Potential spoilers for The Union #5 ahead!
The Union, Marvel’s new British superhero team, has learned the truth of their existence in a sneak preview for The Union #5. Written by Paul Grist, with pencils by Andrea Di Vito, inks by Le Beau Underwood, colors by Nolan Woodard, and letters by Travis Lanham, the issue will be available in print and digital May 5.
The Union was the dream of Britannia, who wished to bring together superpowered representatives from each of the countries comprising the United Kingdom (Britain, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland) to fight for “Queen and Country.” Financed by billionaire Steve Darwin, she was successful in creating a team but did not live to see her dream flourish, as she was killed on their first mission. Leadership duties then fell to Union Jack. In the previous issue, a team of criminals headed by Doc Croc attacked the Tower of London seeking the Empire Stone, which gives its owner great power. Croc and his associates fought their way to the Stone, and just as Croc was going in to grab it, Darwin arrived on the scene and claimed the Stone for himself. Now, in The Union #5, readers learn the shocking truth behind Darwin the Union’s existence.
The preview opens with Darwin, super-charged by the Stone, floating above Croc and his crew. Darwin reveals that he funded “Britannia’s project” - the Union - just to gain access to the Tower of London. It had been Darwin’s intention all along to gain the Stone, and when Doc Croc attacked the Tower, it sped the process up by giving Darwin a literal opening to walk in and take it. Marvel recently released some preview pages for The Union #5:
The preview ends with Doc Croc at the mercy of Darwin, so readers must wait until the issue drops to find out what happens to them, as well as how the Union will react to this revelation. While Union Jack, Snakes, and the rest of the team may be shocked to learn this, it has been clear from the beginning the team was being manipulated. Selwyn James, the British MP associated with superheroes, forced Union Jack into leading the team once Britannia died. This was just one example of many, and now the pieces are falling into place The team has been pawns from day one, all so one of their backers could take ultimate power for himself. It will now be on the Union to stop Darwin, but will they be powerful enough to do so? The team has been fairly dysfunctional so far, so the battle against Darwin will not be an easy one.
The Union is heading to its conclusion next month, and it should be an interesting conclusion now that they've manipulated from their first mission by someone they thought they could trust.