Betsy Braddock, Chapter II – Beginnings

Before the X: In this second chapter, we delve into Betsy Braddock’s early days as the sister of Captain Britain. Chris Claremont introduced Betsy in Captain Britain #8 (1976) with his favorite plot device: mind control. Betsy’s debut arc was strong, and her role was decent. However, as Claremont left the book and Gary Friedrich took over, Betsy’s prominence dwindled, relegating her to a generic supporting character. Initially a charter pilot, Betsy later transitioned into a fashion model in Super Spider-Man and Captain Britain #243 (1977) by Jim Lawrence. During this run, she discovered Brian’s identity as Captain Britain and encountered Captain America. Chronologically, the flashback in Uncanny X-Force #3 (2013) aligns with the end of this period, depicting Betsy’s struggles with her fashion career and the full development of telepathy. Notably, the flashback states Betsy was 16 years old at the time, contradicting her established backstory. She should have been in her early twenties (20-22), considering her pilot license and college attendance. The next chapter will cover Betsy’s S.T.R.I.K.E. and supermodel days. Stay tuned for the continuation of Betsy Braddock’s journey.

Chapter I / Chapter II / Chapter III / Chapter IV / Chapter V

CHAPTER II - Beginnings

On a snowy day in London, Betsy reached out to Brian at Thames University, where he was studying, to deliver the distressing news of Jamie’s severe accident. Taking charge, Betsy drove Jamie’s Mercedes and transported Brian to the airport. With her Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister plane prepared, Betsy piloted Brian from London to Braddock Manor in Maldon, Essex. Despite their closeness, the twins occasionally exhibited an air of unfamiliarity. During the flight, Betsy began experiencing visions of monsters, triggering a plane crash that rendered her unconscious. Brian, transforming into Captain Britain, heroically rescued his sister. Dr. Synne emerged, disclosing that his powers had induced these haunting illusions. [Captain Britain v1 #8]

As assistance from Braddock Manor approached, Dr. Synne, cornered, had no choice but to retreat. Jamie and Mick, the groundskeeper, transported both Betsy and Brian to the safety of the Manor. Upon their reunion, Synne once again seized control of Betsy’s mind, distorting her perception to see her brothers as monstrous beings. In response, Betsy, influenced by the illusions, seized a decorative axe and launched an attack. Brian, compelled to become Captain Britain once more, used a nerve pinch to overpower his sister, incapacitating her for the moment. [Captain Britain v1 #9, #10]

The brothers transported Betsy to Morder Research Centre for treatment, oblivious to the fact that the staff, under the leadership of Dr. Ramsey, answered to Dr. Synne. The sinister plan was to manipulate Betsy’s mind and turn her against her own siblings. Hours later, Jamie maintained a vigil by Betsy’s bedside when she abruptly emerged from her induced coma. The reason behind her awakening was the diversion of energy, originally intended for inducing the coma, to strengthen Dr. Synne, who was engaged in a simultaneous battle with Captain Britain. [Captain Britain v1 #10, #12]

Days later, news reached the Red Skull about Mastermind, the advanced computer crafted by Sir James Braddock. The Red Skull aimed to seize control of this technological marvel, leading to Betsy and Jamie being taken hostage in anticipation of Brian’s potential challenge. Bound at Morder Research Centre, the siblings pleaded with Brian to prevent the guards from executing them. Captain Britain and his newfound ally, Captain America, successfully located and liberated the captive siblings. This marked the day when Betsy discovered that her brother, Brian, was, in fact, Captain Britain. Secretly, she couldn’t shake the lingering question of why Brian was chosen over her. [Captain Britain v1 #15, #18, #20, #21 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #256]

As Braddock Manor fell victim to a bombing orchestrated by Tod Radcliffe, deputy director of S.T.R.I.K.E. and a traitor working for the Red Skull, Betsy sought refuge in Jamie’s upscale flat in Chelsea, London. From there, she and Jamie anxiously observed the news coverage of the battle between Captain Britain and Lord Hawk in Piccadilly Circus, fearing for Brian’s safety. Later that night, as Merlyn and Roma transported Brian to Otherworld to test his courage, Betsy awoke from a nightmare, sensing her brother was in grave danger. It marked the initial emergence of what seemed like psychic powers for Betsy, potentially triggered by Dr. Synne’s earlier mind control. In the days that followed, Betsy and Jamie learned from newspapers that Captain Britain had seemingly attempted to attack Queen Elizabeth II during her Jubilee celebration in Portsmouth. Brian clarified that he was under hypnosis by the Manipulator, a deposed African dictator. [Captain Britain v1 #31, #34, #39]

