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Captain Britain Issue Two
The second issue of Captain Britain and MI-13 is out today in the States, tomorrow in the UK, and, in a bit of an outreach effort, we've plonked the address of this blog in there, with the aim of starting up a sort of unofficial letters page. Do feel free to comment on the issue, therefore, but do keep it clean. And you know that thing where an otherwise positive letter says 'you rock, unlike Barnabas Cantwrite-Comics, who can't write comics!'? Don't do that. Barnabas, or Barney as I like to call him, might be a friend of mine, and even if he's not, I'll extend him the respect of a fellow professional, and thus not print said letter.
But you remember those classic letters pages of the past, like in Master of Kung-Fu? We're aiming for something like that: erudition; wit; banter. Go on, have a go!
Ooh, and here's a rather nice review of issue two, with those seven pages of preview art. Bless you, David Wallace:
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/121311131487387.htm
My non-comics readers will by now be baffled, so I offer this, an interview about the craft of writing I just did for SFX magazine, bits of which have been used in their pieces on their short story contest. I'm rather proud of this, it's my answer to fellow Who writer James Moran's recent piece on the same subject:
http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=author_interview_paul_cornell
Hope you like the issue. The new printing of issue one, with new wraparound cover, should be alongside it in your comic shop. No major political figures featured this time, however. As I just told some journalists. Until next time, Cheerio!
But you remember those classic letters pages of the past, like in Master of Kung-Fu? We're aiming for something like that: erudition; wit; banter. Go on, have a go!
Ooh, and here's a rather nice review of issue two, with those seven pages of preview art. Bless you, David Wallace:
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/121311131487387.htm
My non-comics readers will by now be baffled, so I offer this, an interview about the craft of writing I just did for SFX magazine, bits of which have been used in their pieces on their short story contest. I'm rather proud of this, it's my answer to fellow Who writer James Moran's recent piece on the same subject:
http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=author_interview_paul_cornell
Hope you like the issue. The new printing of issue one, with new wraparound cover, should be alongside it in your comic shop. No major political figures featured this time, however. As I just told some journalists. Until next time, Cheerio!
Labels:
Captain Britain,
SFX,
Writing
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You couldn't have found some room for Colleen Rooney or the Dalai Lama then?
Gah!! I'm in US and it's today, and I want this comic but I have no idea where to get it. I live in upper goatville just near lower llamaland in the rural foothills. I haven't been to a comic/game store since I left NYC. Drat, I'll have to do some research and try and find a place before it gets sold out.
Congrats on publication day! Off to read your SFX interview now, so I can compare and contrast with Moran :).
Loving this book mate. Just read it of a dodgy download site but don't worry I'll be buying it tomorrow, when it reaches Scotland. On the subject of Scotland, any chance of seeing some Heroes from north of the border?
Thanks
In all honesty, I was sceptical when I heard that someone else was taking over the captain britain. Because, as im sure you are well aware, pretty much every recent captain britain book has been shite, bundled up in even more shite.
THEN, i went out and bought Wisdom, and laughed myself backwards. Skrull beatles? hahahaha, loved it.
I notice that you seem to have somehow remembered that cap is a bit magic! AND gotten rid of that silly new costume.
My favourite alan moore book of all time, is his run on captain britain. So, thanks to you, ill be trapsing all the way up to tottenham court road to get issue two tomorrow. Thank you SO much, for remembering the magic behind cap.
Hi Paul,
Just read issue 2 and really enjoyed it (story and art).
My man Dane got some issues huh?
Can't wait for next issue.
Only four comments? for this post? I guess the comic is still fairly new.
I thought it was excellent! I love the magic/technology/secret agent combination that this Captain Britain and MI13 provides. Keep up the excellent work!!
The end of this issue had one highly jaded seen-it-all-before 46-year-old lifelong comics reader saying "GAHHHH NO YOU CAN'T END IT THERE HOW CAN YOU END IT THERE MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!" So that was good. I'm bursting with questions, but it's clear that all the information being withheld so far is by authorial intent and not due to any shortcoming in the story or art. It's damned frustrating -- I've got my guess as to what's up with Faiza but you're not helping with the sparsity of clues, blast you -- but I suppose that's how you think you'll get us back reading the next issue. And you may just be right about that.
Thanks, all. Actually, Tom... Baa, what you want is the Comic Shop Locator, plonk those words into a search engine and you'll find Llamaland Comics and Cards. I've been asked about Scotland before, Mr. Dynamo, and yes, I feel we should get to that. Thanks Caleb, you came a bit close there to dissing other creators, but... I wobbled. And yes, magic is the thing. Cap is rather more Shazam than Superman. Gov, your man Dane actually has at least one more issue you haven't seen yet! Thanks Noise. And Rab, that's what we're after! Thanks very much for that post to brighten my day.
