DAMN BLOODY SKRULLS: CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI: 13

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Those green-skinned, pointy-eared and lumpy-chined agents of shape-shifting aliens known as the Skrulls sure are not fannying around when it comes to nicking superheroes. In their quest to conquer Earth, they have also set their sights on invading the United Kingdom.

However, the invasion itself might not turn out to be easy peasy as they’d hoped for when the first issue of Captain Britain and MI: 13, a new May-debuting ongoing series that spins out of Secret Invasion, Marvel’s big summer blockbuster event.

How will the war machines of the unstoppable Skrull army fare against the British Intelligence’s MI: 13 division that now includes former X-Force, Excalibur, Invaders and Avengers members such as Pete Wisdom, Captain Britian, Spitfire, Black Knight, a British John Lennon doppelganger named John the Skrull and British Muslim agent Faiza Hussein?

Join us as we interrogate series writer Paul Cornell about the UK’s defense mechanisms.

Newsarama: Let’s start with the basics Paul - how is the Secret Invasion buzz going in the land of Faringdon, UK?

Paul Cornell: The guys down my local, The Crown, keep saying that I'm writing too much about comics on my blog, Paul Cornell's House of Awkwardness. But after they've had a few, they start asking about Skrulls. Tonight I'm about to auction off one of Marvel's cardboard Skrull masks as part of a geeky package in aid of a local hospice. I really need Stan Lee to pop over to Oxfordshire to help with stuff like that.

NRAMA: So you’re all Skrully nowadays? Have you spotted some Skrully figures amongst the town folks already?

PC: It was always thus. The big dimpled chins and aggressive expressions are familiar to those of us who've sat amongst the crowd at Somerset cricket matches.

NRAMA: Well, speaking of shape-shifting aliens and extraterrestrial beings bent upon conquering Earth, you'd written your fair share of stories in various Dr. Who comics, novels and audio plays. Let's not forget about the Martian invasion story in the Wisdom limited series. So, what brought about your involvement with Captain Britain and MI: 13?

PC: Naughty Nick Lowe asked me if I'd like to have a go at it, and after a lot of discussions about focus, about what sort of book we'd like to do, off we went. It's all Mark Millar's fault. He saw my Doctor Who episodes and asked if I'd like to see if Marvel wanted me. One of the better e-mails I've ever had.

NRAMA: Now, wasn't it previously reported that you would be taking over New Excalibur? Is Captain Britain and MI: 13 what's become of it?

PC: Kind of. I think there have been so many Excaliburs lately that Nick just wanted to underline that this is a fresh start. And it shows that we have a purpose firmly in mind. And it spotlights Cap, which is fine by me.

NRAMA: How did the Skrulls factor into your plans then? Or was it a case of Marvel launching it alongside their much anticipated summer blockbuster event?

PC: And me going yes please, I'll take being part of the summer blockbuster. For a start, it gives us four issues of huge British war movie, SF vs. the supernatural, with lots of fighter planes, knightly combat and punching Skrulls' heads off.

NRAMA: Bloody! Okay, the team members were recently revealed and it looks like an interesting mix of characters. One of those who caught my attention is John the Skrull. He's basically a duplicate of John Lennon and in the Wisdom LS, it's revealed that he, along with three other Skrulls, once planned to take over the world by replacing the Beatles?

PC: Yes, John and the other three planned, originally, to replace the Fabs and rule the world. But then they got a bit too into it, and were seduced, like Sergeant Frog in the manga series, by the pleasures of the world they were meant to invade.

NRAMA: What were they thinking of? Instead of "Imagine all the people living life in peace…", they were planning to dominate the world by using music?

PC: The idea was that the Beatles were basically, at one point, in charge of youth culture. That was 1963's rather more gentle form of Secret Invasion, leads the kids slowly towards Skrullness. All you need is Skrull. I want to hold your Skrull. Let it Kree. I'll stop now.

NRAMA: So how did he become part of British intelligence agency known as MI: 13?

PC: We haven't seen that story, and maybe I'll tell it soon. I think Pete Wisdom tends, at a certain point in the evening, to end up in a bar and run into people. But there's more to it than that.

