=Magic Words and Marvelmen}}</ref> The strips were coloured, and have since been collected in [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] form. Captain Britain meanwhile would appear as a guest character in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #305-306, with art from Neary.<ref name="back29"/><ref name="auto3"/>
Davis would briefly take over writing the story himself until being joined by [[Jamie Delano]], an up-and-coming writer recommended by Moore, and [[Meggan (character)|Meggan]] was incorporated as a major supporting character.<ref name="auto3"/> In January 1985 the serial was transferred back to a new ''Captain Britain'' monthly series. Sales were initially respectable but began to fall, while Davis felt Delano wasn't interested in the superhero genre and was also finding his own time to be taken up by a lucrative role as artist for Captain Britain meanwhile would appear as a guest character in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #305-306, with art from Neary.<ref name="back29"/><ref name="auto3"/>


===''Excalibur'' (1987-1998)===
===''Excalibur'' (1987-1998)===

Revision as of 19:22, 10 May 2023

Captain Britain
Textless variant cover of Excalibur (vol. 4) #14, depicting Brian Braddock as Captain Avalon (left) and Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain (right). Art by Jesus Saiz
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceBrian Braddock:
Captain Britain #1 (October 1976)
Betsy Braddock:
Captain Britain #8 (December 1976)
Debut as Captain Britain:
Captain Britain (vol. 2) #13 (January 1986)
Kelsey Leigh Kirkland:
The Avengers (vol. 3) #77 (Mar. 2004)
Debut as Captain Britain:
The Avengers (vol. 3) #80 (May 2004)

Captain Britain is a title used by various superheroes in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Excalibur. The moniker was first used in publication by Brian Braddock in Captain Britain #1 by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe,[1] and is currently held by Brian's twin sister, Betsy Braddock.[2]

The designation of the publisher's primary continuity as Earth-616, originated in Dave Thorpe, Alan Davis and Alan Moore's Marvel UK Captain Britain stories. The strip also established the multiversal Captain Britain Corps, members of which act as the champions of their own respective versions of the British Isles, which act as a nexus point between dimensions via Otherworld.[3]

Creation

Marvel UK, the British wing of Marvel Comics, had been established in 1972. In order to fit in with the style of British weeklies, titles such as The Mighty World of Marvel consisted of reprinted Marvel material in an anthology magazine format, with much of the colour removed. However, these failed to make a major impression on the market, which was dominated by titles of original British material from Fleetway Publications and DC Thomson.[4] In response, Marvel decided the line needed a British character as a flagship title. As Marvel UK itself was effectively a packaging operation at the time with no experienced creative staff[5] the character was devised at Marvel's American headquarters. London-born[5] Chris Claremont - at the time a rising star in the company following his successful work on the revival of X-Men - was one of the few Anglophiles on staff[6], and was assigned to the title. He came up with the name, origin and cast for the new title, Captain Britain. Art duties went to experienced Incredible Hulk artist Herb Trimpe, who lived in Cornwall at the time[5] and would recall the 8-page strips typically only took him a couple of days to draw.[4] The designer of the character's patriotic costume, complete with Heraldic lion rampant, is unknown; Trimpe has speculated it was John Romita.[4]

Publishing history

British comics

The Captain Britain title launched with some fanfare, even garnering reviews (albeit a negative ones) in The Financial Times[5] and The Daily Record.[7] Captain Britain #8 would introduce Brian's twin sister, model Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock, who was revealed to have psychic powers, with the following issue debuting Jamie Braddock, their playboy racing car driving older brother. However, Claremont left the title after the tenth issue.[4] His replacement was Gary Friedrich, best known for his role in the creation of Ghost Rider.[4] Sales were moribund, and Captain Britain went to black-and-white from #24 to cut costs, attempting to soften the blow with another free gift - Captain Britain's lesser-spotted 'Superjet'. Alan Davis would also recall that - unknown to the American creative team - the 'lion mark' had previously been used by the Egg Marketing Board to denote the quality of eggs, leading to many jokes at the character's expense.[8] In a 1986 article for Amazing Heroes, N.A. Collins named Captain Britain's first costume among the six worst male superhero looks in comic history up to that point, noting the "weird sunroof mask" and the "tacky Avon jewellery".[9]