That's a very interesting interview. Lots of top tips for budding writers.
Thank you.
I didn't think it was possible to have an ending to top #1 but guess I was wrong. Now I wish I hadn't read it as soon as I got home. What do you mean I have to wait a whole month for the next part? Gah!
Just loving it - magic, aliens, fairies and superheroes. And Faiza is rapidly becoming one of my favourite comic book characters: "D'uh! Thinking!" :D
And the artwork really impressed on me too (I shamefully admit I tend not to notice). Hmm...might go turn this flurry of verbosity into an "official" letter...anyway thanks for another great comic and another squeeful Thursday!
Thanks for a great issue. Especially for the fantastic page revealing Excalibur and offering a Mortigan Goth mention. Further references to the old Marvel UK (and even an appearance or two) will gain you a reader for life...
I set my alarm for early (11 AM is early for me) so that I could get to the comic shop and read this before I went to work.
If I hadn't read you saying very glowing things about the character I'd be very concerned.
This is a character who has been mishandled in so many ways so many times, he's been depowered, repowered, depowered, repowered, depicted as a buffoon, "lost in the timestream" off panel immediately following Davis' awesome run on Excalibur to come back "X-treme!" as "Britanic," his origin muddled and confused, hack fill-in writers who could never get a crack at Spider-man making major drastic "Not a dream, not a hoax, not an imaginary tale!" changes to his character, replaced by a woman.
So now, we've gone ahead and thrown in the one missing thing:
He's now apparantly dead.
I sent them this letter:
---
It's been said that every comic character, no matter how mundane, is someone's favorite. Captain Britain is mine.
The Marvel UK works of Alan Moore, Jamie Delano and Alan Davis are pretty much my favorite comics ever, along with Davis' run as writer and penciler on Excalibur 42-67. To me, this is flat out genius superhero comic book stories at their best. The rest of his appearances, not so much. At his best, however, CB is as complex and compelling as any comic book character you're apt to find.
I really enjoyed issue 1 of Captain Britain and MI13. you seem to really have a respect and grasp on the character. I also liked the second one, although I'd have liked it better if Captain Britain were in it. I'd really like the third one if it doesn't result in an ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT CAPTAIN BRITAIN!!! I like him how he is, you see. I don't particularly need him as a woman, a King from another planet, or as a transformed brainwashed X-TREME version of himself from another timeline.
What I'm saying is, I'm a Captain Britain fan, and I have been long suffering. Please, Paul Cornell. I'm believing in you. Make it stop!
Paul. You're awesome. Thank you.
It's about time we had a decent ongoing British supers book from Marvel. I read Issue 1 and I was speechless with joy until BB apparently went Bah-Boom Bye-Bye. He's not dead though, right? RIGHT?!
Issue 2 was equally awesome. I love the possibilities of where this book can go and who can feature.
Any idea of how well it's selling. I mean, it's a winner, right? It's not going to run for 9 issues and be cancelled, right? I should stop ending these questions with right, yes?
Hi little words from over the Channel,
I am French indeed, so excuse all mistake I could made...
Well wonderful... Wisdom is a character I like since a long time but I thought only Ellis could manage writing him, you proved me wrong, I am glad to be wrong. So after reading the first issue I bought the Wisdom miniserie and after thought I was stupid not having already bought it (but "I thought only Ellis could ... glad to be wrong") .
Was very impressed by the first issue, in fact all the second issue confirmed all the good things I thought, I am longing for the third...
I am particularly impressed by the density you gave to the characters, their lines are so well written that it is as if they were characters I know from a very longtime... It sound true to the charaters and they have really their personnality.
And I confess that the last scene of Captain Britain in the first issue is the more impressive thing I ever read on the character (still have not read Moore's issues though), Kirk and you made him regal and glorious and Wisdom's comments was a bliss.
The first page of the second one is terrific too.
So... sincerely : merci.
n.
Hi Paul,
Fantastic about MI13. I missed out on the first issue sadly - but Rich Ems is sorting me out with the 2nd varient cover and issue two. So hope to read and comment on it soon - I look foreword to reading too.
BTW loved the interview you did for SFX. As a published writer myself, not for fiction - but for Star Trek Magazine and a number of smaller things - I definately related to it as a craft.
Though a little more so for me. I am dyslexic so often struggle - but get a great deal of satisfaction out of the process.
I hope issue two sells as well as number one for you. Though hopefully I will be able to get my mits on issue two before it sells out.
BTW have the art work for the new Flash Gordon comic at scifipulse.net and it looks stunning.
