Union Jack is the name of three

fictional Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying character (arts), individuals, events, or setting (narrative), places that are imagination, imaginary or in ways that are imaginary. Fictional portrayals are thus inconsistent ...

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...

es appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. Created by

Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...

and

Frank Robbins Franklin Robbins (September 9, 1917 – November 28, 1994) was an American comic book and comic strip artist and writer, as well as a prominent painter whose work appeared in museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art, where one of his ...

, the first Union Jack (James Montgomery Falsworth) first appeared in '' Invaders'' #7 (July 1976). A second incarnation (Brian Falsworth) from the same creators appeared in ''The Invaders'' #21, and a third incarnation ( Joseph Chapman) was created by

Roger Stern Roger Stern (born September 17, 1950) is an American comic book author and novelist. Biography Early career In the early 1970s, Stern and Bob Layton published the fanzine ''CPL'' (''Contemporary Pictorial Literature''), one of the first platfo ...

and John Byrne for ''

Captain America Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...

'' Vol. 1 #254 (February 1981). Following ''The Invaders'', Union Jack has been featured as a regular character in the ongoing series ''Knights of Pendragon'', ''New Invaders'' and ''Invaders Now'', as well two self-titled mini-series. JJ Feild portrayed James Falsworth in the

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...

film '' Captain America: The First Avenger'' as a member of the Howling Commandoes.

Publication history

1970s publications

and

introduced the original Union Jack, James Montgomery Falsworth, as a retired country squire in '' The Invaders'' #7-9 (July–October 1976); in the story flashbacks show him in action in World War I as part of Freedom's Five and battling the original Baron Blood, later revealed to be his own brother, while in the present day his brief membership of the Invaders ends when he is invalided saving his daughter, Jacqueline Falsworth, from his vampiric brother. Thomas and Robbins concluded the plot-line in ''The Invaders'' #11 (December 1976); in the story his newly empowered daughter takes his place on the team as

Spitfire The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. It was the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the ...

. Thomas and Robbins continued to feature Lord Falsworth in a number of volumes, including #12 (January 1977), which sees him watching his daughter head off on her first mission with the team; #14-15 (March–April 1977), which sees him absconding with her and new hero Dyna-Mite and #18-19 (July–August 1977), which sees the three parachuting into Nazi Germany on a mission to restore the latter's memory; flashback reveals that Dyna-Mite is Roger Aubrey, the best friend of Lord Falsworth's son, and that the two had been imprisoned by the Nazis while on a peace mission to Berlin. Thomas and Robbins also first featured Lord Falsworth's son and successor Brian in his previous guise as the

Destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, maneuverable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy, or carrier battle group and defend them against a wide range of general threats. They were conceived i ...

in ''Invaders'' #18-19 (July–August 1977); in the story he explains how he received a variation of the super-soldier formula from a fellow inmate while in a Nazi prison. Thomas and Robbins concluded the plot-line in ''The Invaders'' #20-21 (September–October 1977); in the story Brian takes over his father's role of Union Jack to rescue his sister and the rest of the team while Lord Falsworth helps to steal a plane to get them home, and in ''Invaders'' #22 (November 1977); in which they are both safely returned to England. Thomas and Robbins also featured Brian in '' What If?'' #4 (August 1977); in the story he and Spitfire save

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, military officer, and writer who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 (Winston Churchill in the Second World War, ...

from a Nazi assassination attempt. Thomas and Robbins continued to feature both Falsworths in the series, with the younger becoming a semi-permanent member of the team with issues #23 (December 1977) & #25 (February 1978); in which he joins them on his first mission, while the older appeared in a supporting role in issue #23 (December 1977), in which he helps Dyna-Mite's search for a cure to his size reduction, and #26 (March 1978); in which he introduces Brian to the restored Aubrey in his role as the new Destroyer.

1980s publications

and John Byrne gave Lord Falsworth a contemporary appearance as an elderly country gentleman using a wheelchair for ''

'' Vol. 1 #253-254 (January–February 1981); in the story, which features the first appearances of his second successor Joey Chapman, he tries to put on his old costume to join

's final battle against his vampiric brother, Baron Blood, and dies of natural causes in the epilogue; the story also reveals that Brian Falsworth had died in a car crash in 1953.

