Captain Britain Corps

Captain Britain Corps
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance The Mighty World of Marvel #13 (June 1984)
Created by Alan Moore
Alan Davis
In-story information
Base(s) Each Alternate Earth
dispatched from the Starlight Citadel in Otherworld
Member(s)

Roma
Merlyn
Sir James Braddock
Saturnyne
Albion
Captain Britain (Earth-616)


(see member list)

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. They are all essentially the same hero except they each come from an alternative reality.

Fictional team history

Founded by Merlyn, his daughter Roma and Sir James Braddock, the Corps' main duty was to guard the Multiverse. Each member protected his or her reality based on their dimensional equivalent of Britain, and was powered by the friction between dimensions.

Merlyn and Roma arranged for each chosen member of the Corps to gain superpowers, using any means, disguise or otherwise, possible.

The making of Brian Braddock

Merlyn chose Brian Braddock to become Earth-616's version of Captain Britain. After Braddock had adventured as Captain Britain for a few years, Merlyn sent Braddock to Earth-238, where he overheard that this reality once had a Captain UK, however Braddock was unsure of what this meant until he met Captain England and Captain Albion at a trial in another reality.

Back in his own home world, Braddock allied himself with Captain UK who had taken up home there after her Britain had become a fascist state and the heroes living there were targeted for a genocidal purge. Together they fought the hero-killer Fury after which Captains Britain and UK and their new ally Saturnyne were transported to Merlyn's home, Otherworld. Here they discovered that Merlyn had apparently died. Later they discover that it was one of his many ruses.

Otherworld

[1]For what seems like the first time, the Corps in their entirety attended Merlyn's funeral. Afterwards Roma began taking a more direct approach with the Corps, even making Saturnyne her subordinate (mainly to keep an eye on her). She started bringing Corps members to the Starlight Citadel for training. Roma then added another duty to the Corps list of responsibilities. In addition to protecting their home realities, they must also take turns in defending Otherworld.

During the adventures of Captain Britain (Braddock), Corpsmen would occasionally appear. These appearances are usually to observe important events (such as the wedding of Meggan and Braddock[1] and the conclusion of the Cross-Time Caper) or to carry out a sentence, as when they acted as jury at Braddock’s trial for breaching the Corps Code of Conduct.

Franklin Richards

When Roma perceived Franklin Richards to be a threat, not only to his home reality (Earth-616) but to all of reality, she dispatched the Warwolves, Gatecrasher and her Technet to kidnap him. When her plan was being opposed by the Fantastic Four and Alyssa Moy, who was babysitting Franklin at the time, Roma teleported them all to Otherworld to face the full fury of the entire Corps.

Although they were hampered by having never worked as a team, the Corps eventually started wearing down the heroes, until Franklin used his reality manipulating mutant powers to supercharge his family who defeated the entire Captain Britain Corps. After a brief debate with Human Torch, Roma agreed that Franklin should be left with his family.

However, it was suggested that the entire kidnapping was just a ruse to let Caledonia, a former prisoner of Roma's starlight citadel, infiltrate the Fantastic Four's home as Franklin's nanny to prepare them for their forthcoming battle with Abraxas.

Near destruction

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 (victims of the Jaspers' Warp), 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.

When the insane mutant Wanda Maximoff altered reality in House of M, another wave of destruction tore through Otherworld. Roma and Saturnyne, in an effort to save the omniverse, give Brian 48 hours to fix the tear in reality, or they will erase his Earth completely. With the sacrifice of Meggan, the heroes are able to seal the tear.[2]

The corps rebuilt its ranks but once again it came under attack, this time from Mad Jim Jaspers and corps members which he began to turn into Furys. The end of the battle saw Roma dead and most of the corps along with her. Saturnyne appointed Albion leader and told Captain Britain to stay and keep an eye on his reality as they rebuilt the corps once again.[3]

Uncanny X-Force

Captain Britain Corps comes to Earth to arrest Fantomex for the murder of the young Apocalypse. Fantomex justifies his actions that the young Apocalypse will become evil, but Captain Britain suggest he never had a chance of redemption. During the trial the "Goat-Devil" lays siege to Otherworld and the Uncanny X-force come to save Fantomex from execution. Psylocke then realizes the Goat-Devil is actually her older brother from the future and tells Captain Britain to kill him. Captain Britain cannot do it himself, but lowers his psychic defenses and allows Psylocke to control him and kill Jamie Braddock, thus erasing The Goat from the future and ending the siege.[4]

Time Runs Out

During the events of "Time Runs Out", 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.[5]

Membership

Although members usually call themselves simply "The Corps", other seems to attach their name to the Corps. For example, "Crusader X Corps" or the better known and most prevalent "Captain Britain Corps", which is better known since Braddock became King of Otherworld.