May be fun to have the cap meet the Knights of The Round Table. Just a crazy thought. Probably been done though.
In which the Skrulls invade Avalon, Faiza manifests powers, Pete gets some naging from the missus, Captain Britain is 'seemingly' dead, the Black Knight splits, John the Skrull is not worthy, Spitfire deems herself not worthy and Britain's magical talismen are melded into a ruddy great chain.
Mind, at the start of his career Captain Britain wore a similar, if smaller, chain. Which likely isn't in the least relevant, so I probably shouldn't mention it. Brian, dead or alive, isn't in this issue, being seemingly dead, but his presence is felt, as Brits everywhere - and Dane Whitman too - feel that he's been lost. I suspect he's merely in Otherworld, the other-dimensional realm where he quested with the Black Knight in the pages of Britain's Hulk Comic to decades or so ago. Dane even references that time here, so maybe I'm right for once.
Faiza's powers are, it's safe to say, unique - she seems to have become Gray's Anatomy Girl, turning people into living medical illustrations. For a few moments she accidentally transforms Dane into a sectioned person, with various levels of skin, bone, muscle and organ on display. It's not a great look for him. Being a sharp woman, though, Faiza soon learns how to use her newfound powers against the Skrulls, while staying true to her Hippocratic oath and religious beliefs.
Reasonably, she posits that her powers are related to her person - she's a doctor, so she gets doctorish abilities. That may also be why she envisions Excalibur as a syringe - well, that's how I saw it.
This is another spiffing issue (that's how we Brits speak, you know), with events moving at a cracking pace. Paul Cornell's script remains seriously intelligent and huge fun, while Leonard Kirk and Jesse Delperdang draw up a storm. Colourist Brian Reber and letterer Joe Caramagna adding the cherries to the artistic cake. Bryan Hitch's cover wasn't half-bad either.
This has to be one of Marvel's best comics.
Just one request - I know this book is in the hands of the X-office, but would you please reclaim Brian as a non-mutant? And Betsy too, if possible.
I don't know comics, but I *do* know medieval lit, and the Skrulls have got a surprise coming if they think decapitation will stop the Green Knight. Heh heh heh. Maybe Sir Gawain can show up at a crucial moment to point and laugh.
Many thanks for another great episode!
Hi Paul,
I guess I'm a lucky one - I manage a comic shop so I got to read issue #2 before anyone else in Des Moines Iowa. Considering how many comics I read per week, making sure I read Captain Britain first definitely sends high praise your way.
The first issue was indeed awesome and #2 even moreso. I love the fact that you're playing on Spitfire's vampiric side as well as her speed abilities. Leave it to you to approach a character from a different angle.
I read a review online of your book (and I wholeheartedly agree) that your take on Secret Invasion is much better than the main book. Not to knock Bendis, but your Skrulls seem to have a purpose as opposed to the "we're taking over the world" mentality of the green pointy-eared aliens.
I've loved how you've developed Wisdom into a fantastic character through his mini-series and now as the leader of MI:13. Same with John the Skrull and the Black Knight. And although I am far from being a Blade fan, I look forward to your take on his persona.
One quick question: I've seen the ad in Marvel Previews for an upcoming issue of Captain Britain and I would like to humbly ask (and hope) that a certain not-to-be-named character keep to his tradition of wearing a mask. If you know what I'm talking about, please keep the mask. If you have no idea what I'm blathering on about, nevermind.
Dear Mr Cornell (this is a letter column after all),
Thanks for the opportunity to write in and thanks for injecting some life into the UK Marvel heroes scene as it needed something a little different. As it is early days I thought I'd pitch some broader questions and hopefully avoid falling into fanboy territory.
* When you do your research is it all cold, hard fact-mining or do you try and get under the characters skin and let them speak for themselves?
* Is there any specific interpretation of Captain Britain that you felt best gelled with your take on him and/or was there some little fact/trait that helped “click” the character into place in your mind?
* How far ahead do you have things plotted out? Also how far ahead are the completed scripts that are sitting on the desks at Marvel?
* We have to assume Captain Britain is returning (after all his name is on the "door") but are there any plans to split the series and have him go his own way eventually? Or did the Die by the Sword events put him in a place where his multiverse commitments are less and he can stay in a UK-based team for the timebeing? As I don't expect (or want) you to show us all your cards a yes/no/maybe would be fine ;)
* As you are introducing British Marvel characters (both Marvel Comics and Marvel UK, the latter at least hinted at in previous interviews) is there the possibility that some of these characters might be spun-off into their own series (mini, maxi or ongoing)? Christos Gage's Union Jack mini-series was great for what it was (Gage can clearly write superheroes well), but it seemed an odd choice of character for the plot and you could have parachuted another character in and switched the setting without having to change the story much. A properly utilised Union Jack still has a lot of potential, I'm just not sure that was the best setting to show him off. Equally there are a lot of us Marvel UK fans hoping to see the old characters given another outing - even if a return of the imprint seems a remote dream. A long, rambling question for which you may be only able to reply yes/no/maybe/dunno.