NRAMA: With the full-scale Skrull invasion happening, where does his loyalty lie?

PC: With the Earth, absolutely. He's been living here for decades. There probably was a place back home, or a subculture, that had his loyalty, rather than the military, but that's gone now. And I think he was easily drawn away from his mission and to Earth.

NRAMA: And you’ve got Faisa Hussein, a British Muslim, right?

PC: Yes. Following consultation with my wonderful panel of Muslim ladies, who I show the scripts to, it's now Faiza with a Z.

NRAMA: With the current world view on Muslims and terrorism, what was her life like prior to the Skrull invasion?

PC: Pretty normal, really. I'm trying to paint the life of an everyday British Muslim person. They'd be touched every now and then by stereotype and racism, obviously, but it's not their life, or even the major part of it. The relationship between minorities and mainstream culture in Britain is a little different to how it is in the States, so I'm hoping to show that. Faiza hasn't got a radical brother who'll spit on Captain Britain's costume. (See, I note the cliches in advance, so I won't do them, hopefully.) She just sees herself as British, in the way that the person she's named after, England cricket Captain Nasser Hussain, probably does. I'm hoping Faiza will be loved for who she is: a boggled, talking nineteen to the dozen, fan of British superheroes, reader way in character. I also wanted to present an offhandedly, everyday, religious character, for whom faith is not their whole existence, and will only be mentioned when it would be. She's not here to fulfill a quota or represent an entire culture, though she won't be letting anyone down. She's a young hero. She's our Kitty Pryde.

NRAMA: Moving on, looking at the rest of the team roster, there's Spitfire and Dane Whitman aka the Black Knight. One's an Invader, the other's an Avenger. What brought about their participation in Captain Britain and Wisdom's team?

PC: Spitfire, alongside Union Jack, is someone that British intelligence already call on from time to time, and now's a good time, since they're up to their neck in Skrulls.

Dane just wades in when London's invaded, and ends up fighting alongside Faiza.

NRAMA: So, the four-issue introductory arc will see the team defending the UK against the Skrull invasion. However, with Captain Britain's ties to the Omniverse, wouldn't some of his friends have come to aid him if he were to call? The Skrulls wouldn't stand a chance at all, would they?

PC: The Omniverse (and what a fine fanzine that was) isn't an option, for reasons we go into.

NRAMA: Will we be seeing how the Skrull invasion affects other parts of Europe as well?

PC: Not in this book, but I'd love to see what Captain Brittany is dealing.

NRAMA: How do you take them to the next level in terms of bigger scale threats? Remember how Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch pitted The Authority against God? Or will the team be facing threats from within instead? In other words, what else have you got planned for Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom and the gang?

PC: There's a visit from a Marvel hero most people don't remember as being British in issue five, which is also our foundation issue, as Pete and Brian work out what a modern superhero team should be like and start to build it. There's a big continual threat that this book deals with that will become obvious in time. Basically, this comic is me doing a kind of rollercoaster of widescreen action/intelligent drama, back and forth, bam bam bam, trying to please my ten-year-old self and my adult self. And you've seen that Leonard's really up for that, with those huge action scenes but also those passionate character conversations.

This is really about that word: passion. I want people cheering and sobbing manly and womanly tears. As Nick keeps saying: we're bringing 'hero' back. True believer.

NRAMA: Will you be adding new team members anytime soon? After all, the British corner of the Marvel Universe has a whole library of characters...

PC: Yeah. And as issue one reveals, every British hero is, de facto, a team member. So we'll dip in and out of that selection and visit with some characters very briefly, some for one mission, some on a more regular basis.

NRAMA: By the way, I just have to ask: Is Captain Britain and MI: 13 the Marvel version of Dr. Who spin-off series, Torchwood?

PC: If Captain Jack had super powers... wait, he does! But he doesn't wear a long coat and... no, okay, wait a sec... we've got a hypersonic vampire in our comic. That's the big difference.

NRAMA: Who's cooler: Marvel's Alistaire Stuart or Dr. Who's Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart? Why?

