X-Men: Wedding Special #1 Spoilers

Spoilers: Betsy and Rachel wake up at Braddock Manor on the day of Mystique and Destiny's wedding. They teleport to Earth-146 and meet up with the rest of the Captain Britain Corps to face predatory alien forces. Elspeth informs them that the Avengers are handling the enemies, but she has detected a new threat: the Technet. A battle ensues between the Corps and the Technet, until Betsy gets fed up and strikes Gatecrasher with her psychic sword, discovering that Saturnyne hired the group. Betsy and Rachel head to Avalon, where they confront Saturnyne, who is living in a modest house in the woods. Betsy has had enough of Saturnyne’s games and, along with Rachel, reads her mind. Apparently, Saturnyne was upset about not being invited to the wedding and planned to steal Betsy’s invitation. Betsy tells Saturnyne not to show up at the wedding or she will expose her disgraceful behavior to everyone. Back on Earth-616, Betsy and Rachel get ready at Braddock Manor and share a kiss while Betsy reflects on whether this kind of celebration will ever happen for her.

X-Men: Wedding Special #1 Preview

X-Men: Wedding Special #1

Writer: Various

Art by: Various

In Stores: May 29, 2024

The Story:

A Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers adventure by the writer who brought them together—Excalibur scribe Tini Howard! Joined by rising star Phillip Sevy, Howard pits the hot new couple against the Omniversal Majestrix, Opal Luna Saturnyne! Just about everyone in the Marvel Universe is invited to the vow renewal… except for Saturnyne. And she’s not happy. But why is she taking it out on Betsy and Rachel?

'X-Men: The Wedding Special' #1 Reveals Secrets Behind Mystique & Destiny's Love Story

Marvel.com: Marvel’s merry mutants take center stage in this year’s Marvel’s Voices: Pride one-shot! Titled X-Men: The Wedding Special #1, this annual anthology celebrates Pride Month with stories crafted by incredible LGBTQIA+ talent and hits stands on May 29. Join the X-Men as they come together to honor one of the most beloved and longest-lasting gay couples in comic book history—Mystique and Destiny!

Other tales feature: A Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers adventure by the writer who brought them together—Excalibur scribe Tini Howard! Joined by rising star Phillip Sevy, Howard pits the hot new couple against the Omniversal Majestrix, Opal Luna Saturnyne! Just about everyone in the Marvel Universe is invited to the vow renewal… except for Saturnyne. And she’s not happy. But why is she taking it out on Betsy and Rachel?

June 2023 Sales Ranking: Tini Howard Goes Out With a Whimper

"Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #5" landed at #136 in the June sales ranking, marking the end of Tini Howard's long reign as the lead writer for Betsy Braddock, and the sole steward of the character since October 2019. The latest release failed to make much impact among the general audience and only garnered attention among Betsy Braddock fans. This comes as no surprise, given that the character's stagnation under Howard's pen had been showing signs of weariness since the second year of Excalibur. While the rest of the X-line underwent numerous twists, events, and storylines, Betsy Braddock remained stuck in the same narrative since Excalibur #1. This undoubtedly alienated readers from both the character and Howard's comics. It's unfortunate that Howard, her associates, and her most devoted defenders on Twitter resorted to gaslighting, dismissing any critique of her work and the characterization of Betsy Braddock as trolling, even when the criticisms were valid and well-articulated. Let's hope for better years ahead for Betsy Braddock. Long may she reign.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #5 Art

 

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #5 Preview

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #5
Writer: Tini Howard
Art by: Vasco Georgiev
Cover by: Erica D'urso

The Story: EARTH’S MOST FURIOUS HEROES UNITE! And the villains alike! Morgan Le Fay has saddled up with her old lover, none other than Doctor Doom! And that can’t mean good things for the old country. But Betsy Braddock has a plan up her sleeve, and a multiverse of allies even Morgan can’t magic-wand away. The fight for Britain, for Betsy, for Captains everywhere comes to a head!