After 39 issues Captain Britain was merged with Marvel UK's Spider-Man reprint title, at the time called Super Spider-Man.[4] Meanwhile Captain Britain had already appeared alongside Spider-Man in America. Claremont was working on Marvel Team-Up with John Byrne and decided to use the format as an introduction for Braddock via the device of him briefly rooming with Peter Parker. The two-issue storyline also saw the debut of Arcade and his Murderworld.[4] The character had been a conclusive failure for Marvel. As a result they realised that they needed to recruit from the British comic scene, and in August 1978 Stan Lee headhunted Dez Skinn. In what the specialist press called "the Marvel Revolution", Skinn insisted on funds being made available to make homegrown material.[10] Among his efforts was Hulk Comic, a weekly styled like Marvel UK's rivals boys' comics. The title mixed reprints with new material, including a fantasy strip starring the Black Knight.[11] The serial was written by Steve Parkhouse, who was deeply interested in Celtic and Arthurian myths, also drawing on the works of Ursula K. Le Guin, Larry Niven and J. R. R. Tolkien. This gave a perfect opportunity to reintroduce Captain Britain, now under a British-based creative team, with veteran John Stokes on art duties, later joined by Paul Neary.[12]

Skinn quit Marvel UK, with Neary taking over as the offshoot's editor-in-chief.[13] Neary paused commissioning covers to free up resources to make a new Captain Britain feature for flagship anthology Marvel Superheroes. Even then he was only able to hire newcomers and turned to editor Dave Thorpe, who had never written before, and Alan Davis, an acquaintance of Neary's who had only recently turned professional with some short pieces published in Rampage and 2000 AD.[8] Thorpe and Neary had already devised the idea of sending the character to a parallel Earth when Davis came onboard, while the character of Jackdaw from The Black Knight was kept on at the editor's suggestion.[14] Davis was tasked with redesigning the lead character's costume with the stipulation to lose the clumsy sceptre, with the artist taking a cues from military uniforms in the new look and bulky out his physique. His unused concepts for the character would later be used for some of the Captain Britain Corps. The new team debuted in Marvel Super-Heroes #377, in September 1981;[8] it had initially been advertised as appearing in #375, but was hit by delays.[4]

Thorpe would fall out with Davis and Marvel after only a few months when he wrote a story featuring Captain Britain resolving the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Neary backed the artist, leading to Thorpe leaving the strip.[8] It would be his only published comics work.[14] His replacement was Alan Moore .[8] The new team moved the strip in a darker tone, reconfiguring Jaspers as a powerful reality-warping mutant and introducing the unstoppable hero-killing cybiote The Fury.[4] Jackdaw was killed off, and in Marvel Super-Heroes #388 Captain Britain seemed to join him.[4] This allowed the strip to cover the character's resurrection and history in a new title, The Daredevils, in January 1983. The title's critical success allowed the page count of the Captain Britain strip to increase in page-count.[15] Despite both the new title and the ongoing strip receiving good notices,[5] including an Eagle Award, The Daredevils was a sales disappointment and was cancelled after 11 issues in November 1983, with Captain Britain transferring back to the relaunched Mighty World of Marvel. Following the conclusion of the "Jaspers' Warp" storyline in June 1984, Moore left the series.[4] Meanwhile the character was also selected for a sizeable role in Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions, a crossover limited series published by Marvel UK's parent company. However, delays saw the title - originally created as to tie in with the 1980 Summer Olympics - held back until 1982.[16]

Davis would briefly take over writing the story himself until being joined by Jamie Delano, an up-and-coming writer recommended by Moore, and Meggan was incorporated as a major supporting character.[8] In January 1985 the serial was transferred back to a new Captain Britain monthly series. Sales were initially respectable but began to fall, while Davis felt Delano wasn't interested in the superhero genre and was also finding his own time to be taken up by a lucrative role as artist for Captain Britain meanwhile would appear as a guest character in Captain America #305-306, with art from Neary.[4][8]

Excalibur (1987-1998)

Main article: Excalibur (comics)