* How closely do you work with the artists? As Kirk isn't British do you have to give him extra background material (compared to, say Trevor Hairsine)?
* The reception has been overwhelmingly positive - is this a great relief or more pressure to keep the quality up?
* How difficult is it writing a British-focused book for an international (specifically American, as that is where the market is, and all the fees too I hear!!)? The Comics Bulletin review noted a Mr Kipling joke, spot on from we Brits but something I suspect most of our American cousins would have to Google (in their words: “a reference that is sure to delight British readers and confuse pretty much everyone else”). Do you get any instructions on this from the editor or are you given a free hand as long as you don't jump in at the deep end with an entire storyline requiring an expert level grasp on Carry on Up the Khyber? The film not the Cockney rhyming slang (as I doubt/hope we'll be seeing any of that).
* Were you surprised by the reaction to Gordon Brown's appearance? Any plans for similar cameos or similar riffs on current events in the real world? Will a list UK registered heroes be left on a train perhaps?
Sorry I’ve been rambling on (you can chalk that up to enthusiasm) so I’ll end on a lighter note:
* How big do you think Captain Britain is (the non-nuked version)? Alan Davis presented us with a big guy but not unusually so (the kind of chap who would get headhunted for the rowing team at Oxford or Cambridge, before they started recruiting from the colonies), but in the party scene at the start of Die by the Sword he is the size of a cow and a very big cow - this cow in fact. It hadn't struck me until then but I has always felt while he wouldn't measure up against some of the vast American heroes on sheer physical power, he always had an edge due to mystical powers, a fancy pants suit and probably liberal supplies of tea (and probably the kind of pluck and gumption that built an Empire, minus all the oppression). In some ways it struck me as one of the key aspects to capturing the character - which goes back to the first point and that seems a good time to sign off.
Cheers,
Thanks very much, all. Cheers Adele, I used to be exactly the same sort of comics reader: I always preferred story over art. Ah, Cerandor, I'll have you from issue three, then! Rocko: I love your passion, and we shall see what we shall see. Garg: we're doing really well so far, having sold out of issue one. (The reprint isn't this week, by the way, but next week, I'll blog about that.) We're guaranteed 12 issues anyway, and all of us are aiming for issue 13. Nicodemus: wonderful to hear from you, merci tres bien. I have actually been thinking about taking our heroes to Rennes, so we may see some French scenes in the long term. Thanks so much for your kind words. Thanks, Pulse: there's nothing like overcoming a problem to make you good at the thing you weren't good at. Mart: thanks, if we're not careful, that's what Faiza might call herself! I'm not clear if Brian is a mutant or not (though he's the twin of one!) All being in the X-office means is that we're edited by Nick Lowe, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Night: I was very precise, let us say, in how the Green Knight was to be killed. It's only a flesh wound! Ah, Jeremy, you're the luckiest of us. I would love to run a comic shop. That also sold cricket equipment. Long Boxes, that's what it'd be called. All hail, Emperor! I tend to do more reacting to how the characters have been portrayed and getting continuity right that going for factual stuff, though when writing a novel I'm heavy on the factual. (I have the Police Training Manual on my desk right now.) Amongst the many Caps I like, I think Claremont's original isn't talked up enough. I know what the end of issue twelve is. You can absolutely expect some of those characters to show up. Leonard seems to be able to draw Britain very well, I haven't had to send him a single reference. We all feel a huge pressure to keep the quality up. This book is me, Leonard and Nick all working equally and together, and I think we just keep pushing each other. I allow myself maybe one Brit-centric joke (that Americans wouldn't perhaps get) every couple of issues. There's no point in alienating your audience, but I think they lend a bit of flavour, and American readers actually like them. Nick would tell me if I overdid, I'm sure. I was hugely surprised by the reaction to Gordon, but very pleased. And yes, Brian's size does vary (well, he is magic!) but as you've seen, we've just kept him the size of, well, not a cow. Cheers.
I think what's so far thrilling about this Secret Invasion arc is that Marvel's lower tier characters are really being given a chance to shine. Nowehere is this more in evidence than in CB&M13! Before picking up this book I never really clicked with characters like Pete Wisdom or Captain Britain thinking them to be pretty hammy English caricatures. Not any more. CB is as bombastic, vital and beautifully illustrated as any Avengers book out there. There we go-- praise lavish enough for you?