In Stores: June 21, 2023

May 2023 Sales Ranking: Avengers Can't Save "Captain Britain"

"Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #4" landed at #198 in the sales ranking for May, barely holding on to the Top 200. According to Senior Editor Jordan D. White's remarks, the lackluster sales of Captain Britain came as a surprise, which is quite perplexing considering the previous failure of Knights of X. It became clear that placing another bet on a third relaunch, with Tini Howard once again as the writer, turned out to be a misfire that will have serious consequences for Betsy Braddock in the long term.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #4 Spoilers

Spoilers: Betsy approaches Iron Man in New Jersey and enlists his help to attract the Fury with the Avengers. She believes that being in the company of the Avengers will improve her public image. At Braddock Manor, Rachel meditates and seeks the sacred timeline. Betsy returns to Braddock Manor, where the rest of the family is waiting to attend a charity ball sponsored by the Bradocks. The family makes a grand entrance on the red carpet, surrounded by photographers and journalists. Betsy announces that Rachel is her girlfriend and signs autographs for fans. Betsy and Rachel discreetly leave the event to meet up with the Avengers.

In the countryside, away from the public eye, Captain America (Sam), Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, Vision, Thor, and Black Panther join forces with Betsy to lure in the Fury with an illusion of Brian and defeat him once and for all. Betsy expresses her gratitude for the Avengers' help and asks Jamie to imprison Fury in a secure pocket dimension.

After the Avengers depart, Jamie teleports Morgan's Castle to British lands and claims he did it as a favor, apologizing for allowing her to be experimented on during his time as king. Morgan and Dr. Doom emerge from the castle, and Victor warns that any attempt to attack Morgan will be seen as an act of war against Latveria itself. Doom justifies it by stating that for the sake of the sorcery of the world, Morgan needs to stand on British soil.

Betsy becomes furious with Jamie, and everyone retreats back to Braddock Manor. The family regroups and contemplates new tactics to confront Morgan. After dismissing a direct confrontation, Betsy thinks it might be smarter to act from within: she wants Morgan to cooperate with Britain and depend on her, but they have to make her believe it's her own idea. Betsy enlists the help of S.T.R.I.K.E., with Wisdom, Lennox, and Alison joining them. Betsy will become a spy once again. Later, Brian decides to visit the pocket dimension and face the Fury alone.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #4 Preview

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #4

Writer: Tini Howard

Art by: Vasco Georgiev

Cover by: Erica D'urso

The Story: Betsy Braddock thought she had enough fury to deal with as Morgan Le Fay brings the Forgemaster Federal and his armies to the UK. But when Britain remains unbowed, Morgan reaches for the big gun, in the form of Doom! Will Morgan’s ally of the past help her build the Avalon of her demented dreams? Or does Doctor Doom have a plan of his own up his iron sleeves?

In Stores: May 31, 2023

April 2023 Sales Ranking: "Captain Britain" Disappoints

"Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3" landed at #150 in the sales ranking for April. At this point, there's not much else to say - the comic not only failed to attract new readers, but also lost readers from "Knights of X". What should have served as a jumping-off point ended up backfiring, further proving the lack of interest in the direction taken by Tini Howard. Clearly, the comic book was not extended for a second arc as Howard had hoped. Now, we'll keep an eye out to see what the future holds for Betsy Braddock.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 Spoilers

Spoilers: At Braddock Manor, Betsy and Rachel decide to babysit Maggie while Brian and Meggan go out to see a musical at the theater. Rachel exhausts herself trying to track down Morgan Le Fay, and Betsy turns to the Captain Britain Corps, but neither of them knows where Morgan is.

