BRITAIN PREVAILS - Captain Britain & MI13 Appreciation PART II

[Aelle3]

It was an... interesting ending. Especially given that Brian is supposed to be immune to Betsy's powers on a genetic level. And Vice Versa... ;)

Well remembered, I had forgotten about that. Perhaps 'enjoy' is too strong a word. I'll rephrase, I didn't dislike the ending as much as the rest of the series. Perhaps I was just relived it was over.

I would be interested to see what Remenders response would be if you did question his characterization. I can imagine he would just say that he was is going back to a time he like the character best.

[Willow616]

I'm really new to Twitter so I really don't have much of a clue what I'm doing but just tweeted this -

@Remender C'mon man, give Capt Britain a break...the character is a billion times more professional than he's appeared in SA.

Tried to make it jovial but..........I am really annoyed hahaha!

[Loki]

It was an... interesting ending. Especially given that Brian is supposed to be immune to Betsy's powers on a genetic level. And Vice Versa... ;)

On that point, I don't think anyone can call out any writer who ignores it. First, the immunity claim came out of nowhere during House of M, and runs counter to past appearances and common sense - it's not a twins things, since Brian and Betsy are non-identical twins, and if it was a sibling thing (which is what Brian claimed it was) then Jamie could rightly be expected to be immune to their powers and them to his (which has repeatedly demonstrated not to be true). And "sibling immunity" was treated like it's the norm, the way Brian thought of it - but the only other example we know if of Cyclops and Havok; I don't think Vulcan is included in this immunity deal, nor are Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

Plus, how could Betsy be immune to Brian's powers? Are we saying that if he tried to hit her with superhuman strength then the impact would only be delivered with normal human strength levels? Plus, if it is intended to be a genetic thing, then there's the small point that neither Brian nor Betsy is in their original body, and both have had their DNA tinkered with, and in Betsy's case, it's been blended with someone not of the Braddock family. So it makes even less sense for them to have an immunity based on being siblings, and, since Brian has been resurrected and modified again since House of M, any writer who wants to can just say that even if they were once immune, they aren't now.

[frostfalls]

Who knows how Gillen will portray him in the upcoming Manchester Gods arc if he's featured much at all - is he definitely in it?

This is from a recent interview with Gillen about JIM

If you look forward to the next arc, which I’m currently calling “the Manchester Gods” (but that might change),Loki’s working with a load of people from Otherworld. You’ve got Arthur, you’ve got Captain Britain, you’ve got the Lady of the Lake, all of these archetypal British folklore figures. It mixes it up.

so yes!

[Kn1ghtmare]

It seems that the internet has got Brian's back!

http://boards.4chan.org/co/res/36204421

[Panic]

But Remender's got his balls!

[Willow616]

It seems that the internet has got Brian's back!

http://boards.4chan.org/co/res/36204421

That. Is. Frikking. AWESOME!!!!!!

[Gryphon]

Lol. "Hailing from Blackpool, England..."

But you've got to love William Regal. He's pure stereotype ridiculous. Although I don't think he's had any superb screen time since his team-up days with 'Pirate' Paul Burchill... :)

Actually he is mainly on the webshow NXT now, where he is the general manager and commentator. And he is awesome. He is also a commentator in WWE's development terrirotry FCW where he has a feud with a new talent named Dean Ambrose. its freaking awesome. Plus they have a few more brits now. The Scotsman Drew Mcintyre and Englishman Wade Barret and Welshman Mason Ryan ( Formerly Goliath from the UK show Gladiators )

[Willow616]

Just posted this on http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ric...s/268433456048 -

Good day Mr Remender. Wasn't sure where the best place to post this was and wanted to respectfully ask a couple of questions regarding your recent characterisation of a personal favourite Marvel character. I'm a huge fan of your work to date and your writing on Uncanny X-Force and Doctor Voodoo has been some of the best superhero comics in recent years. Because of this I was delighted when it w...as announced that you would be the new writer on Secret Avengers and further excited that you would be including my favourite childhood hero - Captain Britain.

I'm a UK Marvel fan of some many, many years. The good Captain was my first exposure to comics and the flg-ship character of my long lost Marvel UK. Not just for me but for a generation of kids who are now fans of Marvel US as a result.

