Captain Britain (real nameBrian Braddock) was a superhero who was given his powers by a disguisedMerlin the Wise, who was subtly directing Braddock's life to make him mentally and physically prepared for a task. Merlin would once resurrect Captain Britain from the dead. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"]) He would reluctantly work alongside theSpecial Executive. (COMIC:Executive Action^[+]Loading...["Executive Action (comic story)"])

Later, he would be one of the founding members of the teamExcalibur, after the apparentdeath of several members of theX-Men. (COMIC:The Sword is Drawn^[+]Loading...["The Sword is Drawn (comic story)"]) At some point, he visitedMaruthea. (COMIC:Party Animals^[+]Loading...["Party Animals (comic story)"],The Incomplete Death's Head^[+]Loading...["The Incomplete Death's Head (comic story)"])

After sacrificing himself, he was again brought back by Merlin, (COMIC:The Guns of Avalon^[+]Loading...["The Guns of Avalon (comic story)"]) a fact that other individuals such asPlokta (COMIC:Hell Comes to Birmingham^[+]Loading...["Hell Comes to Birmingham (comic story)"]) andDracula were aware of, with the latter calling him, among other things, "Merlinson". (COMIC:Vampire State^[+]Loading...["Vampire State (comic story)"])

Biography[[edit] |[edit source]]

Early life[[edit] |[edit source]]

Brian Braddock wasborn intoa family as one of twotwins, along with hissister,Elizabeth. He was "toopoor toassociate with hisaristocraticpeers", and "tooproud to seek thecompany of the lowerclasses", making him a "lonelychild", at least according toMerlyn.

He continued this loneliness as he grew, andstudiedphysics. He pursued various "brief and shallowrelationships", pursuingone of these on thenight that hisparentsdied, leading him to feel greatguilt. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

Becoming Captain Britain[[edit] |[edit source]]

As ayoungman, Braddock attendedThames University andworked at theDarkmoor Research Centre, ajob he took during hisholidays from university. One night, the complex wasattacked byJoshua Stragg, alias "the Reaver", with Braddock fleeing. Outside, he stumbled upon "the group of standing stones at the heart of Darkmoor", where he saw avision, urging him to "take up themystic amulet that was tochange his veryexistence".

Transformed into Captain Britain, he fought various foes, such asRed Skull andSlaymaster. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

As a hermit[[edit] |[edit source]]

Mid-flight over theAtlantic Ocean, Braddock bailed out ofthe plane he was travelling in, convinced that it was underattack from theforces of darkness. He washed up ona beach inCornwall withamnesia, not remembering who he was or how he got there.

He became ahermit on the Cornishcoast fortwoyears as hispsyche settled. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

First death[[edit] |[edit source]]

After hispsyche settled, he was called upon again tofight alongside theBlack Knight in theservice ofMerlin, going on severaladventures where he fought againsttrolls,ogres,demons, andnightgaunts. In fighting, hedied, "hisspiritdrifting almost to thejaws of existinction before beingrescued by Merlin. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

Second death[[edit] |[edit source]]

He was taken toOtherworld, where he was finally atpeace, histwoopposinghalves finally beingreconciled into a singlebeing. He was later sent toan alternate Earth alongside theelfJackdaw as hiscompanion. During this, Jackdawperished afterassisting Captain Britain against the inhabitants of the parallel world.

He realised thatJim Jaspers was thecause of thelunacy he wasexperiencing, leading him to flee interror, running intothe Fury, Jaspers' "most lethalcreation". With Captain Britain as its only remainingtarget, the Furyhunted him down andkilled him. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

Second revival[[edit] |[edit source]]

Due to areality-storm, the only remains recoverable of Captain Britain were arag, abone, and ahank ofhair. With these, he wasrevived for a second time byMerlyn, with the assistance ofRoma, first reconstructing his body andsuit, then placing hisspirit back into said body. He was placed inDarkmoor,8 September1982, and was grateful for being saved. (COMIC:A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair...^[+]Loading...["A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair... (comic story)"])

Founding Excalibur[[edit] |[edit source]]

After the death of several members of theX-Men, he eventually became one of the founding members of the new teamExcalibur. (COMIC:The Sword is Drawn^[+]Loading...["The Sword is Drawn (comic story)"])

On Maruthea[[edit] |[edit source]]

He later attendedBonjaxx'sbirthday party atMaruthea. He wore costumes decorated with aUnion Flag design, and another that was a red jumpsuit.

Two different versions of him participated in a fight which was started by aMeep: one fought acyborg with achainsaw arm, while another foughtJohn Steed andEmma Peel. (COMIC:Party Animals^[+]Loading...["Party Animals (comic story)"])

Encounter with Death's Head and Death's Head II[[edit] |[edit source]]

Captain Britain also offeredDeath's Head andhis future self to help fightHob, but they refused. (COMIC:The Incomplete Death's Head^[+]Loading...["The Incomplete Death's Head (comic story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] |[edit source]]

1990s Captain Britain (COMIC:Party Animals)

• Captain Britain was Marvel UK's flagship character in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His ties toDoctor Who Weekly were written byAlan Moore and drawn byAlan Davis, bothDWM alumni; Moore was also friends with Merlin creatorSteven Parkhouse. Many years later,Paul Cornell would have Merlin the Wise appear in hisCaptain Britain and MI:13 run.
• Captain Britain is seen three times inParty Animals wearing three different costumes. First, he is wearing his original costume fromCaptain Britain Weekly (1976-77) while standing withCaptain UK. Next, he is wearing his new costume fromMarvel Superheroes #377 (1981),The Daredevils (1983),Captain Britain (1985-86), etc. while punching the chief of thecannibals. Last, he is seen wearing his costume fromKnights of Pendragon (1990-91) while holdingJohn Steed. AsthreedifferentDoctors were present, this could mean Captain Britain is there three times too.

External links[[edit] |[edit source]]

• Captain Britain atMarvel Database