Embarking on a new chapter, Betsy departed from the charter business and ventured into modeling. Brian frequently visited her at the studio during lunch breaks. It was during one of these visits that Brian shared details about the serial killer Slaymaster, known for murdering collectors and stealing valuable items from their collections. Betsy was taken aback when the photographer revealed that rockstar Luke Lane, one of the victims, collected pretty girls. Betsy, considering him too cool and unconventional to collect anything, found the revelation surprising. She also attended Brian’s graduation at Thames University, possibly having completed her own college education around the same time. When Brian’s plane from New York to London crashed, he spent two years as a hermit on the Cornish coast without his memories, and he was presumed dead. For Betsy, the uncertainty surrounding Brian’s fate was unsettling. During this period, she began experiencing peculiar flashes of psychic power, akin to glimpses into the future. [Super Spider-Man and Captain Britain #243 / Captain Britain v2 #1 / Daredevils v1 #3 / Hulk Comic UK v1 #1, #3]

As Betsy's modeling career soared, she made a bold decision to dye her blond hair purple, a choice that set her apart in the fashion crowd. In her early 20s, she ventured to New York, embracing the realization of her dreams and experiencing life away from home for the first time. Her modest apartment, though small, radiated coziness and reflected her unique personality. With a cat as her companion, Betsy adorned her room with posters featuring Captain Britain and the English alternative rock band Suede. However, a turning point arrived when Betsy’s recurring ‘migraines’ evolved into a full-fledged telepathic ability. Overwhelmed by the unfiltered thoughts of 16.3 million people, she found herself incapacitated in her apartment for an entire month. Alone, financially strained, and burdened by her newfound gift, Betsy grappled with the challenges of her burgeoning telepathy. [Uncanny X-Force v2 #3]

Phoenix Resurrection #1 Colored Preview

Pencils by Leinil Francis Yu. Notice Fantomex was replaced by Forge in the final version.

X-Solicits for February 2018

	Astonishing X-Men #8 Charles Soule (W) • Paulo Siqueira (A) Cover by: Mike Deodato Jr. A Man Called X Part 2 • One of the most terrifying adversaries the X-Men have ever faced has returned. • Charles Xavier may have made the greatest mistake of his life. • Still reeling from their narrow escape from the Shadow King and the loss of a crucial ally, how will the mutant heroes face an enemy with the power to remake the world?
	X-Men Red #1 Tom Taylor (W) • Mahmud Asrar (A) Cover by: Travis Charest Variant Cover by: Mahmud Asrar Variant Cover by: Rob Liefeld Variant Cover by: Skottie Young Remastered Variant Cover by: Phil Jimenez B&W Remastered Variant Cover by: Phil Jimenez Blank Variant Cover Also Available Marvel Legacy Headshot Variant Cover by: Travis Charest Trading Card Variant Cover by: John Tyler Christopher The Hate Machine Part 1 The First Sensational Arc of An All-New Team Of X-Men Starts Here! Jean Grey is back! Returned to a world she doesn’t recognize, the First Lady of the X-Men gathers an unlikely team — Nightcrawler, Namor And Laura Kinney (a.k.a. All-New Wolverine) — to face an evil that threatens to tear down Xavier's  dream by any means necessary!
	X-Men Gold #21 Marc Guggenheim (W) • Diego Bernard (A) Cover by: Mike Deodato Jr. Hulk Variant Cover by: TBA Variant Cover by: Dan Mora Brotherhood Part 1 • The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is back and deadlier than ever! • What is happening to Rachel Summers? • Plus: The Gold team bids farewell to one of their own. Who will it be?
	X-Men Gold #22 Marc Guggenheim (W) • Diego Bernard (A) Cover by: Dan Mora Brotherhood Part 2 • The X-Men face their deadliest foes...or do they? • The new… Prestige? • And... the Gold team faces its most devastating loss.
	X-Men Blue #21 Cullen Bunn (W) • Jacopo Camagni (A) Cover by: Arthur Adams Poison X Variant Cover by: Stephanie Hans Trading Card Variant Cover by: John Tyler Christopher Poison X Part 2 • Symbiote Space Pirates! • The X-Men and Venom have been asking the wrong questions in the wrong seedy spaceport cantina! • Vicious Space Pirates are bad enough...but they’re even worse when they’re using Alien Symbiotes as weapons!
	X-Men Blue #22 Cullen Bunn (W) • Jacopo Camagni (A) Cover by: Arthur Adams Poison X Variant by: David Nakayama Poison X Part 4 • The X-Men have given themselves a power boost – in the form Of Alien Symbiotes! • But their new powers have made them the targets of the symbiote-consuming Poisons!

