I’m breaking blog silence to wish Captain Britain a huge Happy Birthday, in honour of this great celebration I wrote a poem about Cap which is part of the fantastic coverage over at the Avengers UK Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Avengers UK
UPDATE the Captain Britain Facebook page is still open.
It’s with a heavy heart that today my Captain Britain Blog closes its doors for good. The last two years – on and off – that I’ve spent writing about Cap and his marvelous world has been fun but now it’s time to bring it all to an end.
Why? Well I simply don’t have the time to write about Cap anymore, or trace down news on him. The reason for this lack of time is my unexpected success in writing poetry, my book is doing well – for an amateur self published effort – and I want to spend more time performing and writing poems so something has to give and that something is this blog.
So I’m not going to prevaricate or waffle, it was a great time but now I’m moving on. Thanks to all the supporters, retweeters, news hounds and commenters. Thanks to Avengers UK for the support and allowing me to write a comic with them and the talented Pete Jones.
Even if Cap does come back – and I hope he does – I’m going to leave that to someone else to write about and I bet there will be plenty of you.
So long and thanks,
Richard.
Still blogging and writing poems here
With Captain Britain news light and my summer holiday imminent the blog will be shutting down for two weeks starting from today.
I hope you all have a good summer break and I’ll see you in a fortnight. Until then please enjoy this Captain Britain entry I found on Trip Advisor.
Until next time you can keep up to date with all the Captain Britain news and views by liking The Captain Britain fans’ page and Blog on Facebook, or on Pinterest, or subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the link top right. Already following the site on Facebook? Well you can still help by liking and sharing the blogs posts, thanks in advance. You can also email the site with news, feature ideas or whatever is on your mind at captainbritainblog@gmail.com
Facebook followers not only get the regular posts but extra content I dredge from the site’s archives or I find as I trawl the internet
When Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders was announced a lot of Cap fans myself included were excited by the idea but disappointed not to see the original Captain Britain in his own Secret Wars title. Since then we’ve had Secret Wars issue 2 and fans are now uncertain if they are glad their wish came true or not.
Anyway now Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders issue one is finally here I can honestly say it’s a great read and fills the original Captain Britain gap so well I think fans are going to be disappointed it’s a limited series. Why is it so good ? My full thoughts follow the cover image, beware they contain spoilers. So if you haven’t read Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders yet do yourself a favor and get hold of a copy, read it and then come back. You won’t regret it!
Mighty Defenders opens with an interesting twist on Marvel history and Ewing continues to entertain throughout issue 1. The cast is well introduced, with Ewing never straying too far from the action and he also brings an interesting sub plot to the title as characters seem to remember their pre Secret Wars identities in mini flashback sequences, that added a nice extra dimension to the story. And what a great story it is.
Faiza is lost, adrift almost in time and space. She also remembers her life before Secret Wars, which we see in this nice flashback panel.
Seeking refuge in Yinsen City, Faiza’s actions violate the laws of Dr Doom who in an act of petty revenge destroys the peace by allowing Yinsen’s despotic neighbour, Mondo City, to invade. Which they proceed to do quickly and in style.
Faiza and the Defenders of Yinsen City are quick to retaliate, in a great tightly paced action sequence that Davis illustrates magnificently. But just when things are going well….
Faiza is laid low by a sneaky telekinetic attack from this Battleworld’s version of Emma Frost and the issue ends with her captive but defiant.
That’s a great looking panel and I was going to discuss the art in detail. However after some thought all there is to say is Alan Davis draws the hell out of this story and it all looks bloody gorgeous. On top of this great art when you then add in Mark Farmer’s inks and Wil Quintana’s colours you get a really rather lovely looking book.
So if you only pick up one Secret Wars title I certainly recommend this one. It has a cracking story, marvelous art and will keep you gripped from cover to cover. I’ve tried to not reveal all the surprises and great extras that pepper the book as I hope as you encounter them as I did they will bring a smile to your face and make you just want to read more.
Have you read Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders yet? Do you agree or disagree with my review? Why not let me know in the comments section below.
Until next time you can keep up to date with all the Captain Britain news and views by liking The Captain Britain fans’ page and Blog on Facebook, or on Pinterest, or subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the link top right. Already following the site on Facebook? Well you can still help by liking and sharing the blogs posts, thanks in advance. You can also email the site with news, feature ideas or whatever is on your mind at captainbritainblog@gmail.com
Facebook followers not only get the regular posts but extra content I dredge from the site’s archives or I find as I trawl the internet
Did you know that in 1978 Captain Britain appeared at Wimbledon or as it was known then Wimbleton? Did you know that at the hallowed tennis club he joined Spider-Man in a tennis match against Dr Octopus? No? Well all of this happened in Spidey Super Stories issue 32, let me tell you about it.
Before we start I must confess I only found out about this story in the last twenty-four hours and I am indebted to followers of the Captain Britain fans’ page and blog Facebook page, in particular Janet Black for bringing this piece of Captain Britain madness to my attention. This story is so great it would be rude not to share it with my readers but first a bit of background
Started in the Seventies Spidey Super Stories was a comic spin-off from the TV show of the same name. Issue 32 saw Spidey team up with Captain Britain in a rather topical adventure set at the Wimbledon/Wimbleton tennis tournament. For those who like the facts this story was written by Jim Salicrup and penciled by Win Mortimer, it was published in March 1978.
Cap attempts to foil a heist by Doc Ock. You have got to love those old fashioned bank bags full of coins, so impractical.
Spidey in London for various reasons joins in, only for there to be the usual mix up. I love the last panel here with the “SOCK” as Cap brains Spidey.