PC: Oh, you're asking me to choose between two of my favorite characters! It'd be Daddy or chips all over again. No, I shan't.

NRAMA: And since we're touching on Dr. Who and related stuff, wouldn't it be cool if somebody actually pitched a Skrulls vs Daleks (or Zygons or Shalka or Vardans or any of Dr. Who's alien invaders)? Think Aliens vs Predator?

PC: Wouldn't that be great, a Doctor Who/MI 13 crossover in comics form? Someone really should suggest that.

Related:

Damn Dirty Skrulls: Thor

Damn Dirty Skrulls Flashback: Skrull Kill Krew

Damn Dirty Skrulls: Cosmic

Damn Dirty Skrulls: Black Panther

Damn Dirty Skrulls: Spider-Man

Damn Dirty Skrulls: Fighting the Four

Newsarama Note: The original interview contained a question that was inappropriate and poor attempt at humor, which has since been removed. Newsarama and the writer apologize to all who were offended by the question, and we deeply regret the poor judgment that allowed it to appear in the first place.

[ejulp]

I'm really excited for this, I've loved every single interview with Paul, comes across as very bright, and have high hopes for his construction of this series. His Young Avengers issue was fun, and the one issue of Wisdom I tracked down was very well written as well. I wonder if, in a few years, him and Fraction and Bru will be the new Millar-Bendis-Morrison New Nu-Marvel combo...I'm getting very good vibes from Cornell.

Also, I have not liked Kirk's work in the past, thought it came across as pretty flat....

BUT

At comic book resources they have preview pages of the first issue up http://www.comicbookresources.com/?p...ticle&id=16193 and his artwork looks amazing, maybe the problem was in the past that he was not given enough lead time with his work, because those pages are beautiful.

[durkadurka]

I'm really excited for this series. It looks amazing, and has a great cast.

NRAMA: And since we're touching on Dr. Who and related stuff, wouldn't it be cool if somebody actually pitched a Skrulls vs Daleks (or Zygons or Shalka or Vardans or any of Dr. Who's alien invaders)? Think Aliens vs Predator?

Daleks. No contest.

[painters_eye]

...any chance that Marvel might go back to the Bronze age Captain Britain mask/costume?

[Corpulent1]

Super-excited for this. I love the Black Knight--he's my second-favorite character after Thor. His friendship with Captain Britain is great, so I hope Cornell plays that aspect up, especially since Brian basically begged Dane to join New Excalibur during Tieri's fill-in arc on that series.

I'm a little apprehensive given that the very first arc is an event tie-in, but hopefully that'll boost its sales enough to survive for a while. The cards are really stacked against new ongoings, especially ones like this, without much in the way of instantly recognizable, well-liked icons.

[NewChad]

Marvel hero people don't remember as being British? I got no idea?!?!

Chamber?

[Omega Flyer]

It's all Mark Millar's fault. He saw my Doctor Who episodes and asked if I'd like to see if Marvel wanted me. One of the better e-mails I've ever had.

Another reason to love Mark Millar! Really looking forward to this.

Originally Posted by Ravager

WTF on the jihad question?

Seemed to be intended as a joke but it was a pretty tasteless one, especially considering Cornell has specifically pointed out that Faiza is just a normal person whose religion plays as much a role as any normal persons does. Cornell didn't seem pleased with it either.

[Corpulent1]

I just finished reading the interview in its entirety (I skimmed for Black Knight stuff earlier). The less this series has in common with Torchwood, the better. I liked all of Cornell's episodes of Doctor Who, Primeval, and Robin Hood, so hopefully that's a good sign for the series.

Originally Posted by NewChad

Marvel hero people don't remember as being British? I got no idea?!?!

Chamber?

He's off in the New Warriors as Decibel now.

I can't think of anyone British who's not easily identifiable as British...

[narm00]

Originally Posted by Corpulent1

I can't think of anyone British who's not easily identifiable as British...

Could be Blade, who's a British national. Ka-Zar's an option, too.

[GLX]

Can't wait to read this comic.

[HartyPotter]

Nice to see some Captain Britain action.