Since creating Captain Britain, Claremont's career had gone from strength to strength; Uncanny X-Men had become one of the industry's best-selling titles, and as a result he had set up spin-off New Mutants. When he read the reinvigorated Captain Britain stories he was impressed with the development of the characters[5] and immediately planned a sequel to "Jasper's Warp" featuring Jaspers, the Fury and the rest of the Captain Britain cast that would be a major X-Men plot arc. Betsy was featured in New Mutants Annual #2 in 1986, soon joining the X-Men as Psylocke, while Jaspers made what was planned to be a teaser appearance in Uncanny X-Men #200, with the plot line of Charles Xavier's exile to the Shi'ar Empire intended to serve as a catalyst. However Claremont was then made aware of the ownership debate, and with Marvel wary of litigation from Moore the storyline was retooled. The Jaspers cameo, during which the character had not demonstrated his powers, was not followed up on, while the role intended for the Fury was instead filled by new character Nimrod. Some of the storylines would later be used for the X-Men arcs "Mutant Massacre" and "Fall of the Mutants".[17]

Marvel were however eager to use the characters and work with Davis, who had left DC. The result was Claremont and Davis creating the super-team Excalibur, picking up Captain Britain and Meggan from where Captain Britain had left them and adding X-Men refugees Nightcrawler, Shadowcat and the Rachel Summers incarnation of Phoenix. The group initially came together in the lavish Excalibur Special Edition in 1987, and after positive response soon became the stars of a regular series, with Captain Britain playing a major role. The success also led to Marvel printing a trade paperback compiling the material Davis had produced for the character after Moore's departure, which was coloured by several artists. Davis would redesign the character's costume again for Excalibur #13; previously it had largely been depicted in black-and-white, with Davis himself colouring the colour cover appearances. However, he found the American colourists were frequently making mistakes and so simplified it. With the creators given a large amount of freedom by Marvel, the series soon received plaudits for its humorous tone and wit compared to the darker turn taken by both the other X-Men related titles and the wider industry at the time.[8] Davis would leave the title in 1990, with Claremont following soon after to focus on the planned relaunch of X-Men. Davis returned for Excalibur from #42 to #67 as both writer and artist in order to tie up various plot threads. Parallel to these storylines the character also appeared in new British material, featuring as a supporting character in Marvel UK's Knights of Pendragon series.[4]

Subsequently the title would continue under Scott Lobdell, who strengthened the title's narrative and tonal connection to the other X-Men titles. Captain Britain was lost in the time-steam off-panel before Excalibur #68, and when he did return was rechristened Britannic, with a redesigned costume and taking a smaller supporting role in the series that has since attracted considerable scorn.[4] Warren Ellis became writer for the title in 1994, and one of his storylines involved revitalising Brian, who reclaimed the identity and costume of Captain Britain in Excalibur #100. However, Ellis would leave the series soon afterwards and his successor Ben Raab swiftly wrote the character out to allow a storyline whereby Meggan was romanced by Colossus. Sales were falling and the title was cancelled in 1998, ending with Brian returning to marry Meggan. Captain Britain then spent several years without a regular title, though in 2001 Raab wrote the four-issue Excalibur limited series that involved the Captain Britain Corps and ended with Braddock as King of Otherworld.[4][18]

New Excalibur, Captain Britain and MI: 13 and Secret Avengers

Brian was later featured as the team leader of New Excalibur in 2005, culminating with the X-Men: Die by the Sword limited series. Following the Secret Invasion crossover, Brian headlined the 2008 series Captain Britain and MI: 13, written by Paul Cornell, which included some characters from New Excalibur, as well as members of MI: 13 who appeared in Cornell's Wisdom limited series. The character later appeared as a regular character in the 2010-2013 Secret Avengers series, from issue #22 (April 2012) through its final issue #37 (March 2013), reappearing with the Avengers as a part of the Time Runs Out storyline.[19]

Around the same time the character made his first appearance in a British-made comic since the end of Knights of Pendragon when Panini Comics, who had taken over Marvel UK following the latter's mid-1990s collapse following an ill-advised rapid expansion under Neary, began producing small indigenous strips for the young reader-orientated Spectacular Spider-Man. Captain Britain guest-starred in #114, dated March 2005, and written by Jim Alexander with art by John Haward and a returning Stokes. Positive reader response saw a second appearance the following year in Spectacular Spider-Man #133.[4]

Dawn of X

Following the 2019 X-Men franchise relaunch Dawn of X, Betsy Braddock became the new Captain Britain following Brian's corruption by Morgan le Fay, with Brian taking up the new mantle of Captain Avalon as defender of Avalon.[20]

Fictional character biography

In the main continuity of Marvel Comics, three characters have used the Captain Britain title in regular publication.

