Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #5 - Review/Spoilers

[JB]

It's with a heavy heart that I post this recap of the final issue of the series, which I've enjoyed greatly. But the possibilities for where Betsy, Rachel, and the Braddocks go next are endless.

We open outside Braddock Manor, Faiza Hussain running towards the front door trying to avoid getting soaked from the pouring rain. Military choppers and soldiers continue to patrol outside. Betsy escorts her to the dining table where STRIKE is meeting, half empty Chinese food containers and tea cups off to the side. Wisdom and Alison have just caught the team up, telling them Morgan Le Fay has Micromax. Betsy tells Faiza that she was asked to attend the meeting because they need her help. Faiza is honored but surprised. Betsy says that she wields Excalibur, the most sacred artifact of the land. It is the spirit of Britain and it responds to Faiza alone because she is the precious link to the land.



(Tom Lennox is so hot). I like that Alison has been handling reconnaissance. She explains to the team that Morgan had a greenhouse set up as soon as her house landed last issue, a place to grow most of her poisons. It's not connected to the main property though and lacks security. As she talks about cutting into the greenhouse to quietly break in we see STRIKE doing just that. She warns everyone to be careful as Coven Akkaba is utilizing Blightswill from Otherworld. Betsy says she'll come in from above as STRIKE makes their moves within. She suspects the castle isn't heavily guarded and confirms that Doom is in Latveria. They need to be careful because if authorities find out about their break-in they risk jail or worse. And if Doom finds out, potential war. We get a quick data page going over the STRIKE roster with Wisdom marked as "added" and Betsy as "reactivated." (Nice to see "sleight of hand" listed as one of Kevin's skills, referencing his magic show from his first appearance.)

We now get the preview pages with Brian/Captain Avalon standing over a beaten but slowly regenerating CB Fury in Jamie's pocket dimension. With the Fury being a hivemind it's hard to pinpoint which was the one Brian faced in the Marvel UK books so Brian intended to show them mercy. But since this one came to his country to threaten him and his family he wants to put it down for good. Rachel appears above him in the sky and says the Fury needs to stay alive as she's being told by the Sacred Timeline. She's still studying what the ST is and following the Askani senses it grants her. She doesn't know why but she's being pulled to take the Fury to a specific place. Brian says he'll escort Rachel and knows Meggan will insist on joining them. They return to the manor and sure enough Meggan does insist, saying Jamie can babysit Maggie.

Rachel joins the meeting as Vicki lays out the operation in Morgan's castle. As she's presenting the plan we see it in action, the STRIKE team dressed in head to toe black spy gear: Tom surveys the castle for Morgan's minions sending their locations to the others so they can be taken out quietly. Kevin finds Micromax and puts him (still in the jar) in his bag. Wisdom and Alison are briefly spotted by three Coven members but Wisdom gives them a proper beatdown, channeling his anger from when they murdered him in Excalibur. One of them is wearing Brousseau's Blightswill ring so Wisdom simply chops the guy's finger off. It's a great scene for Wisdom to finally get some payback. Alison tries to settle him down so that his actions don't alert Morgan and the other goons, and Betsy, floating above the castle with Rachel, can "hear" the commotion as well. She tells Rachel she'll need to hurry with her part of the plan. Betsy promises to watch their awful shows with their awful dog when they get home later lol.

Rachel literally opens a portal and heads off. I love this upgrade to her powers! And then we get Betsy's little psychic butterflies signals! Oh I'll just show you.





Love the Dai Thomas shout-out. Betsy bursts through the window and attempts to quickly take over the minds of the two goons but it doesn't work! They're protected by two large Blightswill collars they're holding which they immediately slap around Betsy's neck and body. Morgan Le Fay enters the room, smiling. "Aren't you ashamed? For all your talk of mutants caring for humans, you've now gone and brought on a war because you've chosen your grudges over the safety of the people of Britain. I knew you would." Betsy tells her that any war is on Morgan's hands, that she doesn't have to pull the trigger and tell Doom. Morgan says any minute now Doombots will be mobilized by the thousands and head westward. Betsy says if she truly cares for Britain she won't start this war, a war that will make craters of the land, irradiating the land. Morgan doesn't care and Betsy screams in pain as Morgan magically attacks her. Morgan moves close to Betsy, face to face, and asks if Betsy has any final words. Betsy reminds Morgan of her promise to the Fury of war and how she didn't deliver it to them. That they're still hungry for it.

We cut to the Infuri realm of Otherworld. Rachel is carrying the CB Fury then dumps it in front of the Forgemaster Federal, leader of the Fury. She's flanked by Brian and Meggan and says they have an offer. Rachel: "You were promised a war that might not happen. But I understand you aren't exactly picky as long as there's something big and super-powered for you to hunt?"

We cut back to Morgan telling Betsy she should have made her kneel or put her down like a dog the first time they met. She informs Betsy that Doom has launched his forces but Betsy cuts her off as we see the Fury army intercepting the legion of Doombots and destroying them. Askani's senses and direction from the sacred timeline just prevented a major war!

Betsy: My Askani went to offer the Furies that war they wanted. And your Blightswill can suppress my psychic powers...

[JB]

Incredible. As another reader perfectly put it, as a healer it makes sense that Faiza "healed the primordial British mother goddess's connection to the land and helped burn away the jaded anger that had turned her bitter." War was avoided and Morgan is feeling a sense of peace she hasn't felt in a long time.

