Review by Win Wiacek

There’s an old comics maxim usually applied to war comics which goes something like this: when it’s for Britain it’s “how we won the War”, and when it’s for America it’s “how He won the War”,  which although obnoxious and rather insulting does illustrate a signal difference in approach and reader expectation.

It’s apparent in this final collection of the excellent superhero espionage thriller featuring a hodge-podge of Marvel’s UK-based champions. Although Captain Britain is the named lead he is one of the least used characters in the ensemble show, regularly yielding focus to team-mates such as mutant spymaster Peter Wisdom, sometime Avenger Black Knight, WWII veteran (and vampire) Spitfire, spirit of Albion Dr. Faiza Hussain and spooky Blade the Vampire Slayer.

Continuing from the bombshell ending Hell Comes to Birmingham, the multiracial, multi-species, multi-purpose super-team are faced with utter Armageddon as Count Dracula attempts to turn Britain into a homeland for vampires, using all his arcane resources and Marvel’s Nosferatu back-catalogue to supplement his ranks. It’s a great read for all, but the added value for long-term fans – especially of those quirky Marvel UK creations – is immense as minor characters and forgotten folk literally litter every page.

Dark, shocking and completely compelling, this is the way all comics blockbusters should be handled: with wit and sensitivity to bolster the spectacle, and high concept body-count. The bulk of this book is Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk’s solid British war story utilising monsters and superheroes to superb collaborative effect. It’s complimented by two standalone shorter chapters drawn by Mike Collins and Adrian Alphona respectively, exploring the cast in quieter moments. At least that’s how they begin, with Cornell ambitiously bringing cricket to an American publication. It’s pure backs-to-the wall excitement and the perfect end to a hugely underrated series.