1990s publications

Dan Slott Daniel "Dan" Slott (born July 3, 1967) is an American comic book writer, known for his work on Marvel Comics books such as ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', as well as ''The Superior Spider-Man'', ''She-Hulk'', ''Silver Surfer (comic book), Silver Surfe ...

and James W. Fry III featured Brian Falsworth in a World War II-era story for '' Midnight Sons Unlimited'' #9 (May 1995); in the story he teams up with the Blazing Skull to defend a fundraiser he is hosting from a Nazi attack.

2000s publications

Lord Falsworth appears as a supporting character in Fabian Nicieza and Lewis LaRosa's '' Citizen V and the V-Battalion: The Everlasting'' #1 (March 2002); the story begins with a flashback showing him at Brian Falsworth's funeral in 1953 and reveals he assisted the titular fictional secret organization run by his son's lover, Roger Aubrey.

2010s publications

Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel and Pepe Larraz featured the Brian Falsworth incarnation in the World War II flashback story ''Crossfire'' for the 70th Anniversary Issue ''Captain America'' #616 (May 2011); in the story Captain America and Union Jack defend a French town under Nazi siege.

2020s publications

Union Jack is a member of the British super team The Union created by Paul Grist and Andrea Di Vito.

Fictional character biography

James Montgomery Falsworth

A peer of the realm as Lord Falsworth, James Montgomery Falsworth is first active as the adventurer and

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

government operative Union Jack during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. During his adventures as a member of Freedom's Five, he encounters the mysterious Baron Blood, a vampire saboteur for the Germans. After the war, Lord Falsworth retires to his ancestral home in England to raise a family. He is active again as Union Jack during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. He becomes a member of the Invaders after the original

Human Torch The Human Torch (Jonathan Lowell Spencer "Johnny" Storm) is a fictional superhero character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a founding member of the Fantastic Four. He is writer Stan Lee's and ar ...

saves his daughter — Jacqueline Falsworth — from Baron Blood. Jacqueline is revived by a blood transfusion from the Human Torch which grants her the power of super-speed. As a result, she becomes the costumed hero

(a title she still holds in the 21st Century). After the attack, Lord Falsworth offers up his mansion as the Invaders' base of operations. After Baron Blood's attack on Jacqueline, James discovers the vampire is actually his brother, John. During a battle, Blood crushes Union Jack's legs under a boulder, effectively ending his career as a hero. Before the battle ends, James is able to impale Blood on a silver-veined stalagmite. Soon after, he quits the Invaders. Although unable to use his legs, James later travels with Spitfire and Dyna-Mite, parachuting into Nazi Germany. There they meet up with James' son, Brian, whom they were searching for. Falsworth and Dyna-Mite were captured by the Nazis, but are then rescued by Brian. Originally thinking his son a traitor, James learns that Brian fights against the Nazis as the costumed hero, the

. As a result, the two reconcile their differences and James passes the mantle of Union Jack on to Brian, at which point Brian abandons his Destroyer identity. However, the father outlives the son when Brian is killed''Captain America'' vol. 1 #254, February 1981 in an automobile accident in 1953. Years later, James Montgomery Falsworth contacts

to combat Baron Blood. Falsworth finally sees the end of Baron Blood with the help of Captain America and the third incarnation of Union Jack ( Joey Chapman). After this episode, James Montgomery Falsworth passes away from heart failure due to old age. He is seen again when Baron Zemo travels back in time, in '' Baron Zemo: Born Better'' #3.

Brian Falsworth

Brian Falsworth is the son of James Montgomery Falsworth, born like his father in Falsworth Manor in a village north of

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. Initially, Brian and his friend Roger are sympathetic toward

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

and supportive of peace between it and the United Kingdom. Toward the end of the 1930s, the pair go into Germany, but quickly discover the evil nature of the

Nazi Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...

regime. Brian is thrown in prison, and Roger is given to German scientists.''Invaders'' #19 Brian gains the peak of human potential through the help of a dying German scientist who tried to recreate the Super Soldier Formula that resulted in

. Brian escapes prison and becomes a costumed Nazi-fighter within Germany, calling himself the

. Meanwhile, Roger is used for experiments; he is brainwashed and his body reduced in size. Standing one foot tall but with the strength of a full-sized man, he is given the name '' Dyna-Mite''. With his memory gone, the Nazis unleash Dyna-Mite against the Allies, in a plot which involves the

Crusaders The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding ...