Thanks for the prompt replies, this sounds great and while the official sales estimates aren't out it sounds like the sales have matched the positive response (hopefully they'll also get more people reading the Wisdom trade - it was a must-read before all this and now essential reading) so there are no fears of cancellation and from the interviews it sounds like you are bursting with ideas. Which suggests the future looks rosy for the title.
Anyway no more questions but I should say that I was happy to hear this about Union Jack*: "who's called Joey? Okay, kangaroos in Aussie, but apart from that..." It always niggled me as nobody in Britain, of that age, deliberately call themselves Joey (for those not old or British enough just Google "Joey Deacon") and, while a small detail it did demonstrate you were not only making all the characters your won but putting a lot of thought into even the supporting characters (which can be tricky when juggling a large cast) - another good sign for the future.
* While I do return to UJ fanatic (the early Marvel UK titles are closer to my heart - I was reading the Alan Moore Captain Britain as it came out in The Daredevils, which was blowing my socks off at the time) but it was the handling of Joseph Chapman in particular that underlined some of my concerns - while well handled in both his solo adventures, there were little bits (like the whole "Joey" business) that had me thinking "Yes but" and, even though it is early days for this series it does look like you have "nailed" the characters, which not only gives me high hopes but the suspicion you might exceed my great expectations.
Thanks Paul for the encouragement. Though I don't consider myself a good writer - more a work in progress.
Nice ideas to those who expanded on the Knights of the round table idea. I think that would be such a cool crossover.
I haven't ever read any of the CB strips. Truth be told I'd never heard of the strip util I read Pauls brief interview about it in SFX and thought, 'This sounds pretty cool'. From there I obviously started looking him up on the net lol.
Anyway I probably will not see issue one and two of the comic til next week:( Hopefully.
It feels like have been waiting a awhile - but all the feed back have heard about the books and well from what have read here it sounds worth the wait.
I just hope you get more than 12 issues.
BTW everyone. I am SciFiPulse. I'd forgot to sign into my blog as Ian M. Cullen when I posted last night. But just so you know we're both the same it, thing, person or whatever:)
hi my names taz , i bought CB today in bedford i dont if im aloud but there's a comic shop called close encounters which is amazing . i really liked the dialogue between Dane and Faiza . i hope Joey (Union Jack) will be making an apperance soon. any way one issue in and you made me realise why i read comics again . lol im 20 imagine when i tell girls erm you want to look at my Chris Claremont era Xmen or Alias lol good times .
Ian definitely check out some Captain Britain as it has a stellar cast of creators. You don't need it as background for CB&MI13 (the Wisdom limited series will give you a solid grounding in most of the other characters, and a great read to boot!!!) but there are some of the best stories around. The Alan Moore run has now been collected into a trade paperback and it still passes the test of time (and ticks plenty of sci-fi boxes) that then leads into the Delano/Davis run and on into Excalibur. As Paul says the earlier Captain Britain stories are well worthing checking out too and Panini have collected them into a couple of volumes too. Details and ISBNs on Wikipedia.
Well, I'm here in Wildwood, New Jersey, this week - on holiday. Sadly I probably won't get near a comic book store until next week, when we're back near Philadephia. Luckily I already have a copy of #2 on my doorstep in Warwickshire, awaiting my return.
Nobody better pinch it in my absence! ;D
This is the most creative, exciting and interesting book Marvel is putting out right now. If we only get 12 issues of it, I'll be disappointed by a MAJOR bungle.
I loved WISDOM (have the trade), and was eager to get CB & MI3. The thing that sealed the deal? Page #1 of issue #2. Brilliant, understated...this is a comic, yes, but one that rises above stereotype and cliche' to give the reader something fun, yes, but ultimately meaningful and emotionally true.
I love the ensemble cast, and can't wait to see how they all come together. I also hope that we will see more of Captain Midlands, and that we get to see Union Jack in these pages.
Paul, thanks for giving us a book that I know I eagerly await each month. It has been a VERY long time since this has been the case of ANY comic out there.
Thanks for the quick reply Paul. I find it funny that you mention having a comic shop/cricket shop, since I learned how to play cricket from you at Gallifrey several years ago. Go Platypuses! (Or is it Platypi?)
Mike: it suffices, thank you! Hail, Emperor: Joe's going to pop in for some meaningful character work, but he's not going to be with the team, as such. However, that doesn't mean he won't be in several issues, if my current plans work out. (Don't worry, that doesn't mean we're planning on doing anything huge and weird with him.) Taz: a shared interest in comics was a big factor in me and my wife getting together! I shall tell the story one day. (And I love it when letter writers start talking to each other: the sign of a healthy letters page.) Sword: don't your powers decline when out of Britain? Thank you very much, Prof. And yes, Jeremy, I remember. I hope we get to play again in February.
