Captain Britain

Contributed by Zach City: Beaverton,Oregon

Real name: Brian Braddock

History: Brian Braddock was a student assistant at the Darkmoor Research Centre when the criminal Reaver attacked the facility to steal its secrets. Attempting to escape, Braddock ran his motorcycle off a cliff and lay near death. In a vision, Merlin the Magician and the Goddess of the Northern Skies appeared to him and let him choose one of the mystic objects before him: the Amulet of Right or the Sword of Might. Braddock chose the amulet and was bombarded with mystical energy that gave him superhuman strength and stamina. The patron spirits decreed that Braddock would be Britain's champion, and gifted him with a mystic star-scepter to enhance his fighting skills. Eventually, Braddock stepped down from the role allowing his twin sister, Betsy, to take up the mantle. But Betsy was unprepared to serve as Captain Britain, and lost her eyes in a battle with Slaymaster. Braddock heard his twin's pain through her telepathy and the special bond they share, and rushed back to fight Slaymaster -- whom he killed. Resuming his career as Captain Britain, Braddock joined with the shapeshifter Meggan, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Phoenix II to form Excalibur -- England's premier team of heroes.