Cullen Bunn Talks Psylocke and Magneto

Question: Now that the cat is out of the bag, will we see Magneto and Psylocke meeting again? What happened was too big for both of them to just appear together randomly in some book in the future without ever addressing it.

Cullen Bunn: I certainly hope we see a big confrontation between them again.

Question: Is Magneto being alive going to play a part jn the story anytime soon? Will we have a chance to see Psylocke's reaction since she was the one who "killed" him?

Bunn: I think the world at large views Magneto as a natural disaster waiting to strike. So, yeah, that’ll play a part in the series for sure.

Betsy Braddock, Chapter I – Childhood and Early Years

Before the X: We’re excited to introduce a new feature that explores Betsy Braddock’s story before she joined the X-Men. These works, originally published by Marvel UK, might not be as familiar to all. This detailed biography of Betsy Braddock is grounded in the actual facts depicted in canon. The initial chapter delves into Betsy’s childhood and early years, presented in chronological order. We’ve compiled every available piece of information, including actual events, tales told by other characters, memories, flashbacks, and even insights gained from The Hand’s brainwashing, offering a glimpse into Betsy’s upbringing. Additionally, we consulted articles on Education in England and Pilot Licensing to provide context, shedding light on the chronology and connecting the dots between each event. With a total of five chapters released weekly, the upcoming one will explore Betsy’s origins as the sister of Captain Britain. We hope you enjoy the journey.

Chapter I / Chapter II / Chapter III / Chapter IV / Chapter V

CHAPTER I - Childhood and Early Years

Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Braddock entered the world in the early hours of April 23 in England, sharing a birthday with her twin brother, Brian, although Betsy held the title of being a few seconds older. Born to Sir James Braddock and Lady Elizabeth Hartwood, she was the younger sister of James ‘Jamie’ Braddock, a figure nearly a decade her senior. The Braddock family, residing in the affluent town of Maldon, Essex, enjoyed a life of opulence within the ancestral Braddock Manor. The estate stood proudly on land that had been a part of the Braddock heritage since before the Roman invasion of Britain. [Captain Britain v2 #1 / Captain Britain v1 #8, #9 / Excalibur v2 #3 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #463, #464 / Excalibur v4 #4]

Sir James Braddock, a denizen of the magical realm of Otherworld and a member of the Captain Britain Corps, fulfilled a divine duty assigned by the God-wizard Merlyn. His task was to sire a savior, and Lady Elizabeth from the universe known as Earth-616 was chosen as the genetically-compatible mate. Although Jamie’s Otherworld genes were subverted, the twins, Betsy and Brian, inherited extraordinary powers, indicating their destined path of glory as descendants of Otherworld’s warrior caste. [Captain Britain v2 #7 / Excalibur v2 #3 / Excalibur v1 #55]

The Braddocks’ privileged life in the protective confines of Braddock Manor shielded them from the hardships of the outside world, fostering in Betsy and Brian a facade of British reserve. Betsy’s bedroom, adorned with a hint of oriental decor, exuded femininity. The family enjoyed the services of numerous attendants, including a butler, a groundskeeper named Mick, and their dedicated housekeeper, Emma Collins, who had been part of the family since the twins’ childhood. Serving as both a nanny and an indulgent caretaker, Emma often spoiled the Braddocks. The twins were particularly fond of her special soup, but Betsy’s preferred culinary delight was walnut cream cake. [Excalibur v1 #55 / Captain Britain v1 #9, #13 / Mighty World of Marvel v2 #16 / Excalibur v1 #19, #47]

