The Union (Marvel)
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar problems. (July 2024) |
| The Union | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | King in Black [a] The Union #1 (2020) |
| Created by |
|
| In-story information | |
| Type of organisation | Superhero |
| Base(s) | United Kingdom |
| Agent(s) |
|
| Roster | |
| See: Current Roster | |
The Union is a UK superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel comics.[1]
The Union appeared in the crossover event called King in Black alongside other well known comic book heroes and teams, and faced off against known foes and new foes not yet fought by any Marvel superhero or team.[2]
Comic Publication History
[edit]The Union is a five issue mini series that first appeared in December 2020 with Union #1.[3] The Union was originally due to be release as part of the Empyre event, but was moved and rewritten to fit into King in Black event due to issues caused by the ongoing pandemic.[4][d]
The Union (comics)
[edit]| King in Black | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Issue No | Release | Publisher | Created by |
| 1 | December 2, 2020 | Marvel | Paul Grist (writer)
Andrea Di Vito (illustrator) |
| 2 | January 13, 2021 | ||
| 3 | February 24, 2021 | ||
| 4 | March 31, 2021 | ||
| 5 | May 5, 2021 | ||
| Special releases | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Release | ISBN | Publisher | Created by | Type | Citation |
| The Union: The Britannia Project | July 7, 2021 | ISBN 9781302938680 | Marvel | Paul Grist (writer)
Andrea Di Vito (illustrator) |
Trade Paper Back (TPB) | [5] |
Team Publication History
[edit]On December 02, 2020, The Union appeared in The Union #1 as part of the King in Black crossover event.[6]
On 29 September 2021, The Union appeared in Marvels #5.[7][e]
On 15 May 2024 The Union appeared in Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #1-3 with Bulldog featuring as a supporting character.[8][9][f]
Team History
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
The Union was formed by the British government as publicity attempt to restore faith in the UK. The team's formation is funded by billionaire Steve Darwin and was the dream of Britannia who wished to see super powered representatives from across the U.K serve Queen and country.[10]
The members, while representing different parts of the UK have to work together to face a variety of enemies, these including the Knull, Doc Croc, The Sponge, Vampires and Baron Blood. The Union under the leadership of Britannia has protected the nation and united the super-powered heroes of its past and future[11][12]
Characters
[edit]Britannia
Britannia was the leader of the Union in the Union #1 and represented the United Kingdom as a whole. She was a powerful warrior that wore a dark and light contrasting blue outfit with a red cloak. She was seen wielding a sword and shield, as well as a trident. After being killed by a symbiote dragon, her spirit resided within Union Jack, to protect him from harm and enhance his strength.
Representative of England in the team and current leader, He is the only pre-existing character in the Union, and the latest man to bear the name of a character who first appeared in The Invaders.
Kelpie
Representative of Scotland in the team. She is referred to as "an ancient water demon found living in a Scottish lake". She has the power to control water, as well as being able to transform her hands into sharp claws.
The Choir
Representative of Wales in the team. She has black hair with a bright green strip across the top, and she is dressed in a glowing green and black contrasting outfit with a blue cloak and she wields a dagger. She is described as having "a voice that can shatter stone". During the attack on Earth by Knull, the Choir is infected by a symbiote. She is freed of Knull's control through the efforts of the Union, but later defects to work alongside Doc Croc and his team.
Snakes
Representative of Northern Ireland in the team. Snakes is a sentient collection of snakes formed together in the shape of a human. Described as having "the strength of ten men".
Bulldog
Joining the team as a replacement for Britannia after her death, Bulldog was a short man who displays super-strength and enhanced agility. He wore a red and grey jumpsuit and black boots.[13] In Union Jack the Ripper #2, Bulldog is turned into a vampire and in Union Jack Blood Hunt #3 Bulldog is killed.