Brian and Meggan are attacked by a Fury who proclaims itself Captain Britain, and its mission is clear: apprehend Brian Braddock. While Brian fights the Fury, Meggan protects the civilians. Betsy sneaks up and plants a psychic illusion on the Fury, making it believe it defeated Brian. Betsy thanks Brian and Meggan for their help but decides she needs to seek different kind of assistance. Betsy carries injured civilians to a pub, where she meets Pete Wisdom and Faiza Hussein, who heals the wounded. Rachel meets up with Betsy, who asks her not to interrupt her. Betsy apologizes for snapping and wonders if she made a mistake cutting ties with Saturnyne, as she would know what to do. Rachel has an immature outburst of jealousy. Betsy gets tired of the argument, asks Pete and S.T.R.I.K.E. to redouble their efforts and leaves.

At the Akkaba Coven HQ, Morgan Le Fay scolds both Reuben and the Fury for their failure. Morgan explains she wants the power of the Starlight Citadel embedded in Betsy's sword. She doesn't care about the British people, she just wants the magic of the land. This scares Reuben.

At night, a gorgeous Betsy dresses up in a stunning dress and makes peace with Rachel. She explains she's going to seek information from an ally. At the same time, Morgan Le Fay seeks the help of another old accomplice. Betsy meets with Tony Stark and asks for his and the Avengers' help, while Morgan Le Fay recruits the help of Dr. Doom.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 Preview

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3

Writer: Tini Howard

Art by: Vasco Giorgiev

Cover by: Erica D'Urso

The Story: THE FORGEMASTER FEDERAL IS THE CAPTAIN BRITAIN WE DESERVE! He’s here to right wrongs, defend the innocent and—oh wait, Morgan Le Fay put him in power? So much for the campaign slogans. Betsy Braddock is down for the count, Rachel Summers is iced out and the most powerful witch in history is about to take the entire kingdom for herself. Britain needs true allies—but they may have to come from foreign lands…

In Stores: April 26, 2023

"Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain" Seemingly Cancelled; Fall of X Launches in August

The solicitations for July have been released and, unsurprisingly, "Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain" is missing. This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone at this point, given the abysmal sales and lack of reader interest. This direction and particular writer had already failed in the second relaunch, so obviously a third relaunch of the same story would have the same embarassing outcome.

Now, "Fall of X" is an upcoming relaunch of the X-Men line in August 2023. As far as we know, Betsy is not part of the roster of any of the new books. We'll keep an eye out for the next announcements and hope that she makes some appearance until we have more concrete news.

X-Men: Following the Hellfire Gala, the title will see a cast shakeup with new additions such as the winner of this year’s X-Men fan vote and Shadowkat.

Iceman: As the X-Men recover from a brutal defeat, one member will strike out on their own as Earth’s new protector!

Children of the Vault: Former enemies become brother-in-arms as Cable and Bishop team-up to fight this crucial war against the Children of the Vault all on their own!

Immortal X-Men: Witness the X-Men’s founder at his lowest. Xavier had a dream. Now he has nothing. He fell. He fell furthest.

 

X-Men Red: As the Brotherhood reels from the cataclysmic events of the Hellfire Gala, Genesis takes advantage of the chaos — and declares war!

Alpha Flight: In the ensuing chaos, a beloved Marvel Super Hero team rises once more! Alpha Flight will reassemble to navigate the dark times that have befallen mutantkind.

Dark X-Men: As the X-Men struggle to pull themselves together after their shattering defeat, Madelyne Pryor takes charge with her own twisted team in Dark X-Men!

Uncanny Avengers: Innocent people and world leaders are dead after simultaneous attacks on the U.S. and Krakoan governments, and that means one thing: it's time for a new squad of Avengers.

X-Force: New team leader Colossus is on the frontlines with the squad…but where he leads them, you will never expect!

Realm of X: This new age won’t be limited to Earth, as a small band of mutantkind’s fiercest warriors are sent on a mystical mission across the Ten Realms in Realm of X!

Wolverine: The dire circumstances of Fall of X send Logan on the run and into a collison course with Ghost Rider!

Uncanny Spider-Man: As the X-Men are crushed under the weight of this new age, one among them will "BAMF" his way into bright Super Hero stardom! Kurt Wagner is the Uncanny Spider-Man!

