'Captain Canuck' comic creator stops in to the Sault on cross-Canada tour

The creator of iconic Canadian comic book hero Captain Canuck was in the Sault on Tuesday to sign some new and old issues, as well as connecting with fans of the long-standing series.

The first Captain Canuck comic book rolled through the presses in 1975 and creator Richard Comely brought that classic, as well as some more recent issues,  for the Tuesday signing at The Rad Zone on Queen Street East.

Comely said Captain Canuck was immediately well received when it premiered on the shelves of comic book stores and interest has continued over more than 40 years.

“I felt Captain Canuck should be distinctly different from the American superheroes in that he would be less violent and more polite,” said Comely. “I think the timing was right and a lot of people felt we should have our own iconic superhero character.”

Some comic book characters, like Superman and Batman, live in fictional cities. Comely said he felt it was important for Captain Canuck to be set in the real world so kids could see their part of the country reflected as they flipped through the pages.

“Batman doesn’t get around much for a very wealthy guy, he’s too busy in Gotham City,” said Comely.

Along with his wife Evelyn, Comely is himself on a cross-country adventure that will take him through many of the cities his creation has been depicted in.

Usually booked for multiple events and conventions a year, Comely’s appearance on Tuesday in Sault Ste. Marie was just the second signing he has done since the start of the pandemic.

“Because we were going out west to visit family and I had some meetings out here I wanted to visit a bunch of stores,” said Comely.

He said it was nice to once again be able to come out and connect with fans.

At Tuesday’s event, Comely also had free copies of a recent Captain Canuck comic book that was made in partnership with Crime Stoppers.

With fewer in-school events to educate children, Comely said the timing of the Crime Stoppers collaboration is all the more important.

“It gets the message out that if you see something, call Crime Stoppers,” he said.