Brian Braddock

Main article: Brian Braddock

Betsy Braddock

Main article: Betsy Braddock

Kelsey Leigh Kirkland

Main article: Lionheart (Marvel Comics)

Other

Modred the Mystic briefly assumed the mantle of Captain Britain by syphoning off Braddock's energies in an effort to defeat Merlyn.[21]

Captain Britain Corps

Captain Britain Corps
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Mighty World of Marvel #13 (June 1984)
Created byAlan Moore
Alan Davis
In-story information
Base(s)Starlight Citadel, Avalon
Member(s)Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock)
Saturnyne
(see member list)

Publication history

The Captain Britain Corps is a fictional league of super-heroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters are all known as, or appear as an alternative version of, Captain Britain, each coming from an alternative reality. Created by writer Alan Moore and artist Alan Davis, the corps first appeared in The Daredevils #6 (June 1983). Founded by Merlyn, his daughter Roma and Sir James Braddock, the organization is tasked with defending the multiverse. The power wielded by members of the corps is derived from absorbing and metabolizing energy generated by the matrix of "exotic particles" naturally occurring at weak points between dimensions, which are present at each dimension's equivalent of the British Isles in unusual quantity and proximity; members are tasked with safeguarding the gateways between dimensions and being the highest champion of each earth's respective morality codes.[22] In addition to the Captains themselves, the organization has included administrators such as Merlyn, Roma, and Saturnyne.

Fictional organisation biography

Merlyn and Roma had arranged for each chosen member of the Corps to gain superpowers, often using unscrupulous means. Following Merlyn's funeral, Roma took control over the corps, making Saturnyne her subordinate and bringing Corps members to the Starlight Citadel for training. Roma also tasked Corps members to take turns in defending Otherworld. Corps members would continue to gather in for important occasions .The corps rarely fought as a unit in these stories, with an exception occurring when Roma dispatched them against Franklin Richards and the Fantastic Four.

The Corps was nearly wiped out by Mastermind, a villainous computer belonging to Brian Braddock, and a group of mutated children known as the Warpies , who were once the wards of Captain UK. Roma stepped down as omniversal guardian, giving the title to Brian Braddock, who became King of Otherworld and rebuilt the Corps. Another wave of destruction tore through Otherworld due to Wanda Maximoff's alterations to reality in House of M, which nearly led to Roma and Saturnyne erasing that universe.[23] It once again it came under attack, this time from Mad Jim Jaspers and Corps members which he began to turn into Furys.[volume & issue needed] The end of the battle saw Roma dead, along with most of the Corps along with her. Saturnyne appointed Albion the new leader as they rebuilt the corps once again.[24] Later, the Captain Britain Corps investigate universal Incursions which are causing the destruction of various realities, and the deaths of twenty Corpsmen. After the members of the Corps capture a Mapmaker, the Ivory Kings send their entire forces to overrun the Starlight Citadel, destroying the entire Corps. Saturnyne is able to teleport Brian Braddock to safety, leaving him as the Corps' only survivor.[25]

Membership

The Captain Britain Corps spans the multiverse; the exact number of members is unclear. While many members are simply named Captain Britain, others use names such as Captain U.K. or Lady London), while others' names may be reflective of the specific characteristics of their respective universes (such as Hauptmann Englande or The Violet Swan) or individual circumstances (such as Spider-UK). Of the corps members depicted in publication, most, but not all, have been alternate versions of Brian or Betsy Braddock.

Known members

A number of individuals are known in-story to have been members of the Captain Britain Corps at some point in their fictional portrayals.