Over the years there have been various erosions on Brian Braddock that would never have been accepted for Steve Rogers. False memes of spousal abuse, alcoholism and imperialism have followed him for years and have been used as ammunition by the characters detractors. Some of this I can understand, given that Marvel is not domestically British and culturally there are differences. That and the fact that most US fans first exposure to Brian was in Excalibur, the early issues of which Braddock is portrayed out of type with previous continuity . However despite this and the fact that Marvel recognised a wider international audience was one of the main reasons I have stuck by them for so many eons.

You may not not read internet forums and that again is very understandable but the prospect of Captain Britain being used again after the excellent Captain Britain and MI13 did worry some. Not myself as I had read your various interviews leading up to his appearance in SA and UXF and your passion was impressive.

I do feel though that as a fan of CB and of yourself I have been severely disappointed by your treatment of my British hero. The latest issue of Secret Avengers ignoring all past character development and bordering on disrespectful to fans of the guy.

I pray that this will be swiftly rectified and this approach will lead to a greater use of my national hero, more in line with the respect afforded to other Marvel properties.

I realise that you may not wish to answer this post or may feel possibly that as a creator wo am I to critise? Yes that's true also. I just wanted to bring the issue to your attention. I would be most grateful if you could reply or offer this sad individual some consolation.

Very respectfully yours

Darren Wilson

Do you guys feel it's in any way too offensive or confrontational do you? Because thats not my intent.

[Gryphon]

Just posted this on http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ric...s/268433456048 -

Good day Mr Remender. Wasn't sure where the best place to post this was and wanted to respectfully ask a couple of questions regarding your recent characterisation of a personal favourite Marvel character. I'm a huge fan of your work to date and your writing on Uncanny X-Force and Doctor Voodoo has been some of the best superhero comics in recent years. Because of this I was delighted when it w...as announced that you would be the new writer on Secret Avengers and further excited that you would be including my favourite childhood hero - Captain Britain.

I'm a UK Marvel fan of some many, many years. The good Captain was my first exposure to comics and the flg-ship character of my long lost Marvel UK. Not just for me but for a generation of kids who are now fans of Marvel US as a result.

Over the years there have been various erosions on Brian Braddock that would never have been accepted for Steve Rogers. False memes of spousal abuse, alcoholism and imperialism have followed him for years and have been used as ammunition by the characters detractors. Some of this I can understand, given that Marvel is not domestically British and culturally there are differences. That and the fact that most US fans first exposure to Brian was in Excalibur, the early issues of which Braddock is portrayed out of type with previous continuity . However despite this and the fact that Marvel recognised a wider international audience was one of the main reasons I have stuck by them for so many eons.

You may not not read internet forums and that again is very understandable but the prospect of Captain Britain being used again after the excellent Captain Britain and MI13 did worry some. Not myself as I had read your various interviews leading up to his appearance in SA and UXF and your passion was impressive.

I do feel though that as a fan of CB and of yourself I have been severely disappointed by your treatment of my British hero. The latest issue of Secret Avengers ignoring all past character development and bordering on disrespectful to fans of the guy.

I pray that this will be swiftly rectified and this approach will lead to a greater use of my national hero, more in line with the respect afforded to other Marvel properties.

I realise that you may not wish to answer this post or may feel possibly that as a creator wo am I to critise? Yes that's true also. I just wanted to bring the issue to your attention. I would be most grateful if you could reply or offer this sad individual some consolation.

Very respectfully yours

Darren Wilson

Do you guys feel it's in any way too offensive or confrontational do you? Because thats not my intent.

Actually i felt you were very respectful.

[Kn1ghtmare]

Yeah this is very well put, and should not be construed as offensive. That being said, the only bad thing I can say is that you didn't give a link shout out to our little appreciation thread. A wasted opportunity indeed :D

[highwayguy]

I won't receive my copy of Secret Avengers #26 through the post until Monday morning. (Saturday morning if I'm very very lucky.) I'm not really looking forward to it though. It sounds like I'm bound to be irritated.

Nicely worded, Willow. Hope you get a response.