[ReaperFett]

Originally Posted by narm00

Could be Blade, who's a British national. Ka-Zar's an option, too.

Spider-Woman was born in London IIRC.

[runrobotrun]

Very tasteless question. Lets at least have professional interviewers asking tough questions about politics and religion. Very poor show.

I'm going to give this comic a few issues. A few thoughts on the mystery character in issue five:

• Jarvis
• Ka-Zar
• Spider Woman

[BlueBeetleIII]

The one series I care about for this Skrull stuff.

British Hero people don't remember as British

Psylocke?

[Corpulent1]

Originally Posted by narm00

Could be Blade, who's a British national. Ka-Zar's an option, too.

Blade's British? That would definitely fit. I don't think anyone looks at him and immediately thinks "that guy's British."

A quick trip to Wikipedia also gave me the following list of candidates:

Lila Cheney
Fantomex
Psylocke (Duh; the average reader who doesn't know her whole story probably wouldn't know she's British. I didn't for many years after I first heard of her as a kid.)
Micromax

I think the likeliest candidates are Blade (on account of Spitfire becoming a vampire) or Psylocke (since she's Brian's sister).

[Spade]

Sound spretty interesting. Marvel sure is kicking out a lot of new superhero team books.

What are Pete Wisdom's powers. In all these years I never knew what they were. I thought he was basically human.

[ljacone]

This title sounds like fun. I guess what Claremont did in Die By The Sword is what it is, and since this book is not Excalibur it doesn't particularly matter who was on the team or not.

Anyway, I think it's funny that this title is a patchwork of characters (just like New Excalibur), is being launched off of a major event (just like New Excalibur), and is supposed to redefine how the Marvel Universe's UK works (just like New Excalibur), but it's not Excalibur. Be that as it may, Cornell sounds very enthusiastic, the preview artwork looks great, and I am very,very excited about this title, and am very much looking forward to it.

[Dallas Bar]

Wasn't Fantomex french ( his name refers to Fantomas)?

John. The. Skrull!
I'm going to love this! Hope Skrull Paul pops in too!

Originally Posted by Spade

Sound spretty interesting. Marvel sure is kicking out a lot of new superhero team books.

What are Pete Wisdom's powers. In all these years I never knew what they were. I thought he was basically human.

He throws energy shards from his fingers. He calls this "hot knifes". His secondary weapons are his British sarcasm and bad temper.

[Dallas Bar]

Originally Posted by Spade

Sound spretty interesting. Marvel sure is kicking out a lot of new superhero team books.

What are Pete Wisdom's powers. In all these years I never knew what they were. I thought he was basically human.

He throws energy shards from his fingers. He calls this "hot knifes". His secondary weapons are his British sarcasm and bad temper.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by NewChad

Marvel hero people don't remember as being British? I got no idea?!?!

Chamber?

Most likely it's Blade.

[Squashua]

Wot wot. Pip.

[gig]

Originally Posted by Dallas Bar

Wasn't Fantomex french ( his name refers to Fantomas)?

John. The. Skrull!
I'm going to love this! Hope Skrull Paul pops in too!



He throws energy shards from his fingers. He calls this "hot knifes". His secondary weapons are his British sarcasm and bad temper.

He pretends to be French but he was born in the World which is located in England.

[mightytev]

Can someone point me to some good Black Knight stories? I found some old Avengers comics with him in, and am intrigued.

Also, I'm looking forwards to this book more and more. When's it out? Thursday?

[durkadurka]

Originally Posted by gig

He pretends to be French but he was born in the World which is located in England.

I'm not sure if that counts as him being British.
But if it does, that would be badass, because that's a character i would love to see return. And with this cast, in this title, he would be a great addition.
Blade or Ka-zar would also be pretty sweet. I hope it's not Psylocke, because if she returns she needs to go back to the X-men. Really that just has to happen (Claremont, i'm looking at you!).

[kcekada]

I'm not familiar with the writer, but I like what he's setting up.

Love the cast (hurry for Spitfire!) and the art team. I think this will quickly become a favorite read of mine.