The Union (Marvel) Explained

Team Name:The Union
Creators:(The Union)
(The Marvels)
Publisher:Marvel Comics
Debut:The Union #1
Members:
  • Kelpie
  • The Choir (Ruth)
  • Snakes
  • Bulldog
Debutyr:2020
Owners:
Debuthead:King in Black
Base:United Kingdom
Type:Superheroes
Team:y
Sortkey:The Union (comic)
Subcat:Marvel Comics
Debutmo:December
Organisation:y
Debut1:The Marvels #5
Debutmo1:September
Debutyr1:2021
Debuthead1:The Marvels
Fullroster:Current Roster

The Union is a fictional UK superhero team and comic book series published by Marvel.[1]

The Union team has both old and new superheroes within it, including British hero Union Jack and a major new character, Britannia, who leads the new team in its fight against the enemies they encounter.

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

Comic history

The Union (comic) was first released in December 2020 with the first issue of the comic The Union #1. 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.[3]

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

Team

Team publication history

The Union (team) first appeared in The Union #1 as part of the King in Black crossover event.[5] On 29 September 2021, The Union (team) featured in The Marvels #5 alongside other marvel superheroes.

Team Information

The Union

The Union was formed by the British Government as a publicity attempt to restore faith in Britain. The superhero team consists of four members representing the individual nations of the United Kingdom.[6]

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".

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.[7] [8]

(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
Kelpie
The Choir
Snakes
No of Members545465N/A4N/A

Deceased members

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.

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

Other series (team members featured)

SeriesIssue NoReleaseCreated byTypeMembers featuredCite
The Marvels #5 29 September 2021Kurt Busiek (writer)Yildiray Cinar (inker)

Richard Isanove (colourist)

Simon Bowland (letterer)

Yıldıray Çınar (penciler)

CameoAll[10]
Blood HuntUnion Jack the Ripper #1-3May 15, 2024Cavan ScottKev WalkerSpinoff [11] [12]

Britannia Project (Organisation)

Britannia Project
Owners:Steven Darwin
Team:The Union
Employees:The Union
Type:Superhero Organisation
Organisation:y
Creators:Paul Grist
Publisher:Marvel Comics
Sortkey:The Union
Base:United Kingdom
Debut:The Union #1
Subcat:Marvel Comics

Other Characters (Comic)

Allies

Enemies

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.[13] [14]

See also

External links

Notes and References

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