[Panic]

It's a good letter, Willow, but you'll run into the old "perfect characters are boring, flawed characters are interesting" defence for sure. I'll bet Excalibur CB is his favourite - what I read of Beast's verbal smackdown of Brian sounded suspiciously like a diatribe against Cornell's version of Brian :"I was wondering when we'd finally see classic Brian Braddock emerge from this perfect hero you've been trying to sell" - Remender, like Claremont, clearly finds Betsy the more interesting hero and likes his Brian Braddock an arrogant fool. Thing is, from what I've read of X-Force, Betsy is super-competent and barely flawed, and I've seen there are few Marvel writers who don't love Steve Rogers, who just might be the most perfect man alive. Ah well, that's how it goes. I know the guys in the Black Panther thread have similar problems with their favourite hero, and with minority heroes in general (poor Bishop - once one of the few powerful black heroes, now forever stained as a mass murder... lets hope CB never gets that treatment).

[Willow616]

Cheers all.....felt quite nervous posting that....I think it's because I actually like the guy and his work so far!

That being said, the only bad thing I can say is that you didn't give a link shout out to our little appreciation thread. A wasted opportunity indeed :D

Did think about it Kn1ghtmare but didn't want to speak for anyone else or like I was representing all CB fans because I know some people might disagree with me.

I also thought he probably doesn't read forums and the like...........and I guess I still always believe that this is Sword's baby ;-)

Anyhoo doesn't stop any of you guys adding your voice to it...........(please!)

It's a good letter, Willow, but you'll run into the old "perfect characters are boring, flawed characters are interesting" defence for sure. I'll bet Excalibur CB is his favourite - what I read of Beast's verbal smackdown of Brian sounded suspiciously like a diatribe against Cornell's version of Brian :"I was wondering when we'd finally see classic Brian Braddock emerge from this perfect hero you've been trying to sell" - Remender, like Claremont, clearly finds Betsy the more interesting hero and likes his Brian Braddock an arrogant fool. Thing is, from what I've read of X-Force, Betsy is super-competent and barely flawed, and I've seen there are few Marvel writers who don't love Steve Rogers, who just might be the most perfect man alive. Ah well, that's how it goes. I know the guys in the Black Panther thread have similar problems with their favourite hero, and with minority heroes in general (poor Bishop - once one of the few powerful black heroes, now forever stained as a mass murder... lets hope CB never gets that treatment).

Yeah I know mate....and yeah I don't want to see perfect heroes either but there's 'feet of clay' and then there's 'lets make Brian a knob'.

It was the treatment of Betsy in UXF that made me so happy to see RR take on Braddock.....yeah she's actually a better character in that than I've seen in years IMO

And yeah.......Bishop.....poor, poor Bishop.

[Gallifrey]

what I read of Beast's verbal smackdown of Brian sounded suspiciously like a diatribe against Cornell's version of Brian :"I was wondering when we'd finally see classic Brian Braddock emerge from this perfect hero you've been trying to sell"

This. He's pretty much meta - textualised his attitude to the character right there and then in that one panel: "Forget what that English guy who possibly understood Captain Britain better than any other writer in years did for the character, I'm gonna junk that entirely, because I know what CB fans want, and even if they don't, they're gonna get it anyway: Claremont Redux Brian Braddock, re - heated and rehashed, 'cos that's what I think 'classic' Brian Braddock is." He seems to be suggesting that the character we read about in CBMI:13 was a sham, a facade put up by an arrogant incompetent jackass of a man. What a bunch of mugs we were for believing it,eh?

If this scene really does indicate Remender's attitudes to previous material, then not only is it disrespectful to the character, and by implication the fans, it's insulting to Cornell in the extreme. This is a man who's written novels and television as well as comics, and as my username probably indicates my (and others in this thread I suspect) familiarity with, and appreciation of, his work goes back a lot longer than it does with Remender's, and in my opinion Marvel were bloody lucky to get him.

Remender seems to be not so much burying the Cornell version as dismembering him before our eyes and jumping up and down on the bloody remains, and if so, I've got no respect for the man or his work at all. If he'd demonstrated that he was one tenth the polymath that Cornell is, then maybe - MAYBE - he'd have some justification for jettisoning his work wholesale, and even then he'd have had to replace it with something original, rather than this reanimated, reductionist Claremont - zombie version. At this stage, I'd rather CB had languished in comics limbo for another 5 or 10 years than had this travesty foisted upon us.