Title (real name) Universe of origin First appearance as member of corps Additional notes
Captain Britain (Beth Braddock) Earth-6
Justicar Druidica Earth-14
Captain Britain (Elizander Braddock) Earth-15
Captain Amphibian Earth-22
Alpha Briton Earth-33
Sister Britain Earth-65
Captain Krakoica Earth-78
The Green Woman Earth-99
Captain Angland Earth-305
Captain Albion Earth-523
Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock) Earth-616 Captain Britain (vol. 2) #13 (temporary); Excalibur (vol. 4) #1 (permanent)
Captain Britain (Liz Braddock) Earth-812
Captain Bretland Earth-904
Captain Granbretan Earth-1812
Captain Plumdragon Earth-2112
High Priestess Celtia Earth-2113
Crusader X (Bran Braddock) Earth-2122
Centurion Britannia Earth-4100
Captain Baboon Earth-8101
The Violet Swan Earth-8311
Elspeth Braddock Earth-13059
Britannica Rex Earth-99476
Brother Brit-Man (Gilles Weill) Earth-65 Excalibur #44 Killed by a Fury.[26]
Yeoman U.K. (Brion Burdack)[27] Earth-148 (Ee'rath) Excalibur #1 He was a member of an alternative Excalibur. After dying, he returned briefly as a reanimated corpse[28]
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-58163 The Uncanny X-Men #462 Ruled Britain as King in the House of M.
Hauptmann Englande Earth-597[29] Excalibur #9 He was a member of Lightning Force.
Captain Avalon (Brian Braddock) Earth-616 Captain Britain Comics #1 Brian, son of Sir James Braddock, is from the main Marvel Universe and a former ruler of Otherworld. He was the first character to use the Captain Britain title in publication and has been the leader of three incarnations of Earth-616's Excalibur as well as the Corps has worked with MI: 13.[30] He currently uses the title Captain Avalon as defender of Avalon.[20]
Lionheart (Kelsey Leigh Shorr) Earth-616 The Avengers (vol. 3) #77 She is from the main Marvel Universe and was given the role as Captain Britain for a brief time before becoming Lionheart. She is a former member of the Avengers and currently lives in her home reality.
Captain Empire (Robert Doherty) Earth-741 Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (June 1984) He wore a pith helmet and a monocle.
Captain Airstrip-One (George Smith) Earth-744 Daredevils #7 (July 1983, mentioned); Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (June 1984) He appeared in a one-off solo strip written by Alan Moore for the small press title Mad Dog in 1986.[31] His Earth is portrayed as a similar type of world to that of Orwell's novel 1984. He was among the members of the Corps slaughtered by Mastermind and the Warpies.[32]
Kaptain Briton (Byron Brad-Dhok) Earth-794[29] Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (June 1984) He was killed by Betsy Braddock[33]
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-811[29] Excalibur #66 He was killed by Sentinels.[34]
Spider-UK (Billy Braddock) Earth-833 Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (September 2014) A former member of the Captain Britain Corps, he became the leader of the Web Warriors during the Spider-Verse event, but dying in Spider-Geddon.
Captain Commonwealth (Doug Andrews) Earth-920 Daredevils #7 (July 1983, mentioned); Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (June 1984) He is killed by Dr. Doom[35]
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-1189[29] Excalibur #15 His world was devastated by nuclear war until he was killed in battle.
Captain Marshall (Bryon Bradek) Earth-1193 Excalibur #12 Died years before the Cross-Time Caper during which his costume was handed over to Earth-616's Captain Britain.
Captain Granbretan (Paul Peltier) Earth-1812 Captain Britain (vol. 2) #13[36] He eventually attempted to retire due to dissatisfaction with the Corps, but was forced to continue his activities for a brief time by his suit even past his own death.[37]
Captain Wales (Huw Gruffydd) Earth-6200 X-Men/Red Skull: Chaos Engine: Book Three Killed by Dr. Doom[35] and was posthumously honored by the Corps for his actions.
Lord Goldstar (Seamus O'Rourke)[27] Earth-7123[27] X-Men: Die by the Sword #3 Not seen, only mentioned as being present. Presumably died along with the majority of the Captain Britain Corps members present for the battle against Mad Jim Jaspers.
Captain Prydain (Lloyd Thomas)[27] Earth-7580[27][38] New Excalibur #18 Traveled to Earth-70518[38] to defeat alien slavers before being killed by Albion.[39]
Cap'n Brit (Barry Braddock) Earth-8910[29] Excalibur #14 He was from a world that was devastated by Galactus and repopulated by the Impossible Man.
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-9620 Excalibur #94
Striker Llewellyn (Owein Llewellyn) Earth-20712 X-Men: Die By The Sword #1 One of the first of the Corps to encounter Mad Jim Jaspers on his return, who transformed him into a Fury.[26]
Lord High Justicer (Brian Braddock) Earth-23238 Excalibur #23 He was Chief Justicer Bull's superior.
Flight Leader (Dan Hampson)[27] Earth-59462[27] The Uncanny X-Men #462 He was assimilated by Sir James Jaspers into a new Fury.[26]
Captain Britannia (Elsbeth Braddock) Earth-79596[38] Exiles #97 Mentioned by Cat Pryde.
Sir James Braddock[40] Otherworld[41] Captain Britain (vol. 2) #7 (July 1985) Member of the original Corps,[42] Braddock was sent by Merlyn to Earth-616 shortly after the end of World War II to replace its James Braddock and father a hero.[43] He fathered Jamie, Brian and Betsy Braddock and was a member of the Hellfire Club (London) before he was killed in an explosion.[40]
Alecto Otherworld X-Men/Dr. Doom Chaos Engine: Book One (2000) Formerly the personal guard of Roma at the Starlight Citadel.
Gorka Otherworld X-Men/Dr. Doom: Chaos Engine: Book One He was a personal guard of Roma at the Starlight Citadel.
Merlyn Otherworld Captain Britain #1 (October 1976) Merlyn began safeguarding the total of all universes in existence when he established himself as Omniversal Guardian and founded the Corps. He later went mad and his daughter usurped his position.
Roma Otherworld Captain Britain #1 (October 1976) Founding of the Corps alongside her father Merlyn and Sir James Braddock. Took the position of Omniversal Guardian after her father went mad but was later killed during an attack on the Starlight Citadel.[24]
Saturnyne (Opal Luna Saturnyne) Earth-9[29] Mighty World of Marvel #381 (January 1982) Was the Omniversal Majestrix; overseer of the Captain Britain Corps. Since losing that position she has stayed with the Corps.
