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Captain Britain continues to defy expectations. After its loose association of heroes managed to rise to the occasion and protect the country from the alien threat, most titles would take an issue or two to establish the status quo. Paul Cornell, however, is obvious intent on keeping the tempo up, with the expected character moments coming amidst an escalating feeling of panic as the next crisis starts to hit.

The Skrulls have been stopped, but Pete Wisdom finds himself in a race against time to ready M.I.13 for the threat he unleashed in the process. Unlike Mark Millar’s Ultimates, the book’s sheen of militarism is used to accentuate the humour in its more conventional super-hero elements. Wisdom’s “Go” button is wonderfully realised by Pat Olliffe, and the Black Knight’s cringe-inducing conversation with the Hussains is a highlight. That said, Cornell finds room for some more serious points here, particularly in the throwaway comment about the crusades. The writer never slips into soapbox territory, but does manage to show that he’s fully aware of the issues inherent in the situation. His latest creation initially looked in danger of being a box-ticking exercise, but the self-awareness Faiza shows here is endearing. The issue isn’t quite perfect, however. There’s an uncharacteristic stumble in the cliffhanger, as Blade swiftly gets to the point. The cover alone hints that the inherent conflict between the new arrival and Spitfire might easily spill over, and the last page is more a case of acknowledging the elephant in the room than the sudden shock Cornell clearly imagines it to be.

The feeling of freshness that has permeated the book continues here. One of the writer’s most inspired moves is refusing to give superfluous explanations for some of the lesser-known cast members. Everything you need to know about Union Jack to enjoy the issue is already present here, with Cornell wisely refusing to over-burden the reader with backstory. The overall impression is that the adventures of Marvel UK have been continuing for years, irrespective of where they were being dramatised in comic form. The book feels reminiscent of the Ultimate line in its heyday, as the reader constantly discovers new wonders and old friends. The same economy of exposition is demonstrated in respect of Captain Britain’s new powers, with only the bare bones of the mechanic laid out.

By keeping its initial momentum while expanding and retooling its cast, Captain Britain continues to be an essential purchase. Aside from Buffy’s Season Eight adventures, it’s difficult to think of an ongoing series of such consistent quality.