Warning: SPOILERS for Excalibur #10
The X-Men have just launched the newest incarnation of the Captain Britain Corps in Marvel’s comic book universe. The dimension known as Otherworld, the mystical realm that serves as the collective subconscious of the British Isles, has been plunged into chaos. The X-Men are responsible according to the ancient principle of “as above, so below” – it was caused by the establishment of the mutant nation of Krakoa in the real world. Jamie Braddock, an Omega level mutant who can manipulate reality itself, now sits upon Otherworld’s throne.
Betsy Braddock has been caught in the middle of it all. On the one hand, she is a mutant, and as such is recognized as a Krakoan. On the other, she feels a fierce loyalty to her home country the United Kingdom. Betsy has been transformed into the new Captain Britain, and her loyalties are town. In this week’s Excalibur #10, the division in Betsy’s heart spills over because of her brother’s Machiavellian schemes. Jamie Braddock breaks reality, then rebuilds itself around his sister. The identity conflict thus becomes an outright war between Krakoa and the UK. In a shocking twist, the issue ends with Jamie and Betsy confronting one another – and Jamie kills Captain Britain, fracturing reality once again.
Captain Britain is the sworn champion of the UK and the hero of Otherworld, traditionally part of a Multidimensional force known as the Captain Britain Corps. They were wiped out in the buildup to 2015’s Secret Wars event, and now – with Betsy gone – reality chooses new heroes. The members of Excalibur have all stood alongside Betsy Braddock’s Captain Britain in defense of Otherworld, and now they too are given versions of the Amulet of Right, thus transformed into Captains Britain. That means the new members of the Captain Britain Corps are Gambit, Jubilee, Rictor, and Rogue.
Tini Howard and Marcus To’s Excalibur is one of the most delightful books in the current X-Men relaunch. Howard’s script is exploring questions of cultural identity, a live political issue in the UK. It’s striking that these new Captains Britain are all American, reflecting the UK’s fear of losing its own culture, a concern that arguably led to Brexit. The new Captain Britain costume designs are fun, with Rogue’s reminiscent of a classic member of the Captain Britain Corps named Lionheart. Jubilee’s is the most amusing, complete with the Union Jack – the flag of the United Kingdom – emblazoned on her glasses.
It will be interesting to see whether this development sticks. In Excalibur #10, Jamie Braddock suggests this version of Excalibur in a pocket dimension he created for fun, and at least one other version of his sister is currently active in Otherworld, waging war against unseen forces. It’s thus entirely possible these Excalibur members are just Jamie’s creations, puppets playing his games, and the real versions are otherwise engaged. Given the Multidimensional nature of the Captain Britain Corps, these characters could potentially live on even if they aren’t the real X-Men.