Captain U.K. (Linda McQuillan) Earth-238 Marvel Super Heroes #388
(August 1982) 		The sole survivor of Earth-238, Linda was transported to Earth-616 to escape the Fury and eventually helped destroy it. Afterwards, Roma assigned her to Earth-794 (to deal with Opul Lun Sat-Yr-Nin)[44] and later reassigned her to Earth-839.[45]
Captain Angleterre (Paul-Henri Spencer) Earth-305 Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (1984)
Captain England (Henric Lockwood) Earth-522[29] ("The Hub") Daredevils #6 (1983) He is from The Hub, where the trial of Saturnyne took place and often carries a staff.
Captain Albion (Katherine Huggen) Earth-523 Daredevils #6 (1983)
Spider-UK (William "Billy" Braddock) Earth-833 The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #7 A British version of Spider-Man.[46]
Kommandant Englander (Helga Geering) Earth-846 Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (1984) She is from a German dominated world.
Cap'n Saxonia (Frideswide Lawley) Earth-924 Excalibur #49 (1992) Also a member of Calibur alongside that dimension's versions of Spider-Girl, Iron Fist, Hulk and Dr. Strange. She was sometimes known as Captain Saxonia.
Captain Britain (Meggan) Earth-1189[23] Excalibur #44 (1991) Her world was devastated by war between superheroes and villains. She took over the mantle after her version of Braddock died[47] and became part of the Corps.
Captain Cymru (Morwen Powell) Earth-1282 Excalibur #24 (1990) One of the few known Captains who uses a gun with Plastrix.
Captain Britain (Kymri) Earth-1289[29] Excalibur #16 Never confirmed as official Corps member. She and Lockheed jointly took the mantle of Captain Britain. Her planet was conquered and her people enslaved. She was bound to Kyllian as his personal hound by Tullamore Vogue.
Captain Britain (Lockheed) Earth-1289[29] Excalibur #16 Never confirmed as official Corps member. He and Kymri jointly took the mantle of Captain Britain.
Chevalier Bretagne (René de Bragelonne) Earth-1508 Excalibur #24 (1990) He wears a purple and green suit similar to a Musketeer.
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-1610 Ultimate X-Men #19 (2002) Never confirmed as official Corps member. Ultimate Marvel version of character.
Maasai Marion (Sadiki Namuntaya) Earth-1857 Excalibur #43 (1991)
Crusader X (Bran Braddock) Earth-2122 Excalibur #21 (1990)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-2149 Marvel Zombies #2 (2006) Never confirmed as official Corps member. Was infected with the zombie virus by Quicksilver.[38]
Right Honorable Captain Winston Faneshawe-Sinclair Earth-3208 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-3913 Excalibur #44 (1991) He was accused of murdering a police officer.
Centurion Britannus (Thracius Scipio Magnus) Earth-4100 Excalibur #24 (1990) His costume resembles that of the Roman Empire. He invokes Mithras, a god worshiped in both India and Ancient Rome.
Captain Colonies (Stephen Rogers)[29] Earth-4103 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-4400 Exiles #43 (2004)
Madam Sussex (Francesca Grace)[29] Earth-4811 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Major Commonwealth (Byron Falsworth)[29] Earth-4904 Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (1984)
Mercian Marsh'al (C'rta M'ller) Earth-5511 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Anglo-Simian (Joseph Cornelius) Earth-5905 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Skrull Lord: Colony UK7 (Kl'rt)[29] Earth-6309)[29] Excalibur #49 (1992)
Samurai Saxonai (Kendra Matsumoto) Earth-6315 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Chieftain Justice (T'Challa)[29] Earth-6606[29] Excalibur #44 (1991)
Centurionous Britainicosarus (Magnus Rex) Earth-6993 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Albion (Bran Bardic)[27] Earth-70518[27] X-Men: Die By The Sword #5 (2007)
Will Of The People (John Raven)[29] Earth-7305[29] Excalibur #50 (1992)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-7475 Alpha Flight #74 Runs the common market, all of Western Europe and North Africa.
Maid Britannia (Guinevere Wren) Earth-8406 Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (1984)
Gotowar Konanegg (Kavin Plundarr)[29] Earth-8413[29] Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #13 (1984)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-8545 Exiles #20
Lady London (Sybil Sherman) Earth-9006 Excalibur #24 (1990)
Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock) Earth-9012 Excalibur #43 (1991)
Officer Saxon (Peter Hunter)[29] Earth-9106 Excalibur #43 (1991)
Sister Gaia (Serena Foster) Earth-9111 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-9411 Spectacular Spider-Man (UK) #114
Pookie Pendragon (Kozfran) Earth-9246 Excalibur #24 (1990)
Friar Albion (Petros Wisdom)[29] Earth-9586[29] Excalibur #44 (1991)
Caledonia (Alysande Stuart) Earth-9809 Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #9 She was a prisoner in the Starlight Citadel before becoming Franklin Richards' nanny on Earth-616 as well as a spy for Roma.
Privateer Albion (Jack Turner) Earth-9890 Excalibur #124 (1998)
King Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-9997[48] Paradise X: X (2003) Captain Britain became King of England and resides in the Realm of the Dead.
Agent Albion (Victoria Whitman) Earth-10221 Excalibur (vol. 2) #1 (2001)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-21993 What If? (vol. 2) #46 (1989)
Rifleman (Lance Hunter)[29] Earth-22110[29] Excalibur (vol. 2) #1 (2001)
Justicer Bull (Cassandra Bull) Earth-23238 Excalibur #23 (1990) She is one of the few Captains to have survived the Warpies attack and led the Corps against Jim Jaspers.[26]
Britannic (Brian Braddock) Earth-28927 Excalibur Annual #2 (1994)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-32000 X-Men Unlimited #26 (2000)
Gizmo (William "Billy" Ransom) Earth-40121 Excalibur (vol. 2) #1 (2001)
Percy Penfold Earth-81289 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Enforcer Capone (Adolfo Costa) Earth-89947 Excalibur #44 (1991)
Britanotron Earth-91418 Excalibur #43 (1991)
Captain Britain (Brian Braddock) Earth-98125 Marvel Vision #25 (1998) Chose both the Amulet of Life and the Sword of Death.
Britanicus Rex (Brian Braddock) Earth-99476 Excalibur #51 (1992) Resided in the dimension also known as Dino-World.