Roster
[edit]The Union (Marvel team) roster has gone through a number of changes, this includes members leaving and joining the team and being present in a spirit form.[14][15]
(Current member are indicated in bold) (Leaders are highlighted in gold)
Current Roster
[edit]| The Union | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Member | The Union (Comic) | The Marvels | Union Jack: Blood Hunt | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Union Jack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [g] | No |
| Kelpie | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [h] | No |
| The Choir | Yes | Yes | Yes | No[i] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Snakes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| No of Members | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | N/A | 2[j] | N/A |
Deceased members
[edit]| Team Member | The Union (Comic) | The Marvels | Union Jack: Blood Hunt | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Britannia | Yes | No | No | No | [k] | No | No | [l] | No |
| Bulldog | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[m] | No[n] |
Supporting Characters
[edit]Allies
[edit]- Selwlyn James (Government Minister with special responsibility for super heroes), the head of the Britannia Project, and the Union's government liaison. Later revealed to be ex-supervillain The Sponge
- Steve Darwin (Leader of the Britannia Project)[16]
- Mara Syal
- Captain America
- Captain Britain
Enemies
[edit]- Knull
- Doc Croc (Croker Dyle)
- The Sponge (Selwlyn James)
- Skreem (The Choir) (supervillain / superhero) (Introduced in The Union #1) (First full appearance in The Union #4)
- Volcana (introduced in The Union #4)
- Lady Shimmering Lights (introduced in The Union #4)
- Craig, the cybernetically enhanced Corgi (introduced in The Union #4)[17]
Races and species (featured)
[edit]Reaction
[edit]The Union received mixed reviews from people across the United Kingdom, with some of the Scottish and Welsh people disagreeing with the name of the group and the way that their characters Kelpie (Scotland) & The Choir (Wales) portray the two countries.[19][20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "'The Union' Introduces New Superteam to Marvel's Comic Book Universe This May". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Lealos, Shawn. S (December 7, 2020). "King in Black: Knull's Attack Kills One of Marvel's Newest Heroes". Comic Book Resources.
- ^ Corley, Shaun (2020-11-29). "Marvel's New UK Team Arrives in THE UNION #1 Preview". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (October 30, 2020). "Marvel's The Union: Paul Grist Talks Introducing New Superhero Team During King in Black". Comic Book.
- ^ Grist, Paul (July 7, 2021). The Union: The Britannia Project. Marvel Entertainment. ISBN 9781302938680 – via Google Books.
- ^ MacNamee, Olly (December 2, 2020). "Review: 'The Union' #1 Introduces Readers To A United Team For A Disunited Britain". Comicon.
- ^ Dodge, John (2021-09-30). "The Marvels Puts a Controversial King in Black Team Back in Action". CBR. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Dodge, John (2024-06-29). "Marvel's Blood Hunt Reveals the Gruesome Fate of a Fan-Favorite Superhero". CBR. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 Reviews". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Corley, Shaun (2021-05-03). "Marvel's Union Learns the Truth of Their Existence in New Preview". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 - Blood Ties (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ King, Samantha (2021-03-29). "Marvel's The Union Introduces New British Supervillains". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Wood, Robert (2021-02-21). "Marvel's Newest Team Have a Brand New Member... Who They Don't Want". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
- ^ Isaak, Joshua (May 16, 2021). "Marvel Reveals a Horrifying to Alternative To Infinity Stones". Screen Rant.
- ^ Corley, Shaun (May 14, 2021). "Marvel's British Wolverine Just Endured a Humiliating Fastball Special". Screen Rant.
- ^ "The Union #1". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ King, Samantha (2021-03-29). "Marvel's The Union Introduces New British Supervillains". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 Reviews". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Jones, Branwen (February 24, 2020). "Marvel unveils its Welsh superhero - and some fans think it's 'humiliating". Daily Post.
- ^ Hay, Katherine (February 20, 2020). "This is a big mistake': Scots react as Marvel launch new UK superhero team called The Union". Edinburgh News.
External links
[edit]- Marvel
- The Union (Marvel Comic Series)
- The Union (Marvel Comic Series) (trade paperback)
- The Marvels #5 (Marvel Comic)
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ King in Black is the first crossover event that The Union features in and includes the first of The Union series of comics
- ^ Leader in The Union #1 (deceased)
- ^ Turned into a vampire in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2 and killed in #3 (deceased)
- ^ This was part of a 5 issue mini series
- ^ Cameo appearance only in flashbacks
- ^ The Union is mentioned and Britannia and Kelpie appear in a flashback
- ^ appears as cameo
- ^ appears as cameo
- ^ see other characters (Enemies) section
- ^ See deceased members that feature as cameos in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
- ^ but in The Union #5 he is eventually stopped through the combined efforts of Union Jack and the spirit of Britannia.
- ^ appears as a cameo
- ^ Bulldog is turning into a vampire in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
- ^ see other characters (Enemies) section