The Captain Britain Corps spans the multiverse and have a huge collection of members most of which go unnamed. The Corps, not only consists of alternative versions of Brian Braddock from throughout the multiverse, but also characters representing a vast array of different worlds, such as Hauptmann Englande, a member representing a world where Nazis won World War II and Captain Airstrip-One from a world based on George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, while some even vary in species, like an animal version and even more exotic forms. While some members, like Captain U.K., have been utilized throughout many worlds, she provided support for Braddock on Earth-616, and replaced the fallen Captains of Earth-794 and later Earth-839.

Membership is depleted following the attack by Mastermind and the Warpies, M-Day, and Jaspers return, with the ranks slowly being rebuilt first under the command of Brian Braddock (Earth-616) and currently Albion.

Known current members

Title (real name) Universe of origin First appearance as member of corps Additional notes
Albion
(Bran Bardic)[6]		 Earth-70518[6] X-Men: Die By The Sword #5 Leader of the Shadow Corps[7] before being made the head of the Captain Britain Corps after the death of Roma.[3]
Captain England
(Henric Lockwood)		 Earth-522[8]
The Hub		 Daredevils #6 He is from The Hub, where the trial of Saturnyne took place and often carries a staff.
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)[9] and later reassigned her to Earth-839.[10]
Justicer Bull
(Cassandra Bull)		 Earth-23238 Excalibur #23 She is one of the few Captains to have survived the Warpies attack and led the Corps against Jim Jaspers.[11]
Saturnyne
(Opal Luna Saturnyne)		 Earth-9[8] The Mighty World of Marvel: Marvel Superheroes #381 (Jan 1982) Was the Omniversal Majestrix; overseer of the Captain Britain Corps. Since losing that position she has stayed with the Corps.
Spider-UK
(William "Billy" Braddock)		 Earth-833 The Amazing Spider-Man #7 A British version of Spider-Man.[12]

Former members

Those members who have left or are known to have died:

Title (real name) Universe of origin First appearance as member of corps Additional notes
Alecto X-Men/Dr. Doom Chaos Engine: Book One He was the personal guard of Roma at the Starlight Citadel.
Brother Brit-Man
(Gilles Weill)		 Earth-65 Excalibur vol. 1 #44 Killed by a Fury.[11]
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.[13] 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.[14]
Cap'n Brit
(Barry Braddock)		 Earth-8910[8] Excalibur vol. 1 #14 He was from a world that was devastated by Galactus and repopulated by the Impossible Man.
Captain Britain
(Betsy Braddock)		 Earth-616 Captain Britain vol. 2 #13 She assumed her brother Brian's mantle and position in the Corps[8] while he was unavailable but she soon left the position after being blinded by Slaymaster.
Captain Britain
(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 has been the leader of three incarnations of Earth-616's Excalibur as well as the Corps and has currently left the Corps to work with MI: 13 of his universe.[15]
Captain Britain
(Brian Braddock) 		Earth-811[8] Excalibur vol. 1 #66 He was killed by Sentinels.[1]
Captain Britain
(Brian Braddock)		 Earth-1189[8] Excalibur vol. 1 #15 His world was devastated by nuclear war until he was killed in battle.
Captain Britain
(Brian Braddock)		 Earth-9620 Excalibur vol 1. #94
Captain Britain
(Brian Braddock)		 Earth-58163 Uncanny X-Men #462 Ruled Britain as King in the House of M.
Captain Britannia
(Elsbeth Braddock)		 Earth-Cat[16] Exiles #97 Mentioned by Cat Pryde.
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[17]
Captain Empire
(Robert Doherty) 		Earth-741 Mighty World of Marvel vol. 2 #13
(June 1984)		 He wore a pith helmet and a monocle.
Captain Granbretan
(Paul Peltier)		 Earth-1812 Captain Britain vol. 2 #13[18] 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.[19]
Captain Marshall
(Bryon Bradek)		 Earth-1193 Excalibur vol. 1 #12 Died years before the Cross-Time Caper during which his costume was handed over to Earth-616's Captain Britain.
Captain Prydain
(Lloyd Thomas)[6]		 Earth-7580[6][16] New Excalibur #18 Traveled to Earth-70518[16] to defeat alien slavers before being killed by Albion.[20]
Captain Wales
(Huw Gruffydd)		 Earth-6200 X-Men/Red Skull: Chaos Engine: Book Three Killed by Dr. Doom[17] and was posthumously honored by the Corps for his actions.
Flight Leader
(Dan Hampson)[6]		 Earth-59462[6] Uncanny X-Men #462 He was assimilated by Sir James Jaspers into a new Fury.[11]
Gorka X-Men/Dr. Doom: Chaos Engine: Book One He was a personal guard of Roma at the Starlight Citadel.
Hauptmann Englande Earth-597[8] Excalibur vol. 1 #9 He was a member of Lightning Force.
Kaptain Briton
(Byron Brad-Dhok)		 Earth-794[8] Mighty World of Marvel vol. 2 #13
(June 1984)		 He was killed by Betsy Braddock[21]
Lionheart
(Kelsey Leigh Shorr)		 Earth-616 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.
Lord Goldstar
(Seamus O'Rourke)[6]		 Earth-7123[6] 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.
Lord High Justicer
(Brian Braddock)		 Earth-23238 Excalibur vol. 1 #23 He was Chief Justicer Bull's superior.
Merlyn Captain Britain vol. 1 #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.
Sir James Braddock[22] Otherworld[23] Captain Britain vol. 2 #7
(July 1985)		 Member of the original Corps,[24] 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.[25] He fathered Jamie, Brian and Betsy Braddock and was a member of the Hellfire Club (London) before he was killed in an explosion.[22]
Striker Llewellyn
(Owein Llewellyn)		 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.[11]
Roma Captain Britain vol. 1 #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.[3]
Yeoman U.K.
(Brion Burdack)[6]		 Earth-148
Ee'rath		 Excalibur vol. 1 #1 He was a member of an alternative Excalibur. After dying, he returned briefly as a reanimated corpse[26]

Unconfirmed

Lists members whose status is unclear, the Corps was decimated in X-Men: Die by the Sword and the full aftermath of that incident has yet to be shown.

Unknown association

Characters that have taken the name and role of Captain Britain but have not been stated as being part of the corps.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Excalibur vol. 1 #125
  2. ↑ The Uncanny X-Men #462-465
  3. 1 2 3 X-Men: Die by the Sword #5
  4. ↑ Uncanny X-Force: Otherworld – June 6, 2012
  5. ↑ New Avengers (vol. 3) #30
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z vol. #2 (May 2008)
  7. ↑ New Excalibur #21
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes (2005)
  9. ↑ Captain Britain Monthly #14
  10. ↑ Excalibur #44
  11. 1 2 3 4 X-Men: Die by the Sword #3
  12. ↑ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 #7
  13. ↑ Mad Dog #10 available online
  14. ↑ Captain Airstrip-One at the Appendix to the Handbook of the marvel Universe
  15. ↑ Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1 (May 2008)
  16. 1 2 3 4 Marvel Appendix - Master List (capb-capz)
  17. 1 2 X-Men/Red Skull: Chaos Engine: Book Three
  18. ↑ Captain Britain vol. 2 #13 (text story) - written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by John Stokes, available online Archived June 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ Captain Granbretan at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  20. ↑ New Excalibur #18
  21. ↑ Captain Britain vol. 2 #7
  22. 1 2 Captain Britain Comics #14
  23. ↑ Sir James Braddock - Marvel Appendix
  24. ↑ Excalibur vol. 2 #2 (March 2001) - Ben Raab (writer), Pablo Raimondi (pencils), Walden Wong (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
  25. ↑ Captain Britain vol 2. #1 (January 1985) - Jamie Delano (writer), Alan Davis (artist), Ian Rimmer (editor)
  26. ↑ Excalibur vol. 1 #45
  27. ↑ Excalibur vol. 1 #44
  28. ↑ Earth X Sketchbook
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