Collected editions

See also: Excalibur (comic book) § Collected editions
Title ISBN Release date Issues
Captain Britain 9781854000200 17 November 1988 Material from The Mighty World of Marvel (Vol. 2) #14-16 & Captain Britain (Vol. 2) #1-14
Captain Britain 9780785108559 January 2002 X-Men Archives featuring Captain Britain #2-7
Captain Britain Vol. 1 - Birth of a Legend 9781905239306 2 February 2007 Material from Captain Britain (Vol. 1) #1-23
Captain Britain Vol. 2 - A Hero Reborn 9781905239726 28 November 2007 Material from Captain Britain (Vol. 1) #24-39 & Spider-Man & Captain Britain #231-245.
Captain Britain Vol. 3 - The Lion and the Spider 9781846534010 26 March 2009 Material from Spider-Man & Captain Britain #246-53 & Hulk Comic #1 & #3-30
Captain Britain Vol. 4 - Siege of Camelot 9781846534331 16 April 2010 Material from Hulk Comic #42-55 & #57-63 & X-Men Archives featuring Captain Britain #1-6
Captain Britain Vol. 5 - End Game 9780785108559 6 December 2010 Material from X-Men Archives featuring Captain Britain #1-6 & Captain Britain (1988 TPB)
Captain Britain: Legacy of a Legend 9781302906689 23 November 2016 Material from Captain Britain (Vol. 1) #1-2, Marvel Team-Up (Vol. 1) #65-66, Hulk Comic #1, #3-5, #57-59,
Marvel Super-Heroes #377-384 & #386, The Daredevils #3-4, The Mighty World Of Marvel #8-12
& Captain Britain (Vol. 2) #14.

