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| Sub Mariner, The (original) Human Torch, Spitfire, Captain America, Union Jack |
is for Union Jack.
Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Frank Robbins, Union Jack first appeared in Marvel Comics The Invaders #7
Originally an operative for the British government, Lord James Montgomery Falsworth was first active during World War I as Union Jack. It was during this time that he first encounters a skinny saboteur named Baron Blood....a vampire working for the Germans.
During World War II, Union Jack was active again, this time joining The Invaders after the original Human Torch saves his daughter's life via a blood transfusion after another run in with Baron Blood. The transfusion giving Jaqueline Falsworth the power of super speed which she uses while adopting the costumed identity of Spitfire.
After the attack, James finds out the Baron Blood is really his brother, John. A battle ensues and Blood crushes Jame's legs, ending his career as a crime fighter. James retaliates by impaling his brother on a silver veined stalagmite and ending the threat of Baron Blood...for the moment. After this, he quits the Invaders, but still travels with his daughter in a wheelchair before officially retiring after his son (who James had recently passed the mantle of Union Jack on to) is killed in a car wreck.
Many years later, Falsworth contacts Captain America to aid him in destroying Baron Blood...again. Come on, you didn't really think the Baron was gone....did you? After this adventure James Falsworth, already a very old man, passes away from heart failure.
James Falsworth possessed no superhuman powers, but was an athletic man trained in espionage as well as armed and unarmed combat. He had a bullet proof costume as well as a six inch dagger and a .455 Webly revolver.
I always thought Union Jack was a pretty cool character because, mainly, back then you didn't see a lot of heroes that weren't "American". Jack and Spitfire brought an English slant to many of the Invader's stories that I used to find fascinating. Being such a huge Invaders fan, it was neat to see heroes from other countries pop up...which happened quite a bit in their book.
Tomorrow we go back to the Great White North for another obscure hero....eh?
46 comments:
I hope he didn't wear the Union flag when he was an operative - wouldn't that have given him away somewhat? :-)
somewhere i have jack as an action figure... now i need to know if it's him or some other flag carrying super hero?
I'm all for diversity in the world of action heroes.
Union Jack is a true go-getter. Talk about not being a quitter, damn.
I never heard of Union Jack before, but he sounds like someone I'd want on my side.
Julie
Between WW1 and WW2, I'm happy to see that Union Jack had other activities besides fighting crime, ergo 2 kids.
wow, that's a lot of drama. It is nice to see other cultures come into the superhero field.
Maybe a little garlic or Holy water on the stalagmite would've helped?
I love the history and info you give on each one. I learn a little something each time!
I got a bit confused. I thought he was in a wheelchair already but why was he standing in the comic with Capt America?
YAY for the Brit hero. This is a cool one I can really get behind.
Now, I'm going to feel compelled to go look up "V" characters.
Very cool. I love the idea of a Superhero speaking in a posh Brit accent LOL.
@Annalisa: Well, I'm not sure just how 'covert' he was supposed to be, but I think he did wear the costume :)
@Jeremy: Actually, I've seen quite a few UJ figures on the internet. I never realized he was so popular in toy form.
@Cynthia: I agree and think it makes for a more interesting character dynamic :)
@Sheena: I know, even being paralyzed can't keep him down!!
@Julie: I would agree!
@Manzanita: lol...yeah, I guess he wasn't -all- business :)
@S.P.: Heh, yep, comic books can be a 'soap opera' at times :)
@Alex: True, but I'm not sure even that could have kept a villain like the Baron down :)
@Dani: Thank you!
@Dee: Great question, actually. I remember that used to be one of my biggest gripes about comic books, when I was younger, the fact that what happened on the cover didn't always reflect what happened on the pages inside. I think, in this case, though, (because I used to have this issue)..if I remember correctly, Union Jack had, somehow, regained a little bit of mobility in his legs. It wasn't much, but was enough for him give Cap a hand in defeating Baron Blood.
@jaybird: I always liked the Brit heroes, too. They just seemed classier :)
@Andrew: Heh, well I'm sure it won't be a hard for one to figure out if you got my clue. Don't tell though! :)
@Julie: Hehe, I know..he sounded more cultured while punching the bad guy in the snoot :)
Union Jack sounds like a cool character! I know this sounds terribly American-egotistical, but I had no idea that there were other superheroes from outside America - I thought it was a truly American obsession.
Thanks for sharing all these cool characters.
I can't imagine a worse combination than a vampire who was in league with Germans during WWI.
Mark, I think this was a great topic for a series of posts. I have become more and more interested in Oracle as the days have gone by and I wanted to thank you for inspiring that initial interest!
