Captain Britain: crooked world

As I mentioned in a previous review, in 1976 Marvel attempted to break into the UK market by creating a British character, loosely based on Captain America/Daredevil, and called Captain Britain - who perhaps undeservedly faded into comic book obscurity.  One of the reasons Cap failed to make it in the British market was a brand new sci-fi comic that took Britain by storm - that comic was "2000 AD", and not only did it showcase British talent, but it accurately reflected the mood of Britain at the time (just before the Punk era).  Strips like "Judge Dredd", "Flesh" and "Harlem Heroes" made the American strips look tired, dated and lifeless. 

One of Marvel's responses was to rethink their approach to the British market, so they decided to revisit Captain Britain once more, relaunching him in 1981 using British talent. Out went the "Daredevil" inspired red uniform and Star Scepter, and in came a new look by artist Alan Davis which took a more militaristic approach. David Thorpe was brought in on writing duties, but left just 10 issues in.  Marvel needed a new writer, so they approached a freelance writer known for his work in “2000 AD” - that writer was none other than Alan Moore, destined to be later recognized as one of the most influential graphic novel writers of our age.  "Captain Britain" would be Moore's one and only work with Marvel - no pressure then...  :).  Could it work?

The answer is an emphatic "YES"!  THIS is how Captain Britain should have been from day one.  A quintessentially British comic, full of dark pythonesque humor, pathos, magic and mystery.  Moore's take on the character makes him a darker, slightly flawed but more human hero than before, a man who has known bitter tragedy and despite his enormous power continues to do so - in short, Brian Braddock has grown up.  Alan Davis's artwork contributes a very British feel to the piece, and for some reason, reminds me of some of Terry Gilliam's work.  Sometimes he loses his way but the pace of Moore's writing is such that you never really notice.  When the story was first published the pair only had eight pages per issue to progress the story, something that both were used to from the British industry where this was the norm, rather than the exception.  The result is a story that's very condensed, but moves along quickly.

"Crooked World" is then one of Marvel's masterpieces.  Because of it, Cap went on to bigger and better things (namely "Excalibur", "Knights of Pendragon" and "The Avengers") and other British Marvel characters such as Union Jack and Psylocke got their chance.  It's historically important, it's written by a comic book legend, and it's a bloody good read.  I thoroughly recommend it.

Captain Britain Vol1. Birth Of A Legend

1976 – 11 years old.  I’d just started senior school, and it was a time when “growing up” was all the rage, as well as the Bay City Rollers, French lessons and tennis shoes.  It would not be long before my life would be taken over by the British Comic Movement, but at the time Marvel & DC were the only game in town for a young adolescent.

In the US, Marvel had decided to expand to the UK, and had recently created the Marvel UK publishing house.  As part of the remit, it was decided to create a new superhero just for the British market.  The title would be written and drawn in America, but published in the UK – an almost certain recipe for disaster but one that Marvel US was sure would work.  Sometime later, on the British newsstands appeared the “Young Lion” himself – Captain Britain!

Cap was essentially “Captain America” for the British audience.  Instead of being created by science, CB was created by magic from the hands of the mighty sorcerer Merlin and his daughter Roma.  In true Arthurian style, a young hard-on-his-luck aristocrat called Brian Braddock is given a choice – pull the sword out of the stone, or take an amulet from a second stone.  Brian takes the amulet, transforming him into the superhuman Captain Britain, ready to fight for truth, justice and the American British way!

CB really should have worked, as it had all the right ingredients, but the very nature of its execution damned it from the beginning.    Being drawn by American artists itself was not a problem – hell, even John Buscema drew CB, but being written in America it had the same “feel” as many of Marvel’s publications of the period. Cap had a few of his own good villains to start with, but eventually Marvel US incorporated more of their own characters into the title, including Nick Fury, Captain America and the Red Skull.  Add to that the “Cor Guvner strike a light” school of American pretend British that was prevalent at the time and you can guess the rest.

The thing is it’s not all bad.  The artwork is true 1970’s Marvel (which is not terrible), but the colour work is let down because of poor reproduction – not by the producers of the book, but by the UK printing process of the 1970’s that couldn’t do proper colour registration for love or money (many UK comics suffered from this, 2000 AD being one of the most significant).  Luckily, CB went black And white half way through the initial run.

This volume collects the first half of the American written run of Captain Britain, and it’s a quality book, hard backed, on good quality paper.  The RRP is £25, but if you shop around, you can find it cheaper – I got mine from eBay! 

All in all, it's OK.  It's not Shakespear, but it's OK.  That being said, Captain Britain deserved better, and he eventually got it, when a young writer called Alan Moore showed us how he should have been written – but that as they say, is another story…

By the way, what is with Stan Lee and first/last names that start with the same letter?  And Brian?  Monty Python showed us how that would turn out…  :)

 Captain Britain Vol1.  Birth Of A Legend on Amazon

Welcome!

Welcome to Grandad’s Weird Tales!

What on earth is this blog about?  Well I’ve always loved comics, from the Dandy, The Beano and Whizzer & Chips when I was a nipper to my teenagers love of Marvel, DC and 2000AD.  Whilst brining up my children, I put comics aside as I just didn’t have the time, but as my children got older, I rediscovered my love of comics through them - just as I had followed Green Lantern, so did they…

Cut to the present day.  I have a day job, but by night I’m a cartoonist, and as such, I have a new appreciation for comics, so much so that I’ve started collecting graphic novels.  It’s took me 40 years, but I think that finally I can fully appreciate the fine writing, artwork and energy that make comics a true “art form” – and I’d like to share that, not only with my children and grandchildren, but with you, true believer!

So, every so often, I’m going to write an honest review of a graphic novel / comic book collection that I’ve read.  Each one will be one I’ve paid for with my own hard earned cash – no freebies here!  Many of these will be a joy to write – others may be extremely painful, but please come with me on this journey.  If nothing else, you may find a hidden gem you’ve forgotten about, and would like to rediscover – I certainly have!

Excelsior!