Ah but I suspect UJ could cope with "huge and weird" and as you've shown in Wisdom you do "huge and weird" rather well (in a number of different ways).
I think, by now, we all trust you with "box of toys" of British Marvel characters and they should come out of it having got a polish that should set them up nicely for the future (as opposed to deconstructing them and giving them a post-modern makeover - which was always a bit of a nagging fear).
Thanks Emperor,
I'll definately try and check some of those out at some point. However I am committed to reading Pauls take first - between my Dresden Books lol - as well as the new Flash Gordon comic when it comes out in August of this year.
I think I am in real danger of becoming a media junkie - but I'm not really that much of one because I sort of select what media I watch, read and try.
Thing is with comics though. I kind of stopped reading them when I turned 14 or 15 and I've only really dipped into them since that time for graphic novels - as in all episodes of the comics in one volume which means I never miss a part.
So when I get CB, next week hopefully - I will likely read both back to back and then growl because I'm left hanging.
Having read up a little I have to admit that I am a little intrigued about characters such as Lord Hawk and of Course The Fury. Both of which I know are not featured in the MI13 strip.
Just receved the first two issues in my FP subscription, and all I can say Paul is fan-bloody-tastic!
It's great to see someone with a real affection (and understanding) for British superheroes writing them, and I think in the space of the first issue you managed to make us care about Captain Britain again. Something I thought was damned near impossible...
Quick question though: given Faiza's mention of Digitek in the first issue, can we expect to look forward to appearences from any of the old Marvel UK stable?
I know you probably want to keep some things secret (love the idea of Blade joining the book. glad someone remembers he's a Brit...) I've just been praying for years for someone to pick up some of the old characters: Motormouth & Killpower, Mystech, Warheads, etc.
One of last years Initiative books got me all excited with a spread featuring Captain Britain, Union Jack and one Joseph Hauer, of the old Super Soldiers title. Any chance you can give us a hint if any of these malcontents might be due for an appearence ;)
Anyway, loving the book, can't wait for the next issue (just need to try and track down Wisdom now...)
Hi, all.
Just finished issue 2 and thought I'd try the blog link (for the first time in my 43 years on this planet!) My kids have tried but I thought Blog was a kids show from the '70s.
Good stuff, Paul, so I'll be checking in regularly.
I love all things Captain Britain. Yes, I am one of those who's been around from issue 1 of the British weekly - and wore the mask (once only just to try it on, honestly!)
So for all his faults as a character, Brian Braddock has always been a favourite of mine, so as much as I love the book (writing, artwork, everything), I'll reserve final judgement until I see the outcome of this initial storyline.
I was going to ask for the return of the original costume, but it doesn't seem likely now, eh?
Cheers
JR
Lord Hawk's in the Paninini reprint volumes of the Captain Britain Weekly stuff, but... well... no, I'll let you experience that for yourself. Thanks very much, Dawf. We're trying to have room for quite a few such characters as we go along. Don't be surprised to see some. Goodness, I got someone into blogging for the first time! And someone who wore the Cap mask! (Which wasn't actually very like his mask, if I recall.) I hope you continue to enjoy it, I hope we manage to offer added value on a regular basis for those who know the character from that far back.
Hey JR, welcome to the 21st century.
It gets better from here, probably.
Thanks for the nod, Paul. I bought the Wisdom trade when I first heard of this Captain Britain book and liked it very much. There's a whole background tapestry of government employed characters from CB's mythos that I think you utilize well. I'm not British so I might be wrong, but it seems the whole government agency aspect is "Veddy British." I'm looking at old Dai Thomas here, and Alistaire Stuart. Is there a storyline explanation for his being an old man in that? If not, can I try for a No-Prize?
Any chance of Kylun or Micromax showing up? Kylun in particular is a bad cat, sadly underutilized. Michael and Gabriel of RCX? Gatecrasher? These are all characters who are all still in play, never or rarely seen since Davis' run on Excalibur.
And still a few days left to pick up your copy of the monthly IMPACT magazine on the UK newstands which also features an interview with our gracious host.
Website: http://www.impactmoviemagazine.co.uk/index.php
Really enjoying this!!
Was there a touch of The Destroyer from Dr Who in issue two?
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Destroyer.
Keep up the ace work!