March 2023 Sales Ranking: "Captain Britain" Crashes and Burns (Update)

Captain Britain #2 continued its free fall as it plummeted from a #87 debut to the number #184 spot. While Captain Britain #2 was released on March 29, a number 184 ranking is so awful that even if it was released earlier in March its sales ranking still would have been outside of the Top 100. Meanwhile, Captain Britain #1 sold a few more copies to secure a #178 position in the ranking.

Comic Book Revolution: Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #2 dropped like a shot duck falling from the number 87 spot all the way down to the number 184 spot. Now, given the terrible debut number I did expect this title to drop out of the Top 100 with the second issue. However, I did not expect to see this title almost drop out of the Top 200 altogether with just the second issue. Now Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #2 did ship in the last week of March 2023. However, by barely making the Top 200 there was no way this issue was going to be in the Top 100 no matter when it shipped in March.

Again, I expected Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain to crash and burn in spectacular fashion. This is a mantle swap character that has failed to catch on with any of Marvel Comics’ readers. It is also a Tini Howard-written comic and she has never had any sales success on anything she has done. It is surprising how Howard continues to get work from Marvel and DC. It is definitely a case of failing upward.

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, titles outside of the Top 100 are usually selling under the 18,000 unit sales mark. Tini Howard has set a new record with an absolute mind-shattering four dead titles walking in March 2023! Those titles included Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain, Punchline: The Gotham Game, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn. I am completely flabbergasted. I never thought I would see this many dead titles walking by a single writer in one month!

A Word & Teaser from Tini Howard

Tini Howard: I think we got into and out of Betsy Braddock: Captain Britian #2 pretty cleverly. Recommending, of course, if you haven’t read Jamie McKelvie and Marika Cresta’s Captain Carter miniseries, let this be what convinces you. That series forged such a fun connection between Peggy and Betsy, I couldn’t help myself but to go back to it. It’s just not Captain Britain without a visit to an alternate self. And they can’t all be as capable and sexy as Brittannica Rex and QE III - some of them need saving. 

For the fans, a little teaser from #3.

Note: Needless to say, Lizzie Braddock, as written by Jamie McKelvie, is capable and the one who does the saving. Unfortunately, not all authors can write their titular characters this well. ;)

Betsy Braddock: Captain Carter #2 Spoilers

Spoilers: During the battle, Betsy and Rachel notice that the Furies are starting to retreat, following Morgan Le Fey's lead. Betsy deduces that her next step is to recruit a new Captain Britain. Rachel then narrows it down to a particular candidate: Lizzie Braddock from Earth-76.

On Earth-76, Morgan approaches Lizzie and offers her the chance to become Captain Britain. Lizzie is in disbelief when she realizes that the stories her brother Brian told her about Morgan, Merlyn, and King Arthur were real. Betsy and Rachel arrive in time to stop Morgan, who transforms into three (virgin warrior, beautiful sorceress, and wise witch) to fight them. Lizzie joins the fight and wounds Morgan by moving iron kitchenware against the sorceress, which seems to hurt her. Enraged, Morgan attacks Lizzie and puts her into a coma. Captain Carter arrives and rescues Lizzie, while Morgan retreats and flees.

Back at Coven Akkaba's HQ on Earth-616, Morgan Le Fey returns and vents to Reuben about Lizzie's refusal to become Captain Britain (which makes no sense since Lizzie is a mutant, and Morgan hates Betsy precisely because she is a mutant). Morgan asks for more Micromax blood for her ritual, while Pete Wisdom and Alison Double secretly spy on them.

