*Marvel UK: In 1976, Marvel UK’s attempt to broaden their readership by generating a new British hero, Captain Britain was the subject of much controversy, not least because he was created by two Americans (Chris Claremont & Herb Trimpe) whose interpretation of the UK’s manners and mores made the Austin Powers films look like documentaries. Be that as it may, the character endured to become a respected icon of the medium, and these early issues are now attracting keen collector attention, primarily because of early appearances by characters who have become, as the young people say, ‘hot’ in the media. This isn’t a complete run, but it’s most of the issues to #23, pre-format change, and it does feature the landmark first appearances – the good Captain himself, in #1 of course, plus his supernatural guardians Roma and Merlin; our hero’s psychic sister Betsy Braddock, later to become the X-Men’s Psylocke, in #8 and Lance Hunter, later better known as ‘Mr. Mockingbird’ from Marvels ‘Agents of SHIELD’ television series, in #19. #1 is FN/VF with Free Gift (Captain Britain Mask) in VF at £40; #2 is FN/VF with Free Gift (Captain Britain Boomerang) in VF at £30 and #8 (First Betsy Braddock, with puzzle page completed) FN at £100. Grades and prices on the others in the online listings, as always.