"Operation Asterix" refers to the 1980s project to raise a 3rd-century Roman shipwreck, nicknamed the "Asterix" after a comic character, from St. Peter Port harbor in Guernsey. The operation, supervised by Dr. Margaret Rule, involved salvaging the vessel between 1985 and 1986, with the timbers later sent to the Mary Rose Trust for conservation in Portsmouth. The preserved wreck was returned to Guernsey in 2015.
Raymond Redvers Briggs CBE (1934 – 2022) English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author. Achieving critical and popular success among adults and children, he is best known in Britain for his 1978 story The Snowman, a book without words whose cartoon adaptation is televised and whose musical adaptation is staged every Christmas
Garfield was originally published locally as Jon in 1976 (later changed to Garfield in 1977), then in nationwide syndication from 1978, it chronicles the life of the title character Garfield the cat, Odie the dog, and their owner Jon Arbuckle. As of 2013, it was syndicated in roughly 2,580 newspapers and journals; the comic held the Guinness World Record for being the world's most widely syndicated comic strip.
The Arrow - The Arrow (Ralph Payne) is a superhero created during the Golden Age of Comic Books. He was the first superhero published by Centaur Publications in 1938. A military intelligence agent who uses his archery skills to fight crime. He delivers messages via arrow, both to criminals and the police, and uses his bow to kill the evildoers.
Fantom of the Fair - The Fantom of the Fair is one of the earliest published Golden Age superheroes. He debuted in Centaur Publications' Amazing Mystery Funnies - July 1939. His early adventures are set fighting threats at the 1939 New York World's Fair. He lives in a subterranean chamber under the Fair, and he travels via secret trap doors placed around the fairgrounds. Created by Paul Gustavson
The Spider - The Spider, in reality was Tom Hallaway, a rich playboy who had grown tired of seeing criminals have their own way harassing and murdering honest citizens, so he adopted the guise of The Spider, and arrow wielding heroe, to settle the score. Created by Paul Gustavson - 1940
Dennis the Menace made its debut on March 12, 1951 in 16 newspapers and was originally distributed by Post-Hall Syndicate. The full-color Sunday strip debuted in January 1952. The inspiration for the comic strip came from Dennis Ketcham, the real-life son of Hank Ketcham, who, at four years old, refused to take a nap and made a complete mess of his room.
Graphic novelists tell rich stories by deftly interweaving words and images. Since emerging nearly a half-century ago, this narrative form – which can include anthologies, memoirs and other non-fiction works – has steadily grown in popularity and captivated readers around the globe. Canada Post is pleased to celebrate some of the most talented and influential authors of the genre in a set of stamps that includes Chester Brown, Michel Rabagliati, Seth and cousins Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki. Individually, these five graphic novelists have inspired readers at home and abroad and elevated the graphic novel form. Collectively, they have helped establish Canada’s reputation in the comic arts world – Canada Post Magazine
