Origin
Joseph Chapman was a studying at art school when he met Kenneth Crichton and discovered Crichton’s great grandfather Montgomery Falsworth and his uncle Brian Falsworth had both been the war-time hero Union Jack. Also learning that Crichton’s granduncle was the vampire Baron Blood who was returning to plague the United Kingdom, Chapman became the new Union Jack to aid Captain America in battling the vampire menace. Following the defeat of Baron Blood, Chapman continued to operate as Union Jack with the blessing of Captain America and the rightful successor to the mantle Kenneth.
Creation
Union Jack was created by Roger Stern and John Byrne and first appeared in Captain America #253.
Character Evolution
Union Jack has made sporadic appearances throughout the years since his debut, most often seen battling against Britain’s vampires. During the heydey of Marvel’s U.K. imprint, Union Jack appeared in Knights of Pendragon as a member of the eponymous team and also adopted several different costumes during this time. Following the dissolution of Marvel’s U.K. line, Union Jack has twice received in his own solo series, the first in 1998 and a second in 2006.
Major Story Arcs
The Contest
Union Jack was one of the hundreds of superheroes who were abducted by the Grandmaster to take part in his contest with Death. Union Jack wasn’t chosen as one of their champions however.
The Rise of The New Baron
After discovering he had a blood disorder which was weakening him, Kenneth began to resent Chapman for having stole the Union Jack legacy from him. Approached by the vampire Baroness Blood with the promise of eternal life and rejuvenation, Crichton accepted the offer and became a vampire and adopted his granduncle’s Baron Blood identity.
Battling vampires frequently in London, Union Jack soon discovered they sought the Holy Grail which would allow them to endure sunlight. Despite his best efforts, Union Jack wasn’t able to stop the vampires from attaining the Grail but in the end Baroness Blood betrayed her army of vampires, and even Crichton, by only allowing herself to drink from it. Crichton perished as the sun rose, as did the rest of Baroness Blood’s army, as Union Jack swore to his twice dead friend that he would hunt down Baroness Blood and exact vengeance.
Once an Invader
When the World War II-era hero Thin Man formed a modern incarnation of the Invaders to battle terror threats, Union Jack was recruited for the team alongside Spitfire.
Powers and Abilities
Union Jack is an exceptional hand-to-hand combatant and a skilled athlete. He wields a Webley .455 pistol, a steel dagger and his costume is bullet-proof.
As one of the Knights of Pendragon, Union Jack’s strength was mystically heightened to superhuman levels (roughly 5 ton carrying capacity). His endurance and durability were also significantly heightened, and he now has an accelerated healing factor.
In Other Media
Merchandise
- A 10-inch Union Jack figure was featured in ToyBiz’s Marvel Universe line.
- Union Jack appeared in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line as part of the Walmart-exclusive Red Hulk Build-a-Figure wave.
- Bowen Designs released a Union Jack bust.
- Eaglemoss Collectibles included Union Jack in their Classic Marvel Figurine Collection.
- Union Jack was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
- Union Jack was featured in Diamond Collectibles’ Minimates line as part of a two-pack with Wonder Man.
- Union Jack also appeared in Hasbro’s Marvel Universe line.