Comics
Published February 22, 2023

'Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain' Writer Tini Howard Brings the Braddocks Home

Tini Howard teases what Betsy Braddock, her brother Brian, and her girlfriend Rachel are up against in 'Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain.'

Following the war in Otherworld, Captain Britain has made a triumphant return home—but not everyone wants her back. In BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN, Betsy Braddock and her brothers Brian and Jamie have set up shop on Braddock Isle, while controversy swirls around Betsy's decision to take up the mantle. To make matters worse, a new conspiracy is brewing against her, and Reuben Brousseau is just one of the threats she'll have to face. Fortunately, she'll have her trusted girlfriend Rachel Summers, AKA Askani, at her side when the going gets really tough.

Speaking to Marvel.com, BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN writer Tini Howard previewed what's in store for the Braddocks, Rachel, and the Captain Britain Corps. She welcomed new readers into the fold, while sharing a few of her favorite throwbacks to her KNIGHTS OF X and EXCALIBUR. She also praised artist Vasco Georgiev's work, promised "more baggage" for Betsy, and much more.

MARVEL.COM: BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN #1 picks up from your KNIGHTS OF X run. What would you tell a new reader to catch them up for the new series' launch?

TINI HOWARD: This one's made for our new friends! If you're new to Captain Britain, or just a Captain Britain fan who hasn't kept up with the Krakoan X-Men era, come on in. Folks who enjoyed KNIGHTS OF X will be excited to see the aftereffects of the war in Otherworld, Captain Britain's emancipation from the Roma/Saturnyne/Merlyn triangle, and how they come into play here. You don't need that intel to enjoy this read, but it's moving under the surface in ways that we'll see affect the storyline.

MARVEL.COM: Which BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN character did you fall in love with right away, and which one really grew on you as you started working on the series?

TINI HOWARD: I always love writing the Braddocks and their extended family of friends and loved ones. Part of the joy of this book is getting to see them at home, see them together again. I wouldn't say they ever had to grow on me, but the members of S.T.R.I.K.E. have been really fun to write. For the first time, I'm getting space to play with their personalities and different approaches a bit, and that's been a lot of fun.

MARVEL.COM: The Braddocks are all living under one roof again. How has their dynamic changed since the last time they were together like this?

TINI HOWARD: Oh it's great—Rachel and Brian used to live together in the lighthouse during the Excalibur days, so her being back as his twin sister's girlfriend is just... really funny to me. Rachel always finds herself hanging out with Captain Britain.

All the siblings are living together, there's a computer in the basement again...it's a bit like old times. There's a great shot in the first issue Vasco drew that's just such Full House energy; I love it.

MARVEL.COM: Betsy and Rachel are official—and back in the Marvel Universe proper! How does the jump back to Earth-616 impact their relationship?

TINI HOWARD: They live together in England now! I don't know if they decided to do that officially. I think it was just a sleepover that never ended. Girls who like other girls...we do that sometimes. And now, Rachel, as Askani, has a powerful place in Captain Britain's life that allows her to work without being manipulated by another magical investor, as it were. It's love that lets the team-up happen. Good stuff.

MARVEL.COM: Reuben Brousseau is still up to no good, and he's got a powerful new ally with him this time. Just how worried should we be for the Captain Britain Corps?

TINI HOWARD: Reuben is just one of the powerbrokers looking to bring Betsy down, and we'll learn more about who is involved and why as the series continues and things escalate drastically. By issue #4, things are about as serious as they can get, so I'm excited for us to get there together.

MARVEL.COM: Tell me about working with Vasco Georgiev. What did he bring to the book that delighted and/or surprised you?

TINI HOWARD: It's my first time working with Vasco, and I love it. My time on Captain Britain has been blessed with just one incredible artist after another. Betsy fans are kind of spoiled by incredible artists these days, so it was a tall order, and Vasco delivers. From the way he captures Braddock Manor to the battle scenes to the embraces, Vasco brings such motion and intensity. I love working with him.

MARVEL.COM: We meet a few different Captain Britains in this issue. Aside from the original, of course, which one was your favorite and why?

TINI HOWARD: She doesn't show up in this issue specifically, but I really love the Violet Swan. She's Captain Britain but she's also a mean psychic bird. I guess Betsy's a "mean psychic bird" herself, so it works.

MARVEL.COM: What are you most excited for readers to see in BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN #1?

TINI HOWARD: Oh, for sure the rise of Captain Britain's role in the Marvel Multiverse, and also some of Betsy and Rachel's really good outfits and kisses.

MARVEL.COM: The Captain Britain mantle has a long, complex history (and maybe a little baggage). What do you hope BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN adds to that legacy?

TINI HOWARD: Oh, more baggage, certainly—emotionally and literally. She just moved back home; she needs all her outfits.

Don't miss Tini Howard and Vasco Georgiev's BETSY BRADDOCK: CAPTAIN BRITAIN #1, on sale now!

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