The family’s business, Braddock Enterprises, led by Sir James, was a stalwart in the realm of computer science and robotics. Operating from Braddock Manor, the estate included farms that provided employment to numerous families in neighboring villages. Additional properties in the family’s portfolio comprised a Summer Cottage in Cornwall on England’s south coast, Jamie’s flat in Chelsea, Brian’s townhouse in London at 1 Merlin Mews, Betsy’s Lake House, the Empress Matilda Docks in Rotherhithe, London, and a private plane. [Excalibur v1 #1, #19, #31, #59, #61, #62 / Mighty World of Marvel v2 #16 / Captain Britain v2 #1 / Captain Britain v1 #34 / New Excalibur v1 #18]

Betsy’s childhood was marked by joy and camaraderie. She and Brian shared a close bond, affectionately referring to each other as ‘Bee,’ while also looking up to their elder brother, Jamie. Like a skinned-knee tomboy, Betsy could often be found scraping in the garden and used to cry when forced to wear dresses. Sir James and Lady Elizabeth, often absent due to their commitments, entrusted the care of the twins to teenage Jamie, inadvertently burdening him. Secretly resentful, Jamie considered himself the flawed prototype before the arrival of the ‘terrific twins.’ Betsy faced teasing from Jamie, who would playfully threaten to throw her toy rabbit, Mr. Poo, into the river. The twins often sought refuge in a secret hideaway within Braddock Manor, observing Jamie’s transformation into a less benevolent figure. [Captain Britain v2 #1 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #456 / Excalibur Annual #2 / Excalibur v1 #18 / Excalibur v4 #1, #13]

As time passed, Betsy and Brian began attending prep school, possibly at Fettes College in Edinburgh. Betsy’s upbringing along the Scottish border involved hiking the coastal highlands and breathing the crisp Atlantic air. Financial setbacks altered the family’s fortunes, distancing them from their once affluent peers. Isolated at Braddock Manor, Betsy often felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness, exacerbated by the prevalent belief that the house was haunted. In her perception, her parents seemed disconnected, residing in a separate world that didn’t acknowledge or care about their existence. [Excalibur v1 #53 / Ultimates 2 v1 #4 / Daredevils v1 #1 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #256 / New Exiles v1 #1]

As the twins matured, their distinct personalities emerged. Betsy embraced adventure and playfulness, while Brian delved into the depths of physics, a pursuit that irked his more mischievous sister. Betsy’s childhood dreams were infused with the desire to run like hounds on the chase, soar like a hawk on the hunt, and fight like a force of nature. Flying had been a recurring dream since her earliest memories. Unconventional for a girl of her time, Betsy eschewed dolls and horseback riding in favor of imagining herself as a fighter aircraft pilot. While Brian immersed himself in his studies, Betsy found solace in playing with Jamie, particularly in the ruins of St. William’s Tower, her cherished childhood play spot. [Uncanny X-Men v1 #256, #456, #464 / Daredevils v1 #1 / X-Men v2 #20, #103]

The vibrant and lively Betsy and the ever successful Jamie rekindled their bond, embarking on their own adventures while Brian buried himself in books. A popular racing car driver, Jamie attracted a string of girlfriends, none of whom endeared themselves to Betsy. However, the aristocratic tones of Godfrey Calthrop, one of Jamie’s friends, stirred a reaction in her. Sir James often took Jamie and Betsy on foxhunts, an activity that left Brian preferring the solitude of indoor pursuits. Betsy’s first successful fox kill earned her Jamie’s pride but fueled Brian’s jealousy, intensifying his sense of emotional neglect in the shadow of his accomplished siblings. Rebelling against the family dynamics, Betsy found herself shipped off to a sheep farm in New Zealand at the age of 14, a lesson in responsibility orchestrated by Sir James and Lady Elizabeth. It was during her teenage years that Betsy grappled with an eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. [Uncanny X-Men v1 #256, #464, #473 / Excalibur Annual #2 / Uncanny X-Force v1 #23 / Excalibur v1 #54 / Uncanny X-Force v2 #6 / The X-Tremists v1 #3]

