The Union (Marvel)

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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)Britannia (Tanya)
Union Jack
Kelpie
The Choir (Ruth)
Snakes
Bulldog
Roster
See: Current Roster

The Union is a UK superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel comics. [1]

Contents

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]

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 released as a part of the "Empyre" event, but was moved and rewritten to fit into the "King in Black" event due to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] [b]

The Union (comics)

King in Black
Issue NoReleasePublisherCreated by
1December 2, 2020MarvelPaul Grist (writer)

Andrea Di Vito (illustrator)

2January 13, 2021
3February 24, 2021
4March 31, 2021
5May 5, 2021
Special releases
NameReleaseISBNPublisherCreated byTypeCitation
The Union: The Britannia ProjectJuly 7, 2021 ISBN   9781302938680 Marvel Paul Grist (writer)

Andrea Di Vito (illustrator)

Trade Paper Back (TPB) [5]

Team Publication History

On December 2, 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] [c]

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]

Fictional team history

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 Knull, Doc Croc, Sponge, assorted 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

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. [14] [15] Current member are indicated in bold. Leaders are highlighted in gold

Current Roster

The Union
Team MemberThe Union (Comic)The MarvelsUnion Jack: Blood Hunt
123455123
Union JackYesYesYesYesYesYesNo [d] No
KelpieYesYesYesYesYesYesNo [e] No
The ChoirYesYesYesNo [f] YesYesNoNoNo
SnakesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
No of Members545465N/A2 [g] N/A

Deceased members

Team MemberThe Union (Comic)The MarvelsUnion Jack: Blood Hunt
123455123
BritanniaYesNoNoNo [h] NoNo [i] No
BulldogNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYes [j] No [k]

Supporting characters

Allies

Enemies

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. [19] [20]

See also

Notes

  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. This was part of a 5 issue mini series
  3. Cameo appearance only in flashbacks
  4. appears as cameo
  5. appears as cameo
  6. see other characters (Enemies) section
  7. See deceased members that feature as cameos in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
  8. but in The Union #5 he is eventually stopped through the combined efforts of Union Jack and the spirit of Britannia.
  9. appears as a cameo
  10. Bulldog is turning into a vampire in Union Jack: Blood Hunt #2
  11. see other characters (Enemies) section

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. "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 - Blood Ties (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  12. King, Samantha (2021-03-29). "Marvel's The Union Introduces New British Supervillains". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  13. Wood, Robert (2021-02-21). "Marvel's Newest Team Have a Brand New Member... Who They Don't Want". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  14. Isaak, Joshua (May 16, 2021). "Marvel Reveals a Horrifying to Alternative To Infinity Stones". Screen Rant .
  15. Corley, Shaun (May 14, 2021). "Marvel's British Wolverine Just Endured a Humiliating Fastball Special". Screen Rant .
  16. "The Union #1". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  17. King, Samantha (2021-03-29). "Marvel's The Union Introduces New British Supervillains". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  18. "Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt #2 Reviews". League of Comic Geeks. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  19. Jones, Branwen (February 24, 2020). "Marvel unveils its Welsh superhero - and some fans think it's 'humiliating". Daily Post .
  20. Hay, Katherine (February 20, 2020). "This is a big mistake': Scots react as Marvel launch new UK superhero team called The Union". Edinburgh News .