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The Union (Marvel)

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Not to be confused with Union (comics) (1994), published by Image Comics.

The Union
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceKing in Black [a]
The Union #1 (2020)
Created by
In-story information
Type of organisationSuperhero
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

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)

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

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

The Union was formed by the British government both as publicity attempt to restore faith in the UK and to create superhero team capable of addressing threats. The team's formation is funded by billionaire Steve Darwin, who saw the potential in bringing together these new and old superheroes under one banner.[10]

The members, while representing different parts of the UK, must learn to work together, often overcoming their differences and personal struggles.[11]

The team’s adventures take them up against various villains including international threats and supernatural forces. With Britannia as their leader, the Union’s goal is to protect the nation and unite the super-powered heroes of its past and future.

Characters

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.

Union Jack

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.[12] In Union Jack the Ripper #2, Bulldog is turned into a vampire and in Union Jack Blood Hunt #3 Bulldog is killed.

Roster

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.[13][14]

(Current member are indicated in bold) (Leaders are highlighted in gold)

Current Roster

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 4[j] N/A

Deceased members

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

Allies

  • 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)[15]

Enemies

  • 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)[16]

Races and species (featured)

Reaction

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.[18][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "'The Union' Introduces New Superteam to Marvel's Comic Book Universe This May". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  2. ^ Lealos, Shawn. S (December 7, 2020). "King in Black: Knull's Attack Kills One of Marvel's Newest Heroes". Comic Book Resources.
  3. ^ Corley, Shaun (2020-11-29). "Marvel's New UK Team Arrives in THE UNION #1 Preview". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  4. ^ Lovett, Jamie (October 30, 2020). "Marvel's The Union: Paul Grist Talks Introducing New Superhero Team During King in Black". Comic Book.
  5. ^ Grist, Paul (July 7, 2021). The Union: The Britannia Project. Marvel Entertainment. ISBN 9781302938680 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ MacNamee, Olly (December 2, 2020). "Review: 'The Union' #1 Introduces Readers To A United Team For A Disunited Britain". Comicon.
  7. ^ Dodge, John (2021-09-30). "The Marvels Puts a Controversial King in Black Team Back in Action". CBR. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  8. ^ Dodge, John (2024-06-29). "Marvel's Blood Hunt Reveals the Gruesome Fate of a Fan-Favorite Superhero". CBR. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  9. ^ "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 Reviews". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  10. ^ Corley, Shaun (2021-05-03). "Marvel's Union Learns the Truth of Their Existence in New Preview". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  11. ^ Wood, Robert (2020-10-31). "The Union: Marvel Hints at Dark Origins of New British Heroes". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  12. ^ Wood, Robert (2021-02-21). "Marvel's Newest Team Have a Brand New Member... Who They Don't Want". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  13. ^ Isaak, Joshua (May 16, 2021). "Marvel Reveals a Horrifying to Alternative To Infinity Stones". Screen Rant.
  14. ^ Corley, Shaun (May 14, 2021). "Marvel's British Wolverine Just Endured a Humiliating Fastball Special". Screen Rant.
  15. ^ "The Union #1". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  16. ^ King, Samantha (2021-03-29). "Marvel's The Union Introduces New British Supervillains". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  17. ^ "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 Reviews". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  18. ^ Jones, Branwen (February 24, 2020). "Marvel unveils its Welsh superhero - and some fans think it's 'humiliating". Daily Post.
  19. ^ Hay, Katherine (February 20, 2020). "This is a big mistake': Scots react as Marvel launch new UK superhero team called The Union". Edinburgh News.

Footnotes

  1. ^ King in Black is the first crossover event that The Union features in and includes the first of The Union series of comics
  2. ^ Leader in The Union #1 (deceased)
  3. ^ Turned into a vampire in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2 and killed in #3 (deceased)
  4. ^ This was part of a 5 issue mini series
  5. ^ Cameo appearance only in flashbacks
  6. ^ The Union is mentioned and Britannia and Kelpie appear in a flashback
  7. ^ appears as cameo
  8. ^ appears as cameo
  9. ^ see other characters (Enemies) section
  10. ^ See deceased members that feature as cameos in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
  11. ^ but in The Union #5 he is eventually stopped through the combined efforts of Union Jack and the spirit of Britannia.
  12. ^ appears as a cameo
  13. ^ Bulldog is turning into a vampire in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
  14. ^ see other characters (Enemies) section
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