. In the wake of the foiled attack, Lord Falsworth and Spitfire deduce Dyna-Mite's identity and sneak into Germany to look for Brian. Ultimately, they find out the truth behind Dyna-Mite, and Roger's memory is restored. Brian, reuniting with his family and reconciling with his father, learns of his father's former costumed identity as Union Jack, dons the costume and battles Nazi soldiers and Master Man alongside

. Brian subsequently adopts the Union Jack identity as an adventurer and British government operative in place of his disabled father, joining the Invaders. Roger, in turn, takes on the mantle of the

after his normal size is restored. Later, Brian is hit by magical lightning when fighting

Thor Thor (from ) is a prominent list of thunder gods, god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred g ...

disguised as

Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Dzhugashvili; 5 March 1953) was a Soviet politician and revolutionary who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until Death and state funeral of Joseph Stalin, his death in 1953. He held power as General Secret ...

, whom Thor was tricked by Hitler into assassinating, and gains the ability to shoot electricity from his fingertips. Following the war, Brian remains active as Union Jack, and is instrumental in founding the V-Battalion alongside Roger Aubrey, who was revealed to be his lover in the 2002 series ''Citizen V and the V Battalion'', and other heroes of the era. A car crash on a British road in 1953 abruptly ended Brian Falsworth's career and his life.''Citizen V and the V Battalion'' (vol. 2) #1 (March 2002) In the

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

limited series '' Avengers/Invaders'', he is part of the World War II-era Invaders. His teammates are lost in time and battle the Avengers. In varying timestreams, Union Jack perishes again and again.

Joseph Chapman

Joseph "Joey" Chapman's Union Jack is unique in that he is not a member of the Falsworth line or part of any British aristocratic family. Rather, he was born in

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

, England, as the working class son of a shipbuilder. Chapman becomes Union Jack when, while visiting Falsworth Manor with his friend, Kenneth Crichton (nephew of Brian Falsworth and later Baron Blood III), he dons the costume to stand in for Kenneth and save the life of James Montgomery Falsworth, Lord Falsworth, who has been targeted by Baron Blood. For a time he fought crime on his own, serving as a hero for the common man as opposed to the aristocratic

Captain Britain Captain Britain is a title used by various superheroes in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Excalibur. The moniker was first used in publication by Brian Braddock in ''Captain Britain'' #1 by writer Chris Cl ...

. Their rivalry was most apparent when they both were chosen as Knights of Pendragon by the Green Knight of Avalon. Captain Britain did not remain a Pendragon for long, but Union Jack stuck with the new team until it broke up when half the team traveled to a parallel world to offer humanitarian aid. During his time with the ''KoP'', Union Jack's physique increased to near Hulk-like proportions and he went through a series of alternate costumes. After the ''Knights of Pendragon'' break up and his enhanced musculature returns to normal, he reverts to the classic uniform and returns to fighting crime solo. He also faces a vampire cult led by a vampire who had been created by the original Baron Blood. Chapman later wears an updated, militaristic costume, and joins the New Invaders, led by Jim Hammond, the original

. For a time, Chapman became romantically involved with his New Invaders teammate,

(Kenneth's mother). They have since resolved to be friends, and he remains active in the UK's espionage community.

Powers and abilities

James Montgomery Falsworth was an athletic man who possessed no superhuman powers. However, he was trained in the field of espionage, a veteran of two world wars, and highly trained in armed and unarmed combat. He wore a bullet-proof costume and carried a 6-inch dagger and a Webley .455 revolver, both of which he used with great skill. Falsworth began using a wheelchair in 1942 and was debilitated by extreme old age at the time of his death. During his initial career as the second Union Jack, Brian Falsworth possessed no superhuman powers. He was a superbly athletic man, but, having been exposed to a variant of the Super Soldier Formula, was enhanced to the peak of human potential, and was highly trained in armed and unarmed combat. Like his father, he wore bulletproof fabric and primarily used a Webley .455 revolver and a 6-inch dagger. After an encounter with

later in his career, he gained the ability to discharge bolts of mystic lightning from his fingertips after his body was energized by a lightning strike. Like those who held the title of Union Jack before him, Joey Chapman is an athlete in peak physical condition. In addition, his strength, speed, and stamina are enhanced by the Power of the Pendragon. Chapman usually carries a handgun of some variety (changing it as appropriate to the mission) and a silver-edged dagger used for supernatural foes.