Sir James’ affiliation with the London branch of the Hellfire Club, situated in Grosvenor Crescent, Mayfair, added a layer of intrigue to the Braddock family life. Holding the title of Black Bishop, Sir James occasionally brought both Betsy and Brian to the club. While Betsy reveled in the brilliance of the parties, enjoying the gathering of Britain’s best and brightest, Brian consistently steered clear of such engagements. The leather and lash parties became formative experiences for Betsy. In their teenage years, Brian would escort Betsy to society events to fend off unwanted attention from girls. Betsy’s strict upbringing in a finishing school context made her hesitant to engage in relationships during this period, with even kissing being a rare occurrence. [Excalibur v1 #9, #21, #96, #97 / X-Men v2 #29 / Uncanny X-Men v4 #12 / Excalibur v4 #1 / X-Men Annual v2 #1995]

At the age of 18, the earliest permissible age, Betsy commenced training for a Commercial Pilot License. Surpassing both practical and theoretical requisites, she obtained her pilot’s license before mastering the skill of driving, dedicating every available moment to the skies. Betsy’s career took flight as a charter pilot, specializing in private jet charters. Simultaneously, her passion for singing led her to undergo formal vocal training at the Royal Academy of Music in London. The desire to perform in front of an audience had always been a dream. In addition to her aeronautical pursuits, Betsy showcased her prowess as a skilled ski racer, conquering winter slopes outside Braddock Manor and completing the Olympic slalom course in near-record time. [X-Men v2 #103 / Captain Britain v1 #8 / Psylocke v1 #1 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #319 / Captain Britain v2 #14 / New Mutants Annual #2 / Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom / What’s the minimum age for a commercial airline pilot?]

Upon concluding her secondary education at 18, referred to as the sixth form/Key Stage 5 in the UK, Betsy left Braddock Manor to pursue higher education. The university and course of study remain unspecified. Tragically, during her time away at college, both of Betsy’s parents, Sir James Braddock and Lady Elizabeth, met their demise in an explosion that devastated the private laboratory at the Manor. The grieving process led to their burial beyond the west wing of the Manor, with a monument erected in their honor in Otherworld. Betsy fondly remembered her father’s infectious smile and unassuming brilliance. However, the death of her mother haunted her in recurring nightmares, making Betsy feel like a child again as she grappled with the loss. The siblings drifted apart after their parents’ demise, with Betsy and Brian maintaining contact, while Jamie, now the head of Braddock Enterprises, became a distant figure heard of only through the papers. Brian engaged in a summer internship at the Darkmoor Energy Research Centre, while Betsy grappled with a profound sense of loneliness during this period. [Captain Britain v2 #1 / Captain Britain v1 #14 / Excalibur v2 #3, #4 / Uncanny X-Force v1 #35 / Uncanny X-Men v1 #460 / Excalibur Annual #2 / Excalibur v1 #55, #59 / The X-Tremists v1 #2 / Education in England / Key Stage 5 / Higher education in England]

Marvel Announces New 'X-Men Red' Ongoing with Jean Grey

The X-Men are getting a new color-coded title in February with X-Men: Red from writer Tom Taylor and artist Mahmud Asrar, with covers from Travis Charest.

X-Men: Red will focus on a team led by Jean Grey after her return in Phoenix: Resurrection. No further information about the plot or cast of X-Men: Red has been announced.

Rumor: The X-Men To Join 'Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite'

ComicBookMovie: According to an insider, Star-Lord, Ms. Marvel plus Capcom’s Asura, Gill, and Lady will debut in Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite's season 2. These are not the only characters that are currently in development, as the user mentioned eagerly awaited X-Men characters like Wolverine, Cyclops, Psylocke, Storm and Deadpool. Fantastic 4 will finally be represented by Doctor Doom, but he’s not the only villain in works, as Magneto and Green Goblin should debut soon. The developer also plans to include Daredevil, Ms. Marvel and twelve characters from the Capcom universe.

Four player 2 vs 2 mode is being implemented to the game, but it’s hard to say when the publisher will be ready to release it. Logan and Wade Wilson are expected to launch next summer, but the fate of the rest of Marvel characters is currently unknown. Sadly, you shouldn’t expect to see Ant-Man anytime soon due to major technical issues. Capcom is also fixing the graphics and the art style to improve the look of MvC: Infinite and aims to have "between 58 to 60 characters” when it’s all said and done.

Astonishing X-Men #6 Phoenix Variant by Kris Anka

Astonishing X-Men #5 Art