Captain Britain Hits The Worlds Media
Written by Ian Cullen on June 5, 2008 – 6:49 pm -
By Ian M. Cullen
It’s been a pretty big few weeks for the re-launch of Marvel Comics Captain Britain. Last week Paul Cornell revealed on his blog that the first issue had sold out so fast that the 2nd variant editions had to be brought to the fore.
Just one week later and the UK’s Premier Comic book hero is still drawing a crowd. Only this time the comic has reached the attention of the world’s media, and has also helped the profile of British PM Gordon Brown in the process by including him in the second edition of the comic series.
According to UK Comic Book Resource site downthetubes.net Gordon Browns appearance in the new issue of the comic has drawn the attention of most the UK’s mainstream newspapers. Papers such as The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Daily Mail have all ran varying stories about Gordon Browns appearance in the hit UK Comic which is penned by popular writer Paul Cornell who is known to genre fans for his 3 contributions to the new Doctor Who series.
The Mirror quoted Cornell who said, “I’m pleased we’ve given [Brown] a PR boost on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world” and “I feel quite sorry for him, so I’m glad I’ve contributed a bit.”
“He’s marshalling the troops, showing leadership and acting heroically,” he said of the alien-busting Brown. “I feel quite sorry for him, so I’m glad I’ve contributed a bit.”
This isn’t the first time that a major political figure or for that matter celebrity has appeared within the Marvel Universe of Comics. During one of the prior incarnations of Captain Britain we encountered a Skrull who bore an uncanny resemblance to legendary pop artist and former Beatle John Lennon. US Presidents have also made regular appearances in various Marvel Comics through the years, even disgraced ones such as Richard Nixon. Issue 174 of ‘The Incredible Hulk’ featured Henry Kissinger within the storyline for that issue.
Gordon Brown is not the first British Prime minister to have made an appearance in Marvel comics either. Back in the 1970′s Labour PM Jim Callaghan featured in Marvel UK’s Captain Britain Weekly as did the Queen and subsequent British Prime ministers and prominent politicians.
However such appearances are not always necessarily a good omen. It’s worth noting that James Callaghan’s time in office had him facing off against some very angry trade unionists and Margaret Thatcher who would do even more to tick off our trade unions would eventually beat him out of Office. Appearing in Marvel Comics didn’t save Nixon’s reputation either.
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Tags: Captain Britain, Gordon Brown, Marvel UK
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