Aunt May is dragged into the fight as Doc Ock uses her as a hostage to get to Wimbledon/ Wimbleton. At no time is it explained why Aunt May has a flower pot on her head but moving on.
Cap and Spidey team up and head after him, despite the petty name calling. Flag face indeed!
Doc Ock shows he’s certainly not going to play fair.
Armed with a web bat and staff Captain Britain and Spidey challenge Doc Ock. Gotta love those super mustaches on the Wimbleton judges.
And Doc Ock reveals his true motives, stealing the Wimbledon/Wimbleton prize money.
Luckily with a combination of web and force field Cap and Spidey stop the nefarious villain.
And with Aunt May rescued by Spider-Woman, Doc Ock is marched off to jail
I’m for once lost for words, this one-off story is so mad and marvelous in its insanity. I love the idea that Captain Britain appeared at Wimbledon/Wimbleton, I love the idea Doc Ock is good at tennis simply because he has so many arms and I love the fact Cap uses his brains and force field to capture the Doc.
I’m not sure why Wimbledon is renamed Wimbleton, I mean it was only in 1977 that Cap faced off against the Queen and Marvel didn’t see fit to change anything then so why Wimbledon’s name was altered is beyond me?
Apparently I’m informed this isn’t Cap’s only appearance in Spidey Super Stories and I have an eBay order out for another wild tale. If your interested in this series why not check out Robin Barnard and his talented friends excellent parodies of these comics on Facebook. Check it out here.
Until next time you can keep up to date with all the Captain Britain news and views by liking The Captain Britain fans’ page and Blog on Facebook, or on Pinterest, or subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the link top right. Already following the site on Facebook? Well you can still help by liking and sharing the blogs posts, thanks in advance. You can also email the site with news, feature ideas or whatever is on your mind at captainbritainblog@gmail.com
Facebook followers not only get the regular posts but extra content I dredge from the site’s archives or I find as I trawl the internet
Welcome to a new feature for the Captain Britain fans’ page and blog, a news and views round-up of all things Cap, for June 2015. Will we see a new Captain Britain series after Secret Wars? Just why was the Contest of Champions so crazy? Read on and find out.
June 1st
So we started the month with some bad news from Cap, as he was expunged from a Marvel Universe poster.
Read more about the now you see him and now you don’t Captain Britain here.
June 3rd
Meanwhile after a center stage performance in Secret Wars issue two, Cap and the Braddock family get glossed over in issue 3. But Meggan branches out.
Read about Cap’s off panel cameo and Meggan in A-Force here.
June 8th
Over on Facebook Cap voiced his displeasure at the start of another week.
June 10th
Luckily it wasn’t all bad, kick back with a look at some classic Cap action from 1982 when he appeared in the Contest of Champions.
Read about how Cap for once found himself paired with some marvel A-listers here.
June 11th
Over on Facebook we covered current Captain Britain and the Mighty Defender’s writer Al Ewing’s favorite heroes.
June 15th
Your monthly ahhhh factor is delivered via this picture of pint size Cap and Meggan. You’re welcome.
June 17th
Ever wondered why Captain Britain and Dr Doom don’t get on?
Administer a mighty Stplanng and click here to read more.
June 23rd
Why not take a look at my Top 5 favorite Captain Britain custom action figures.
Click here to see the surprise number one.
June 24th
Good news for digital comics fans as more Cap content comes to Comixology.
June 28th
We end the month on some interesting news, a rumour that there will be a Captain Britain ongoing series after Secret Wars.
So I hope you found that news and views round-up useful. Let me know what you think, do the fancy Facebook inserts work and how it could be improved in the comments below.
This was only a highlight of June for Captain Britain, you can keep up to date with all the Captain Britain news and views by liking The Captain Britain fans’ page and Blog on Facebook, or on Pinterest, or subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the link top right. Already following the site on Facebook? Well you can still help by liking and sharing the blogs posts, thanks in advance. You can also email the site with news, feature ideas or whatever is on your mind at captainbritainblog@gmail.com
Facebook followers not only get the regular posts but extra content I dredge from the site’s archives or I find as I trawl the internet
There’s a lot of very talented people out there making custom action figures of Captain Britain, and today we’re going to highlight five of these creators and their work. People who were not content to make standard Cap figures, but went that one step further to produce some great original action figures.
Let’s start with a great take on Cap, one that shows him without his mask.
Designed and built by Mat’s Customs, I love the perfect capture of Brian Braddock with his marvelous coiffure.
Next is a figure I’ve featured before but which always impresses me with its level of detail, zombie Captain Britain.
He really looks fierce, and is that the remnants of Nightcrawler he’s holding ?
Next up is a great retro figure.
From Troy Younger comes a Mego Cap which imagines how he might have looked had he been released as an action figure in the Seventies.
I’m not sure what this figure represents so I’ve called it medieval Cap.
From toycutter I love Cap’s shield and sword plus the figure seems bulkier almost as if that’s armour Cap is wearing.
The last figure now and I believe I’ve saved the best til last.
From Jodi Moisan via the John Byrne forum comes this fantastic My Little Pony Captain Britain which I think is marvelous.
So there you have five original Captain Britain custom figures which celebrate the amazing talents of his fans. Which is your favourite ? Do you own any custom Captain Britain figures? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time you can keep up to date with all the Captain Britain news and views by liking The Captain Britain fans’ page and Blog on Facebook, or on Pinterest, or subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the link top right. Already following the site on Facebook? Well you can still help by liking and sharing the blogs posts, thanks in advance. You can also email the site with news, feature ideas or whatever is on your mind at captainbritainblog@gmail.com
Facebook followers not only get the regular posts but extra content I dredge from the site’s archives or I find as I trawl the internet