Big fan since Captain Britain 1 and particularly of the Kirby illo featuring Steve Rogers! I'd like to see psychometrist Kate Frazer again. Also Alan Davis's Vixen (last seen Excalibur #3, Vol.1?)
hi its Taz again , i think im going to actually sign up so im not annoymous lol. Paul thats actually really intresting because anytime i tell a girl that i like comics , they either think i have problems lol or am a bit of a geek. saying that i see a few girls going to comic shops nowadays. any way the main reason im "Writing" is to ask have you thought about doing a Uncanny Xmen / Captain Britain Crossover ? I know its early but as his sister was a Longtime X Man it could be intresting lol assuming he come's back from the dead. I hope he does i love Brubakers CA with no Steve Rogers, but Brian is such an underused character in the marvel universe i would love for him to get some primetime . any way im going on a bit so untill its revealed that super skrull is really a oh i see lol .
Kinda reviewed #1 over on my own little corner of the Internet... basically, love the UK vibe, love Faiza, love the Black Knight, loved Captain Britain's role...
#2 keeps up the quality, quirky and witty and badass at the same time. I'm not sure I wanted Faiza to get powers, but I'm eager to see where it leads. Didn't think Captain Britain was actually dead, but if he is, that's really gutsy (and again, something to keep reading for).
Good work, as usual.
Thanks Paul,
Will look at the panini reprints later on - as it stands am actually mulling over buying up all back issues of the secret invasion story lines as well as your CB.
Rather funny really because Flash Gordon and CB have sort of got me back into comics - and with a new Buck Rogers coming coming out later in the year as well. Looks like I'm going to have a fair bit of reading to do between my writing exploits.
Ian
Gordon Brown being in Captain Britian was the basis of a round on Good News Week here in Australia! Congrats on that- you've made it big now.
Hey Ian, if you don't have them, I'd recommend hitting the bins and looking for any Excalibur issues between 42-67, if you have not.
Rocko: there's *going* to be a storyline explanation for Alistaire. In our world, it's that poor old Manuel Garcia didn't have a reference. But out of such things are good stories made. And you never know. Mosby: you're shameless! Rich: I see what you mean, but if so that's Leonard's doing, not mine. Dougie: isn't Vixen out of the game these days? Taz: I've almost entirely dated geek girls, who are of course the best sort. (Fairly safe saying that here...) I wouldn't mind crossovers down the line, but let's set these guys up and make them solidly themselves first. Thanks for the very kind review, Siskoid. Ian: are you doing PR for Flash Gordon? Or is that just your fave thing? Jess: yeah, I heard, great stuff! I loved Good News Week when I lived down there. Cheers.
Love both issues of MI13. I also loved your recent(ish) issue of Young Avengers Presents.
Clicking through to the SFX article now. From what I remember of the writers panel at the Birmingham con you give good advice :-D
Keep up the good work!
Actually, as a bit of an aside to my last comment, any plans to attend this years Birmingham Con? It'd be awesome to get these MI13's and YA:Presents signed by yours truly.
I see the cover of #5 - featuring Blade - has now gone up on Newsarama and at higher-res on CBR. Nice one!
Talking about how Brits are represented in US comics, it always puzzled me that while you'll see English, Scots, and Irish characters you never see any Welsh ones, until I realized that most Americans had never even heard of Wales (something Doctor Who and Torchwood are changing). Indeed, the only time I can ever recall Wales appearing in a Marvel comic was in an old issue of ROM. Described as being on the south coast of England, it was depicted as being full of the same superstitious pitchfork-wielding peasants that constitute about 90% of the population of Europe in the Marvel universe. They also said 'ye' and 'thee' a lot, thus demonstrating the writer's deep grasp of the subtleties and nuances of English as spoken by the Welsh.
- Rob Hansen
I just wanted to say "Thank You".
When this comic was first solicited, I wrote to ask if you would be addressing certain aspects of characters (and certain other characters outright), and you have, in a scant 2 issues allayed all my fears.
Black Knight seems to still have the "Shield of Night" (so I'd imagine, having the "Sword-of-Light" as a back-up blade might be in the cards).
Also, even a brief mention of Mortigan Goth gives me hope for an appearance.
An interview mention of "Mindless Ones" and a certain Mr. Eric Brooks gets me revved as well.
While Doctor Strange isn't British, he is one of the "grand poobahs" of magic, and as such, will hopefully make an appearance not too far off.
Tantalizing teasers in the last page of # 2 have me eager for more.
What an ending!
You've got me hooked.
~P~~
PTOR
Hi Paul,
To answer your question yes I’m a fan of Flash Gordon – I pretty much know most the history of that franchise – and yes I am sort giving Rich Emms and Brendan Deneen a little free Publicity via my website. If I got paid for this stuff I’d be much better off lol. But do it all for fun.