At S.T.R.I.K.E.'s medical facility, Betsy and Captain Carter keep vigil over Lizzie's bedside. Betsy explains to her about the Otherworld, magic, and alternate realities. While Captain Carter sleeps next to Lizzie's bed, Morgan invades her dreams and deceives her, offering her the power to become Captain Britain. Captain Carter is possessed by Morgan and becomes Captain Britain, engaging Betsy in an intense physical fight. Betsy decides to use her psychic knife to exorcise Morgan from Carter's mind, which seems to work. Captain Carter regains her senses, and while she recovers, Betsy deduces that Morgan must have another plan in mind. Morgan Le Fey reunites with the Furies wearing Captain Britain costumes and welcomes her new Furious Captain Britain Corps.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britian #2 Preview

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britian #2

Writer: Tini Howard

Art by: Vasco Georgiev

Cover by: Ercia D'Urso

The Story: TWO CAPTAINS – ONE COUNTRY – AND ONE HELL OF A FIGHT! Britain has a new champion – but don’t be mistaken, she’s been here for years. Morgan Le Fay is back for vengeance, and Captain Britain is first on her list! But where one captain fails, another may suffice… and Peggy Carter’s got a right hook that would inspire the devil herself. Magical machinations and feral fisticuffs abound in Tini Howard and Vasco Georgiev’s continuing epic!

In Stores: March 23, 2023

February 2023 Sales Ranking: "Captain Britain" is a Colossal Flop

ComicBookRevolution: Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #1 had a horrendous debut failing to even make the Top 75 and coming in at the number 87 spot. Absolutely nobody should be surprised by this fact. Tini Howard has not had any sales success and her Excalibur title crashed and burned in the sales rankings in a quick fashion. Howard’s mantle-swapped version of Betsy Braddock has failed to generate any fan interest. I did not think that rolling out a new comic with a #1 on the cover was going to change anything at all. It is a safe bet that Betsy Braddock Captain Britain will drop out of the Top 100 with just its second issue. At this point, I think it is obvious that this dog won’t hunt.

'Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain' Writer Tini Howard Brings the Braddocks Home

Marvel.com: Tini Howard teases what Betsy Braddock, her brother Brian, and her girlfriend Rachel are up against in 'Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain.'

MARVEL.COM: BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN #1 picks up from your KNIGHTS OF X run. What would you tell a new reader to catch them up for the new series' launch?

TINI HOWARD: This one's made for our new friends! If you're new to Captain Britain, or just a Captain Britain fan who hasn't kept up with the Krakoan X-Men era, come on in. Folks who enjoyed KNIGHTS OF X will be excited to see the aftereffects of the war in Otherworld, Captain Britain's emancipation from the Roma/Saturnyne/Merlyn triangle, and how they come into play here. You don't need that intel to enjoy this read, but it's moving under the surface in ways that we'll see affect the storyline.

MARVEL.COM: Which BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN character did you fall in love with right away, and which one really grew on you as you started working on the series?

TINI HOWARD: I always love writing the Braddocks and their extended family of friends and loved ones. Part of the joy of this book is getting to see them at home, see them together again. I wouldn't say they ever had to grow on me, but the members of S.T.R.I.K.E. have been really fun to write. For the first time, I'm getting space to play with their personalities and different approaches a bit, and that's been a lot of fun.

MARVEL.COM: The Braddocks are all living under one roof again. How has their dynamic changed since the last time they were together like this?

TINI HOWARD: Oh it's great—Rachel and Brian used to live together in the lighthouse during the Excalibur days, so her being back as his twin sister's girlfriend is just... really funny to me. Rachel always finds herself hanging out with Captain Britain.

All the siblings are living together, there's a computer in the basement again...it's a bit like old times. There's a great shot in the first issue Vasco drew that's just such Full House energy; I love it.

MARVEL.COM: Betsy and Rachel are official—and back in the Marvel Universe proper! How does the jump back to Earth-616 impact their relationship?

TINI HOWARD: They live together in England now! I don't know if they decided to do that officially. I think it was just a sleepover that never ended. Girls who like other girls...we do that sometimes. And now, Rachel, as Askani, has a powerful place in Captain Britain's life that allows her to work without being manipulated by another magical investor, as it were. It's love that lets the team-up happen. Good stuff.

MARVEL.COM: Reuben Brousseau is still up to no good, and he's got a powerful new ally with him this time. Just how worried should we be for the Captain Britain Corps?

