Entertainment

Nice Job America, Marvel's Best-Selling U.S. Avenger Is British

by Matt Kim
Marvel Comics, Paco Medina

Wow, way to go, America. Marvel Comics recently revealed a slate of variant covers for the upcoming U.S. Avengers #1 where popular Marvel heroes would represent a state in the union. For instance, there is a cover where Iron Man is featured alongside the great state of California. Unfortunately, the world decided to award the most pre-orders to Captain Britain, “Avenger of the United Kingdom.” George Washington is turning over in his grave.

U.S. Avengers is a new, government-sponsored Avengers team led by the mutant Roberto da Costa, aka Sunspot. Da Costa currently runs A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics, renamed American Idea Mechanics) the reformed villainous enterprise that was seen in Iron Man 3. His U.S.-themed team also includes such American heroes as Cannonball, Squirrel Girl, Red Hulk, Pod, Danielle Cage (as Captain America), and Dr. Toni Ho as the new Iron Patriot.

Considering the level of U.S.A. featured in this series, it begs the question how Captain Britain became the most popular cover to purchase. Look at him!

Captain Britain

Marvel Comics, Paco Medina

What an afront, and ironic twist that a book promoting wholesome American values like high-tech war machines and unbeatable Squirrel Girls, that we have this guy — whose real name is Brian Braddock — besmirching the very concept of patriotism.

Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie, and pre-orders for the Captain Britain variant cover are well above the second place cover of Texas (with yet unannounced hero) and with Canada (Why?!) in third place. Rounding out the top five is Luke Cage and New York for fourth place, and Iron Man at fifth.

As upsetting as this is, U.S. Avengers still has Squirrel Girl on its team, so there’s always a silver lining.

U.S. Avengers #1 hits comic book stores and digital retailers January 4, 2017.

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