None of those Cap-era villains ever seem to permanently perish. At worst, you'll probably get Baron Blood's son. But they seem to have cursed Union Jack - I didn't realize his mantle came with so much rough luck.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
Shades of James Bond. Wonder if Ian Fleming read Marvel Comics. You sure got alot of info in this short review...power surges, vampires, life saving, invasions, bullet proof costumes and invalid super heros. Wow...this story has something for everyone.
My Letter 'U'...UFO Retreat
Sue CollectInTexasGal
AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee
They need to bring Union Jack back. He and Captain America could be trans-Atlantic buddies!
I never thought about most of the superheroes being American, but I guess they were.
Once again, I am going to point out how Patriotism was alive and well during WWI and WWII. They even brought characters over from England that were Flag Carrying Representations of the Best of Their Country. The world was a different place back then...
Hmmmm... what will V bring??
And I guess Americans just love their superheroes.
Union Jack is cool. I think I remember seeing a picture of him once, but I love hearing his storyline.
That's a great name for a superhero! I see you've already found your award at my place. :) It was your A to Z series that made me think of the Superhero question, btw.
Nice to see some British heroes. He sounds like a thoroughly good egg. Hard life, though.
You're right! A British super hero is kind of cool--and different! Neat! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
I believe I've said it before--but I love how all these comic characters intersect with each other!
Allison (Geek Banter)
@Tyrean: Oh yeah, they've had tons of international type heroes out there. A lot of very cool ones, too :)
@Lee: I know, I think it truly represents how evil the Nazis were.
@Suze: Thank you very much and that's quite a compliment! If you like female heroes, a mini-series my wife really liked, Marvel Divas, might be up your alley, too. Superheroing from a female point of view. Also the Dan Slott run of "She Hulk" was also well done.
@John: Quite a few of those WWII heroes had a rough go of it, but they never stopped fighting :)
@Sue: Hmmm....you never know :)
@Elizabeth: Well, never say 'never' in the Marvel Universe. If the right story comes up, Union Jack could rise again.
@Diane: Most were, yeah....though they did throw some others in for international flair.
@Robin: I totally agree. I miss those times.
@P.K.: Someone cool, I promise :)
@Christine: You probably did see him pop up somewhere...the name spanned a few generations.
@Nicki: I did see that and thank you again...I really appreciate it :) Heh, I thought it might have, but didn't want to just assume. Glad you're enjoying!
@Nick: The Invaders had a bunch of great Brit heroes, if you're ever interested in looking for the back issues :)
@Angela: I agree and thanks :)
@Allison: I think it's always a neat aspect of the comics, when they team up, etc.
I think they should bring UJ back and make a movie. But mostly because I dig the English accent. (;
Sad end to his life; legs get crushed, wheelchair, son dies, heart failure. It sure isn't all fun and games being a superhero.
Cool. I learned something new today. Thank you. I look forward to learning more about this mysterious Northern hero. :)
Deborah (Northern A to Z-er) ;)
Perhaps they were trying to appeal to UK audiences? It's fascinating how many stories involve vampires working for the Germans. I like Spitfire.
Speaking of "Union," did you ever see the NHL Guardians Stan Lee worked on? http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=549755
@Elise: Heh, that's a good a reason as any :)
@mshatch: Yeah, he had a rough go of it.
@Deborah: Thanks for stopping by and soon it will be revealed! :)
@Shell: Yeah, I guess some baddies just go hand in hand :)
@Carrie: I had never seen that before...very cool...thanks! :)
I do like his costume.
One thing that gets me about your posts - I never knew that superheroes got killed. So many lessons are learned here. Should be taught in school as part of history or philosophy class. At least a college elective. :) Writer’s Mark
@Nancy: Oh yeah, they get killed all the time...the trick is making them -stay- dead, lol. I'd take a college course about that, for sure! :)
The villains are never really gone...are they? Union Jack sounds like a pretty cool character.
Just one thing. His name. Is. Awesome.
;-)
Hi Mark .. well this introduced me to a few characters and resurrections over the 100 year period .. fun to read - and I'd have never have known - I guess one day it might stand me in good stead?! Cheers Hilary
An English superhero this time. That makes a change. America seems to be superhero central. it's interesting to see heroes from other countries too.
I am amazed at the variety of super heroes there are. I had no idea until your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Another interesting and obscure character... I never hear of this guy before. Then again, I haven't heard of MANY of your featured heroes LOL.
I am getting a good education in comic heroes through you Mark.
I loe finding out about all these heroes here. And I especially appreciate you covering some ladies. Thank you, my friend. :)
I liked him too for the same reasons you did. I like almost anything "British" you know... lol. I only read one or two comics with him in there but I liked his costume a lot.
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