Captain Canuck

What do Superman, Nelvana of the Northern Lights, Johnny Canuck, Captain Canuck and Fleur de Lys have in common? For one thing, they're all super heroes sprung from the wondrous pages of comic book; and for another, they're all the marvelous creations of Canadian talent. On October 2, these five super heroes will find new adventure in a booklet of 10 stamps from Canada Post Corporation, to be issued in conjunction with Stamp Month 1995. A universal hero in concept, Captain Canuck is undeniably Canadian in nationality, costume and mannerisms. The concept can be traced to Ron Leishman and Richard Comely. Comely changed Leishman's Captain Canada to Captain Canuck, and in 1974 established the only independent full-colour comic book in Canada. The cover price was 35¢ - 10¢ higher than other comic books at the time - but that didn't stop Captain Canuck from outselling all American titles. Unfortunately, the series folded with issue No. 14, in March 1981. Captain Canuck returned in 1993 in an all-new series with a brand-new story line. The new Captain doesn't have any weapons or special powers, other than fierce loyalty. His secret identity is Darren Oaks, a former kick-boxing champion, who works to save Canada from takeover by a world government wanting to set up its headquarters in Toronto. From Krypton to the Arctic, to Second World War battlefields and the Montreal Forum, Canada's super heroes have fought our country's enemies and never failed. And in delighting readers for some 50 years, they have given the world uniquely Canadian heroes.