In 1972, Marvel comics sought to replicate its success found on home soil in the UK. It did this by setting up Marvel UK, a branch of the company that would reprint American comics for the UK audience. It would run until 1995 before it was closed for financial reasons.
It did so much more than just reprinting fan-favorite comics in its run. It had its own superheroes, and titles were wildly experimental. It extended several toy franchisees' lives and became an outlet for a canceled cult science fiction shows. Many of its creations would even go on to the mainstream Marvel continuity when their own books closed.
10 Captain Britain
One Marvel UK creation with one of the more lasting legacies is Captain Britain. He was created as an original character for the UK market, starring in his own weekly comic. Unlike many Marvel UK comics of the time, it was produced in full color. Oddly, it would be created in the US by British creator Chris Claremont.
The comic would come bundled with reprints of the Fantastic Four and Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. It followed Brian Braddock's adventures, who could transform into Captain Britain using the Amulet of Right. Although the title would be canceled after 39 issues, the character would become an integral part of the Marvel universe.
9 The Daredevils
The Daredevils was an anthology comic produced by Marvel UK. The pantheon of the many anthologies produced by the company is notable for targeting a more mature audience. As well as reprints of Spiderman issues, it reprinted the noir tales of Frank Miller's Daredevil run.
This was backed up by revamped tales of Captain Britain by Alan Moore and Alan Davis. Their work would be a seminal run. It turned the Captain into a cross-dimensional time traveler in Doctor Who's style. Strangely, the comic would also contain text-based stories sandwiched between the comic issues.
8 Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who Magazine is the world's longest-running magazine based on a TV show. All of this started at Marvel UK. It would turn from a comic-based publication for children to a mature magazine for long-term fans over its long tenure. It would be published from 1979 to 1995. After this, it would be taken over by the publisher Panini.
The characters were licensed by the British Broadcasting Corporation, the series's makers. Even when the show was canceled in 1989, the magazine carried on, buoyed by its cult fanbase. With the show's renewal for a modern audience, the original Marvel comics have begun to find a new audience in reprinted trade paperbacks.
7 Blakes 7
Blakes 7 was a top-rated British Science fiction program that began airing in 1978. Produced in the UK, it would become a hit in over 25 countries. The show would have four seasons, with a range of merchandise to bolster its popularity.
Blakes 7: A Marvel Monthly was written and produced entirely in the UK. It had black and white paneled pages, as did many of the Marvel UK monthly comics at the time. The comic would prove just as popular as the series, outlasting the final episode by over a year. Several annuals and specials were also created, many of which contained gifts such as stickers and posters.
6 Knights Of Pendragon
If Captain Britain could be said to be the UK version of Captain America, then the Knights of Pendragon were the Avengers. They would start in their own title from 1990 to 1993. After this, they would be incorporated into the anthology Overkill. The squad featured Captain Britain, supported by a cast of powered and civilian allies.
The team was formed to work for the Green Knight. This character was based on Arthurian legend and the environmental folk character, the Green Man. The environmental theme would feature heavily in the first issues of the book. The comic was even printed on environmentally friendly paper.
5 Transformers
Transformers has the accolade of being one of the only non-Marvel property to get comics produced by Marvel US and UK. Part of the huge appeal of the toyline was its interesting backstory. The team at Marvel US had created this. They would release their own comic that would last for 80 issues.
In the UK, the Transformers comic was much more successful. It would combine original content with stories from the American titles. The Marvel UK comic ran for 332 issues. Over its tenure, the format would change drastically from single issues storylines to magazine-style anthologies.
4 Overkill
Overkill was Marvel UK's attempt to rival the anthology sci-fi comic 2000 AD's success. It featured a range of titles that Marvel UK had formatted for the US audience. To begin with, it completely omitted superhero titles.
It did have a limited budget for original content. This also had to be non-superhero related. Eventually, it was deemed that this would not appeal to consumers, and the ban was lifted. After this, Deaths Head became a regular ongoing character. It had 52 issues released between 1992 and 1994.
3 The Mighty World Of Marvel
For a comic that simply reprinted American titles' issues, the Mighty World of Marvel had a great pedigree. It was the first title released by Marvel UK in 1972. Although the material was produced in black and white and limited color on cheap, thin paper, its popularity introduced the British audience to a whole new world of adventure.
The book started by featuring Spiderman, Hulk, and Fantastic Four reprints. Spiderman would soon prove so popular he would get his own title and be replaced by Daredevil. It would include a whos who of Marvel, featuring everyone from Dracula to Godzilla in the rest of its run.
2 Motormouth
Motormouth could be one of the most interesting comic characters ever produced. A street kid from London with a penchant for bad language, her powers are as amazing as her personality. She wields a pair of sneakers that allow her to teleport across dimensional gaps, as well as having a sonic scream.
Motormouth would feature in her own 11 issue series that started in 1992. After this, she would team up with her partner Killpower in their own self titled book. The pair would then be incorporated into the Overkill anthology title and have since been seldom seen in the Marvel universe.
1 The Real Ghostbusters
The Real Ghostbusters comic was based on the same name's hit movie. While in the UK, the comics were produced by Marvel, in the US, they were under license by NOW Comics. The Marvel UK comic began in 1988. It would feature original content along with reprints of the NOW Comics productions.
The title ran for 193 issues. It would also spawn a host of annuals, specials, and a spin-off series from the character Slimer. The issues would have a mix of comic content along with written stories. These were sometimes narrated by one of the main characters, Winston Zeddmore.