I run the UK Science Fiction and Fantasy website scifipulse.net which has evolved over the last 7 years – and right now I’m trying to get more news up there about UK science fiction and fantasy – while continuing to post stuff for my US readers.
The two biggest comic related stories at the moment for me are your Captain Britain which have done a bit of coverage on – but can’t really do too much more until I have read the comics and got a feel for the characters and Flash Gordon which I am covering partly because I felt so let down by the American TV series they did last year which sucked and destroyed all that was good about the character – they may as well have called it Rift Blasters and had done with it. I’m fairly new to comics in terms of writing about them much less reading them on a regular basis. They also have a Buck Rogers Comic due out later in the year. Crossover perhaps Dan Dare meets Buck and feeds him the Mekon maybe.
Anyhow have gone from being just a TV news site to the broader audience of TV, Film, Comics and Video Games. So have been spread pretty thin – and my weekend project right now is scripting an original comic story. My own creation – which is a comedy short I am doing as a one off for an experiment.
You can visit the site at www.scifipulse.net
You can also read one of my very first editorials on the subject of the top three British comics at (http://scifipulse.net/?p=245).
The site is packed with features, interviews, reviews and news.
So if you want to stick me on Marvels MI13 mailing list or know how to get me on it so I can preview CB and do better at promoting it please do. My E-mail is listed under contact information on my website. Or web blog.
Sorry to have gone into hyper babble mode – but I like a good mix of stuff.
Got to get some work down now.
Ian
Dan: I haven't been invited to Birmingham, but I don't know if anyone has yet, so I'm not certain. But if you can make it down to Cheltenham on Saturday, I'm signing at Proud Lion. Will blog today. Rob: well, there was a Welsh issue of Wisdom. Thanks, Mr. Sanctorum, or may I call you Sanctum? And Ian, this has become the Marvel Age of shameless plugging. New blog today, I hope!
Paul: D'oh! I have the Wisdom TPB (currently on loan) but had somehow managed to forget that. Funny how as you get older you rember things from decades ago more clearly than those from a few months back.
- Rob Hansen.
Thanks Paul,
It pretty much half a blog entry - you gave me enough stuff to write a shameless plug - just hope my bath doesn't overun because of this.
http://scifipulse.net/?p=404
Hope you don't mind but used some of the links you provided. Would have mentioned fantastic 4 lol - but not enough info on that yet to do a proper job.
Hope you like it anyhow.
Take care
Ian
I just registerd and it deleted my whole comment lol . In short i was trying to say i really i enjoy the placing of Pete Wisdom as one of the main characters and will be looking to buy the TPB you wrote focused soley on him. Also i find it intresting to know what other Comic fans do outside of Comics . Im actually a part time Bricklayer (yay) i might go full time over summer or more likely do Psychology in uni. Your previous comment about "Geek Girls " made me laugh out loud in my experiance most girls i know prefer anime to the mainstream publishers , but with previous girl friends its really the less said about why i have 6 crates of comics and a cardboard cutout of Iceman (im not even counting my Trades here lol ) the better. The truth is i have only once met what you would call a "stereotypical Comic Book fan" and even he had much more interesting things to say than most of my peers in highschool . Ialways end up going on lol i really should have a on/off switch . Thanks for your time .
Just finished issue 2 and enjoyed it thoroughly. Very much appreciate the way you've picked up on the various Marvel takes on Avalon over the years, especially the Green Chapel and its Knight from "Knights of Pendragon" (KoP series #1 being a personal favorite). But wasn't the Sword of Might identified as being the same weapon as Excalibur in Ben Raab's "Excalibur" miniseries a few years back?
i love Captain Britain and MI13!! This has got the be the best comic there is out there right now. I sincerely believe that... the art is great, and the writing is stellar... I can go on and on and be analytical in so many levels about how i see this comic as a worthy piece of literature, but that would be just nerdy. Mr. Cornell, I am a great fan.
Thanks, all. I came home from the signing with a huge Cap cardboard figure! Alan: ah, but things in Avalon are determined by the way the British unconscious is thinking, so maybe there have been some informative news articles about swords lately. And thank you, erm, Mr. Bunny. Cheers.
I loved that A) You guys put the address in the back of the comic book, smart and awesome. This is something that I'm amazed all the other writers haven't done.
B) I started reading Cap Britain and MI13 due to some people on Youtube urging me to do so. I love it. There is something about the British/Magic/and Shakespeare. It all seems to work wonderfully together for only YOU heh (though Pacino's Looking for Richard is awesome). Anywhooooo, i'm a big fan of Cap from Excalibur days, and am loving the other front on the Secret Invasion. I've now bookmarked this page and plan on coming back often and haranguing the denizens. Thanks for the great writing!