References

  1. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ^ Howard, Tini (30 October 2019). Excalibur (vol. 4) #1. Marvel Comics UK.
  3. ^ Moore, Alan (June 1983). Daredevils #6. Marvel Comics UK.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Lowrey, Nigel (August 2008). "The Saga of Captain Britain". Back Issue! (29). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 35–43.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Chris Claremont (w). "Introduction" Captain Britain (November 1988). Marvel Comics, ISBN 9781854000200.
  6. ^ Ralph Macchio (w). "Welcome to Marvel Tales" Marvel Tales: Captain Britain, no. 1 (September 2020). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Menzies, Robert (September 2015). "Captain Britain and the Moral Panic of 1976". Back Issue!. No. 83. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Nolen-Weathington, Eric, ed. (March 2007). The Modern Masters Volume One: Alan Davis. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 9781893905191.
  9. ^ N.A. Collins (1 May 1986). "Dressed for Success". Amazing Heroes. No. 94. Fantagraphics Books.
  10. ^ "'Marvel Revolution' in England". The Comics Journal (#45): 14. March 1979.
  11. ^ Millsted, Ian (May 2008). "The U.K. Hulk Comic". Back Issue!. No. 28. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  12. ^ (uncredited) (w). "Of Legends, Dreams and Otherworld" Captain Britain - A Marvel Summer Special (1980). Marvel UK.
  13. ^ "Dez Skinn Leaves Marvel U.K.". The Comics Journal (#54): 15. March 1980.
  14. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference auto6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Tandarich, Dan (June 2010). "The Story of Marvel's First Limited Series: Contest of Champions, a.k.a. Marvel's Road Not Taken to the 1980 Summer Oympics". Back Issue!. No. 41. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  17. ^ "Mad Jim Jaspers (Earth-616, Captain Britain foe)". www.marvunapp.com.
  18. ^ "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Captain Britain". www.toonopedia.com.
  19. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: "Time Runs Out for The Avengers in Alessio's Variant Covers". Comic Book Resources. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  20. ^ a b Excalibur (vol. 4) #13. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Captain America #305. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Excalibur (vol. 1) #44-45
  23. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #462-465. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ a b X-Men: Die by the Sword #5. Marvel Comics.
  25. ^ New Avengers (vol. 3) #30. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^ a b c d X-Men: Die by the Sword #3
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z vol. #2 (May 2008)
  28. ^ Excalibur #45
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes (2005)
  30. ^ Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1 (May 2008)
  31. ^ Mad Dog #10 available online
  32. ^ Captain Airstrip-One at the Appendix to the Handbook of the marvel Universe
  33. ^ Captain Britain (vol. 2) #7
  34. ^ Excalibur #125
  35. ^ a b X-Men/Red Skull: Chaos Engine: Book Three
  36. ^ Captain Britain (vol. 2) #13 (text story) - written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by John Stokes, available online Archived 12 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Captain Granbretan at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  38. ^ a b c d "capbcapz". www.marvunapp.com.
  39. ^ New Excalibur #18
  40. ^ a b Captain Britain Comics #14
  41. ^ "Sir James Braddock (Captain Britain's father)". www.marvunapp.com.
  42. ^ Excalibur (vol. 2) #2 (March 2001) - Ben Raab (writer), Pablo Raimondi (pencils), Walden Wong (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
  43. ^ Captain Britain (vol. 2) #1 (January 1985) - Jamie Delano (writer), Alan Davis (artist), Ian Rimmer (editor)
  44. ^ Captain Britain Monthly #14
  45. ^ Excalibur #44
  46. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #7
  47. ^ Excalibur #15
  48. ^ Earth X Sketchbook
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Captain_Britain&oldid=1154178969"