By Paul Cornell, Leonard Kirk, Mike Collins & others (Marvel/Panini UK)
ISBN: 978-1-84653-439-3
There’s an old maxim of the industry that’s usually applied to war comics which goes something like this: when it’s for Britain it’s “how we won the Warâ€, and when it’s for America it’s “how He won the Warâ€, which although obnoxious and rather insulting does illustrate a signal difference in approach and reader expectation.
It’s one that is most apparent in this final collection of the excellent superhero espionage thriller featuring a hodge-podge of Marvel’s UK-based champions. Although Captain Britain is the named lead he is one of the least used characters in the ensemble show, regularly yielding focus to team-mates such as mutant spymaster Peter Wisdom, sometime Avenger Black Knight, WWII veteran (and vampire) Spitfire, spirit of Albion Dr. Faiza Hussain and spooky “Big Gun†Blade the Vampire Slayer.
This time the multiracial, multi-species, multi-purpose super-team are faced with utter Armageddon as Count Dracula attempts to turn Britain into a homeland for vampires, using all his arcane resources and Marvel’s Nosferatu back-catalogue to supplement his ranks. It’s a great read for all but the added value for long-term fans – especially of those quirky Marvel UK creations – is immense as minor characters and forgotten folk literally litter every page.
Dark, shocking and completely compelling, this is the way all comics blockbusters should be handled: with wit and sensitivity to bolster the spectacle, and high concept body-count. This book collects issues #10-15 and the Annual wherein writer Paul Cornell has constructed a solid British war story utilising monsters and superheroes to superb collaborative effect, magnificently complimented by regular artist Leonard Kirk, Mike Collins Ardian Syaf, Adrian Alphona, Jay Leisten, Robin Riggs, Craig Yeung and Livesay. It is a pure backs-to-the wall excitement and the perfect end to a hugely underrated series.
Buy enough copies (and of previous collections Captain Britain and MI13: Secret Invasion and Captain Britain and MI13: Hell Comes to Birmingham) and there’s every chance of a comeback, no?
© 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Licensed by Marvel Characters B.V. All Rights Reserved.