1995-Oct-02
The first comic books evolved around the 1930s from newspaper strips. The early comics were American but, with the disruptions of the second world war, a Canadian comic industry flourished. The appearance of Superman in April 1938 marked a major event in comic book history. The character created by Toronto-born Joe Shuster and American writer Jerry Siegel, was the mould from which all other comic book super heroes were cast.
Canada's first national super hero, Nelvana of the Northern Lights was conceived in 1941 by Adrian Dingle to battle wartime super-villains. She was a powerful heroine who symbolized the Canadian North. Canada's second super hero, Air Force Captain an secret agent Johnny Canuck, was Canada's answer to Nazi oppression. Created in 1941 by Leo Bachle, a 16-yer old Toronto student.
Three decades after the Golden Age of wartime super heroes, a new breed of nationalistic heroes appeared. Shunning violence and costumed in Canada's flag, Captain Canuck, a secret agent with double speed and strength was the 1975 brainchild of Richard Comley and Ron Leishman. A decade later, Fleur de Lys and the Anglophone hero Northguard (illustrated in the cachet) joined forces to protect Canada. Their incredible adventures were set in real Montreal area locations by writer Mark Shainblum an artist Gabriel Morrissette - Canada Post