TINI HOWARD: Reuben is just one of the powerbrokers looking to bring Betsy down, and we'll learn more about who is involved and why as the series continues and things escalate drastically. By issue #4, things are about as serious as they can get, so I'm excited for us to get there together.

MARVEL.COM: Tell me about working with Vasco Georgiev. What did he bring to the book that delighted and/or surprised you?

TINI HOWARD: It's my first time working with Vasco, and I love it. My time on Captain Britain has been blessed with just one incredible artist after another. Betsy fans are kind of spoiled by incredible artists these days, so it was a tall order, and Vasco delivers. From the way he captures Braddock Manor to the battle scenes to the embraces, Vasco brings such motion and intensity. I love working with him.

MARVEL.COM: We meet a few different Captain Britains in this issue. Aside from the original, of course, which one was your favorite and why?

TINI HOWARD: She doesn't show up in this issue specifically, but I really love the Violet Swan. She's Captain Britain but she's also a mean psychic bird. I guess Betsy's a "mean psychic bird" herself, so it works.

MARVEL.COM: What are you most excited for readers to see in BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN #1?

TINI HOWARD: Oh, for sure the rise of Captain Britain's role in the Marvel Multiverse, and also some of Betsy and Rachel's really good outfits and kisses.

MARVEL.COM: The Captain Britain mantle has a long, complex history (and maybe a little baggage). What do you hope BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN adds to that legacy?

TINI HOWARD: Oh, more baggage, certainly—emotionally and literally. She just moved back home; she needs all her outfits.

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 Spoilers

Spoilers: Betsy Braddock is interviewed on a sensationalist TV show where she is met with criticism for being a female and mutant Captain Britain, with Micromax expressing an opposing viewpoint. The interview is interrupted when Betsy receives a psychic call for help from a fellow Captain Britain. Betsy and Rachel teleport to the world of Britannic Rex where they help contain the threat of a Fury.

Back at Braddock Manor, Brian conducts studies in his laboratory and concludes that the Fury is now more similar to the original Fury he faced years ago. Betsy and Rachel thank him for his help. Meanwhile, Jamie Braddock teleports Braddock Manor from Maldon, Essex to Braddock Isle, where they will be safer. Meggan and Maggie join them. Betsy shares a tender moment with Rachel and decides it's time to confront the Federal Forgemaster in Infuri the Everforge.

At the Coven Akkaba headquarters, it is revealed that Micromax is being used by Morgan Le Fay and ends up being captured by her. Reuben Brousseau steps up to serve Morgan once again, as she declares that to have her revenge and control Britain she needs her own Captain Britain.

Simultaneously, Betsy and Rachel head to Infuri the Everforge. Betsy demands to know why the Furies are targeting her Corpsmen, but the Federal Forgemaster mocks her and refuses to answer her questions. When Rachel investigates their headquarters and finds a flag of the United Kingdom raised, the Furies rebel and Betsy decides it's time to leave.

Later, Pete Wisdom visits Braddock Manor, and Betsy charges him with finding out who is giving orders for the Furies to start trouble with her Corpsmen. Betsy suspects that the Coven Akkaba is behind the recent attacks. Subsequently, Betsy shares the bed with Rachel and shares her insecurities. 

The next day, Pete Wisdom and the four S.T.R.I.K.E. agents visit Faiza Hussain as they suspect she may be a target of the recent attacks since they believe she is not someone the conservative bigots would like to represent Britain either. Pete Wisdom promises to protect her.

At the Coven Akkaba headquarters, Morgan uses Micromax's blood to pinpoint a member of the Corps. Betsy wakes up in the middle of the night with the feeling that one of her Corpsmen is in danger. Betsy and Rachel teleport to Earth-5411 where a Fury attacks the local Captain Britain. The Fury tries to convince Captain Britain-5411 to betray Betsy Braddock, but when the entire Corps responds to Betsy's call, Morgan realizes it will be a futile attempt to pit one against the other. Morgan appears before Betsy and reveals that with her gone, she will give the people a Captain Britain they adore. To be continued.