There were rumors circulating internet circles a few weeks back that Brian Braddock, also known as Captain Britain, may be making an appearance in the next MCU Spider-man film. While nothing has as yet been officially confirmed -or denied- the rumor itself may have been enough to push up the prices on Captain Britain’s key appearances.

Captain Britain, for those who don’t know, was the aristocratic hero of the British Isles and a patriotic champion who fought for justice across the Atlantic. He is basically a British version of Captain America and one of the best known British super-heroes in the Marvel Universe.

Originally, Brian Braddock was a physics student who suffered a motorcycle accident. While bleeding to death he was approached by a mysterious pair of characters. Merlin, an extradimensional being and a resident of a place called the 'Otherworld', and his daughter Roma. The pair offered Braddock a choice: he could die or take up either the 'Amulet of Right' or the 'Sword of Might'. Brian chose the former and it transformed him into Captain Britain.

As Captain Britain, Braddock possessed super-strength, enhanced reflexes, stamina and the ability to generate an energy field that protected him from physical injury. Originally, his super powers were gained from an extra-dimensional source in the Otherworld, said to be connected to our dimension through a portal located somewhere in the United Kingdom. This meant that, the farther away he was from the British Isles, the weaker his powers became. Early on, Braddock also wore the above mentioned 'Amulet of Right' around his neck and was able to fly by using a special scepter. Later, after he acquires a new uniform, his powers are amplified by the Union Jack decorated super-suit he wears.

Some fun facts: Braddock’s father, Lord James Braddock, was the inventor of the 'Mastermind' computer. That invention ended up killing both him and his wife (Lady Elizabeth Braddock). Braddock has an older brother, James, and has a twin sister Betsy the latter of whom is better known as the mutant Psylocke of the Uncanny X-Men. Captain Britain’s first preview appearance was actually in Foom (Friends of Ol’ Marvel) Magazine #15 (cover date: September 1976), and the same magazine contained a preview appearance of Ms. Marvel.

Captain Britain #1 (October 1976) – First Full Appearance of Captain Britain

This comic features the first full appearance of Captain Britain and it also came with a free Captain Britain mask! The comic introduces his enemy the Reaver and his henchmen and revealed, in flashback scenes, how Braddock became Captain Britain. Strongest returns over the last four years on this British comic are on 9.8 copies at 59.5%. However, at a market value of $1,750.00 you’re probably better off aiming for a 9.6 (honestly, can anyone really tell the difference between 9.8 and a decent 9.6?) which is less than half that price and has also shown decent returns of 9.9% over the same time-span.

Marvel Team Up # 65 (January 1978) – Captain Britain’s Marvel Debut, first appearance of Arcade

This issue of Marvel Team Up, penned by Chris Claremont, features Brian Braddock’s first trip to America. Brian wins a scholarship and is given accommodations at Empire State University, where he just happens to wind up roommates with a certain Peter Parker. X-Men villain Arcade also makes his first appearance in this comic and that makes it worth seeking out. This comic is on the move showing best returns on 8.5 grades at 45.4%. At that grade this comic is also still quite affordable selling for around $60.00.

Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn (April 1988) – First Excalibur led by Captain Britain

In what I consider to be one of the best Uncanny X-Men spin off titles, Brian Braddock leads a team of UK based mutants who call themselves 'Excalibur'. The original line up of Excalibur was composed of Captain Britain leading the team of Night Crawler, Kitty Pride, Meggan and Rachel Summers (daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey). The series was notable for both its humor and inventiveness. We’ve already seen comics like the first appearance of X-Factor and New Mutants pick up in value over the last few years, is Excalibur next? Since this comic is currently dollar bin fodder, it can really only go up in value. When you look for copies of this as investments, the first printing is anything with a $3.25 price tag. That’s the one to get, beaten only by the scarcer, no price shown edition. Anything above $3.25 in price is a later printing.

With that, I'm off on my summer vacation starting tomorrow. Postings will be sporadic for the next week or so. See you later comic book lovers!