Captain Britain is one of Marvel’s most underrated heroes. He, she, or they is an exploration of British identity through the lens of the occult, Arthurian legends, various signs and symbols, the multiverse, and yes, superheroes. Depending on the creative team, these stories can be memorable or just palette swapped Captain America. Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special attempts to celebrate the character, and two of their main civilian identities: Brian Braddock and Betsy Braddock. It succeeds as a showcase of visually powerful comics art, but for the most part, the scripts are retreads of Captain Britain lore or lack ending in the case of the final story in the book. However, Chris Claremont comes to life writing one of his earliest co-creations, and Alan Davis continues to be one of the great comics storytellers. Sadly, the modern day story from Dan Abnett and Kelsey Ramsay is this book’s weak link.
The Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special kicks things off in a majorly old school way in “Braddock Business” courtesy of Cap’s co-creator Chris Claremont, artist Paul Davidson, and colorist Carlos Lopez. Set between the panels of a classic Captain Britain issue, the story pits Brian Braddock, and for the first time ever, his sister Betsy Braddock against the villainous Dr. Synne. This is mostly a beat ’em up story with Davidson evoking the power and glory of Alan Davis’ work while Lopez puts a digital sheen on the 1970s flat color palette. Synne is definitely one-dimensional, but this story succeeds by leaning on a Claremont trademark: focus on character’s interpersonal relationships. Betsy learns that Brian is Captain Britain, and that she has special abilities too leading to equal parts empowerment and anxiety on her part. She gets a classic Chris Claremont powerful woman moment too.
However, “Braddock Business” ends up commenting on the dark side of violence and revenge as Brian ends up in a physical confrontation with Dr. Synne that is more 1986 than 1976. Alan Moore is probably the most famous Captain Britain (Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant did edit the mag though.) writer and cut his teeth writing his stories before he deconstructed the superhero genre in Miracleman and Watchmen. So, Brian basically blacking out, and the fight against Synne having a more open-ended, less triumphant conclusion is in line with that kind of story. It’s cool to have superpowers, but there are also costs and responsibilities. Not everything is sunshine and roses, but Betsy and Brian still have a great sibling bond. Jamie, not so much ; he’s probably scamming folks on Kalshi right now.
“Chains of Command” fittingly pokes fun at the bureaucracy of the Captain Britain Corps and the labyrinthine web that is Merlyn, Saturnyne, and all the various players in their corner of the Marvel Universe. It’s also a showcase for Alan Davis ‘ considerable talents warping and wefting comics pages together that is matched by the bright, old school colors of Matt Hollingsworth. In the story, Brian Braddock is all action, especially when he fights his classic enemy The Fury while Archibald Payne just sits and pontificates with his big scepter. (He’s definitely compensating or something.) A lot of the story summarizes different elements of the convoluted Captain Britain Corps lore, but Davis’ sarcastic wit and powerful pencil get enough time to shine. If he was the artist or writer/artist on a Captain Britain mini or ongoing series, I would immediately put it on my hold list, especially with Hollingsworth’s colors accentuating the scenes with mystical energy.
The Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special concludes with a story set in the present day starring the current Captain Britain, Betsy Braddock, from Dan Abnett, Kelsey Ramsay, and Brittany Peer. Unfortunately, “Another Day, An Otherworld” is the weak link is this otherwise above average collection of Captain Britain stories. The first two stories explored the themes of family and multiverse, and this one explores the cyclical nature of the omniverse and the Captain Britain Corps. However, it has no conclusion just a half-hearted mention that Opal Saturnyne is going to continue to be devious and scheme and then an advertising for an upcoming comic where we can read more about Betsy Braddock’s adventures. This is definitely a comic where the visuals supersede the text. Ramsay has a scratchy art style with heavy black inks that grounds the magical world of Captain Britain into something human, vulnerable, and even monstrous. She and Peer make sparks fly as Captain Britain fights her opponent, but the story is just a stalemate. As a reader of Excalibur and Betsy Braddock, “Another Day, An Otherworld” touched on some of the lore I knew from those books, but doesn’t continue Betsy’s story in any kind of meaningful way or mention her queerness.
Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special may spark some feelings in folks who have read Captain Britain stories before whether that’s the early Chris Claremont/Herb Trimpe stuff or the Krakoa-era Tini Howard comics, but it won’t create any new fans of the Union Jack clad defenders of the multiverse. Any new Alan Davis interior art is always a blessing though.
Story: Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Dan Abnett
Art: Paul Davidson, Alan Davis, Kelsey Ramsay
Colors: Carlos Lopez, Matt Hollingsworth, Brittany Peer
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 6.7 Art: 8.2 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