We cut to the final scene. It's a beautiful day as we're on the front lawn of Braddock Manor, now called Braddock Academy again. An Interest Fair is being held for parents and students to learn about the school. Betsy is wearing a pretty dress and hat. She's on the phone with Tony Stark and tells him that any information the Furies give her about the Doombots' capabilities she'll share with the Avengers. He asks about Morgan and she tells him she's healing, that being linked to the land will be good for her and the land. We get two quick panels of Morgan sitting peacefully at home, although one never knows with her so we'll see.

[JB]

The issue ends with a final data page. A letter from Betsy to the Corps.



A full circle journey of growth for Betsy as shown in that letter. I must tip my hat to her 4-year run, one of the longest in this Krakoan era. Comfortable in her body again, comfortable in her skin, comfortable in her role at multiversal protector. Where she goes from here is unknown but options abound: Leader of the Captain Britain Corps, X-Man, STRIKE leader/spy, Avenger, teacher at the academy. Sky's the limit and an entire world has been built around her. I'm so happy for her.

Interesting mention of :-|A|-: in the letter as the Genesis War looms. As if telling us there's hope he will continue to be the mutant Betsy describes above when he returns. And while Morgan Le Fay has been taken care of, Coven Akkaba is very much intact and using their Blightswill. Perhaps we'll see Betsy again soon as they make moves in X-Men Red.

[Celestialbodies]

I hope Ewing takes this cast and folds them over into Red.

[JB]

I hope Ewing takes this cast and folds them over into Red.

I’m hoping the same, at least while Coven is involved with Genesis. Perfect setting for them to show up.

[CGAR]

Staying positive here. All in all TH has been consistent and its cool that she was given the time to complete her story.

But I am SO excited to see what another writer can do with this setup.

I hope Betsy is not in limbo for long.

[Daedra]

Great Review JB, your recaps are always the best and most accurate, I have to say that the open ended finale of Betsy adventures as Captain Britain leaves me hopeful some other writer will come to take charge of these awesome characters, Tini is leaving things on a positive note, Betsy and Rachel have gotten so far in these last 2 years, I’m especially fond of these 2, they will make great addictions to whatever title they join next and a great Hurrah for the reopening of the Braddock Academy, now that the main x-books have abandoned the theme of a school for gifted youngsters I’m more than happy to see Brian pick up the slack and offer us a new perspective on the endeavor.

[JB]

Staying positive here. All in all TH has been consistent and its cool that she was given the time to complete her story.

But I am SO excited to see what another writer can do with this setup.

I hope Betsy is not in limbo for long.

I'm excited too! My hope for the end of any run is that things are left wide open enough for lots of options and possibilities, and this ending has that.

Great Review JB, your recaps are always the best and most accurate, I have to say that the open ended finale of Betsy adventures as Captain Britain leaves me hopeful some other writer will come to take charge of these awesome characters, Tini is leaving things on a positive note, Betsy and Rachel have gotten so far in these last 2 years, I’m especially fond of these 2, they will make great addictions to whatever title they join next and a great Hurrah for the reopening of the Braddock Academy, now that the main x-books have abandoned the theme of a school for gifted youngsters I’m more than happy to see Brian pick up the slack and offer us a new perspective on the endeavor.

I couldn't agree with you more, especially about the Braddock Academy. It hasn't been properly utilized so hopefully someone picks up that baton and really develops it. I'm very happy about the positive ending also, especially with the darkness of Fall of X looming overhead.

[crimsontt]

What a relief this cringey era is over.

So much potential waisted with such poor writing.

I must confess despite poor execution, this era had set many devices for great stories opportunities in the future. I hope it doesn’t get scrapped.

Otherworld vassal kingdoms, specially the crooked market, blightspoke and mercator…
The return of Strike with Pete Wisdom in charge
The Braddocks once again living under the same roof
The corps as free agents
Rachel resuming her Askani loose threads
Betsy and Tony
Apocalypse and Betsy
Betsy and Doom

[Nicoclaws]

Did they forgive Jamie's betrayal ? Or did I misread that from last issue's review ?

[Cyclone_Ablaze]

I hope Ewing takes this cast and folds them over into Red.

I rather he doesn't. Red's Big enough already.

[Devaishwarya]

Finally! Bare feet is a vast improvement to those gawdfuckingawful ballet flats.

[JB]

Did they forgive Jamie's betrayal ? Or did I misread that from last issue's review ?

In his own warped way he thought he was doing the right thing and in the end having Morgan nearby worked in their favor. So it seems they're letting it slide lol

Finally! Bare feet is a vast improvement to those gawdfuckingawful ballet flats.

I knew you wouldn't disappoint with noticing the bare feet!

[CGAR]

Everyone knows it is my hearts desire to have Ewing control the Braddock story moving forward but I feel like he is juggling so much in X-Men Red.

If he had a seperate mini with them that woul be fantastic.

What I do think will happen is that Apoc (if he's on the good side) will have the Braddock's on his side. Hopefully not as pawns.

[JB]

Betsy mentioning -|A|- in her letter was very unexpected and def felt intentional. Her inclusion in Red, even if minor, makes a lot of sense especially if they bring Saturnyne back out regarding the Annihilation staff.