Other versions

On Earth 4904, Brian Falsworth exists as Byron Falsworth / Major Commonwealth, a Captain Britain Corps member who appeared in ''Mighty World Of Marvel'' (vol. 2) #13.''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'' (vol. #8 (May 2008)

In other media

Film

James Montgomery Falsworth appears in '' Captain America: The First Avenger'' (2011), portrayed by JJ Feild. This version is one of several POW's who were held at a HYDRA factory before they are liberated by

and subsequently join his

Howling Commandos The Howling Commandos is the name of several fictional groups appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team also appears in the franchises developed for other media. Fictional team history Original Incarnation (1963) T ...

Video games

* James Montgomery Falsworth appears in '' Captain America: Super Soldier'', voiced by JJ Feild. * The James Falsworth incarnation of Union Jack appears as a playable character in '' Marvel: Avengers Alliance''. * The James Falsworth incarnation of Union Jack appears as a playable character in '' Lego Marvel Super Heroes''. * The James Falsworth incarnation of Union Jack appears as a playable character in '' Lego Marvel's Avengers''. * The Brian Falsworth incarnation of Union Jack appears as a playable character in '' Marvel Avengers Academy''.

Collected editions

Union Jack's major appearances have been collected in a number of trade paperbacks: *'' Invaders Classic'' (written by

, with pencils by

and inks by Vince Colletta/ Frank Springer): **''Volume 1'' (includes ''Invaders'' #7-9, July - October 1976, tpb, 248 pages, July 2007, ) **''Volume 2'' (includes ''Invaders'' #10-21, November 1976 - October 1977, tpb, 240 pages, July 2008, ) **''Volume 3'' (collects ''Invaders'' #22-23 and #25-34, 224 pages, February 2009, ) *''

: War and Remembrance'' (by John Byrne and

, with pencils by John Byrne and inks by

Josef Rubinstein Josef "Joe" Rubinstein (born 4 June 1958) is a comic book artist and inker, most associated with inking Marvel Comics' ''The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' and the 1982 four-issue ''Wolverine (comic book), Wolverine'' miniseries by Chr ...

, tpb includes ''Captain America'' #253-254, 1981, 208 pages, July 2007, ) *''Union Jack'' (written by John Cassaday and Ben Raab, with art by John Cassaday, three-issue miniseries, December 1998 - February 1999, tpb, 96 pages, April 2002, ) *'' New Invaders: To End All Wars'' (written by Allan Jacobsen, with art by Jorge Lucas and C. P. Smith, tpb collects ''New Invaders'' #1-9, October 2004 - June 2005, 216 pages, July 2005, ) *''Captain America: Red Menace Volume 2'' (written by

Ed Brubaker Ed Brubaker (; born November 17, 1966) is an American comic book writer, cartoonist and screenwriter who works primarily in the crime fiction genre. He began his career with the semi-autobiographical series '' Lowlife'' and a number of serials i ...

with art by

Steve Epting Stephen "Steve" Epting is an Americans, American comics artist. He is best known for his work on ''The Avengers (comic book), The Avengers'' and ''Captain America (comic book), Captain America'' for Marvel Comics. Early life Epting's influences ...

, tpb collects ''Captain America'' #18-21, July - October 2006, 104 pages, December 2006, ) *''Union Jack: London Falling'' (written by

Christos Gage Christos N. Gage is an American screenwriter and comic book writer. He is known for his work on the TV series ''Daredevil (TV series), Daredevil'', ''Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series), Hawaii Five-0'', ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', ''Numbers ...

, with pencils by Mike Perkins and inks by Drew Hennessy, four-issue miniseries, November 2006 - February 2007, tpb, 96 pages, July 2007, ) *''Avengers/Invaders'' (collects ''Avengers/Invaders'' #1-4, hardcover, 96 pages, September 2009, )

References

External links

Marvel.com Montgomery FalsworthMarvel.com Brian Falsworth
at the International Heroes Catalogue

at the International Heroes Catalogue

at the International Heroes Catalogue {{DEFAULTSORT:Union Jack British superheroes Characters created by Frank Robbins Characters created by Roy Thomas Comics characters introduced in 1976 Fictional British Army personnel Fictional gay men Fictional gunfighters in comics Fictional lords and ladies Fictional World War I veterans Fictional World War II veterans Fictional vampire hunters Gay superheroes Marvel Comics LGBTQ superheroes Marvel Comics male superheroes Marvel Comics military personnel Marvel Comics superheroes United Kingdom-themed superheroes