Warning: contains spoilers for Ultimate Invasion #3!The Ultimate Captain Britain’s origin has been exposed as a lie by his new and dark opposite. Central to the character’s mythos is the magical Amulet of Right, which functions as a test of purity, and thus worthiness to carry the mantle of Captain Britain. However, in Ultimate Invasion #3, readers meet the Captain Britain of the new Ultimate universe – who is revealed to be repugnant and vile.
Ultimate Invasion #3 – written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Bryan Hitch – unveils the Ultimate Universe's version of the Illuminati: the world's secret rulers, brought together by the Maker.
Among them is Henri Dugarry, the current wielder of the Amulet of Right, and the Sword of Might. He quickly proves neither pure, nor worthy, yet he still rules a large portion of the planet as this reality's Captain Britain.
Captain Britain Must Be Pure of Heart
In Ultimate Invasion #3, Howard Stark has been brought to a special meeting of the world’s ruling families, who manipulate world events, having been made the planet's rulers by the Maker, an evil version of Reed Richards. Somehow, in the new Ultimate universe, Captain Britain’s dark opposite has found a way around the Amulet of Right and Sword of Might, finding a way to harness their powers while not ing their tests. Emmanuel Da Costa, representing one of the Illuminati families, informs Howard that by possessing these two powerful objects,this incarnation of Captain Britain rules over the entire European Union.
The New Ultimate Captain Britain Should Not Have the Powers
In the Maker’s cadre, including the Hulk, acknowledge what they do may seem extreme, but Captain Britain seems to have no problem with the Maker's rule. Readers are right to question how a villainous Captain Britain could circumvent the Amulet of Right, which tests a person's worthiness to wield its power.
Captain Britain occupies a unique niche in the Marvel Universe. The first original character created by Marvel UK, there have been several incarnations of Captain Britain over the years, with Brian Braddock being the best known. Regardless of who holds the mantle, they must undergo a test beforehand – choosing either the Amulet of Right or the Sword of Might. Each object represents different values and ethics: the Amulet of Right represents reason, whereas the Sword stands for violence. Brian Braddock chose the Amulet when he became Captain Britain – denoting he was worthy and pure of heart. Henri possesses both the Amulet of Right and the Sword of Might.
This is odd in itself, as candidates for Captain Britain choose one or the other. How Henri was able to do this is not revealed in his appearance in Ultimate Invasion #3, though subsequent appearances may shed further light on how he is able to possess both objects, and why he is able to use the Amulet's power despite not being worthy, something never before seen in the history of the character. If Henri is not somehow manipulating the system, then another possibility exists: that Captain Britain is a lie, and the purity test is meaningless. Captain Britain’s dark opposite has revealed the character's serious flaws, ones bearing further exploration.
Ultimate Invasion #3 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!
