Although there are many Canadian heroes in Marvel Comics, none of the heroes of Canada represented the country as Captain America represented the United States. There have been several contestants from different publishers, spanning several decades, but none of them have stood the test of time or become as beloved and popular as Steve Rogers. With so many worthy candidates and an increase in superhero media, it’s time for Canada to finally decide which hero its citizens want to represent them.
Several heroes are Canadian and have been popular throughout history, especially in Marvel Comics. These have included Wolverine, Deadpool, Northstar, and even a super team with Alpha Flight (Vindicator, Guardian, Shaman, Sasquatch, Puck, and Snowbird). Wolverine would arguably be Canada’s most popular comic book hero given his long history in comics and his ability to retain his own titles or stay on the main X-Men team. However, few people would consider him as patriotic as Captain America and he certainly wouldn’t include Canada in his codename. The superheroes who most closely resemble Captain America in terms of patriotism and direct inclusion of country name, locations, or iconography are Captain Newfoundland/Captain Canada, Captain Canuck, Johnny Canuck, and Major Mapleleaf.
Captain Newfoundland and Captain Canada
Captain Newfoundland made its comic strip debut in the January 5–11, 1980, issue of Sunday Heraldwhich is now known as The Newfoundland Herald or simply, the herald. It was created by the team of Geoff Stirling, his son Scott Stirling, and Marvel/DC artist Danny Bulanadi. Geoff Stirling founded the Sunday Herald, as well as other media for radio and television. Captain Newfoundland and Captain Canada both appeared in a graphic novel, which featured a cover by Boris Vallejo (known for his fantasy art as well as the iconic posters of the movies Barbarelle and National Lampoon’s Holiday). It also included the brief appearance of NHL All-Star Wayne Gretzky.
Captain Canada eventually disappeared from the comic book world (and the appearances he had are hard to find). He was mainly used as a media icon by NTV (Newfoundland Television) in the 1990s. He also starred in a TV movie titled, Captain Newfoundland and the tip of Atlantis. Captain Canada was supposed to be Canada’s first superhero, but he just couldn’t garner the same national attention as Captain America.
Captain Canuck
Captain Canuck is a Canadian comic book superhero. He made his debut in 1975 with Captain Canuck #1 by Comely Comix. It was created by Richard Comely and Ron Leishman. Captain Canuck has had three different alter egos: Tom Evans, Darren Oak and David Semple. Tom Evans is the first and current coat wearer. Captain Canuck has arguably some of the most comical appearances from each of these heroes and has had some success. His adventures have recently seen some consistency in their publication, marking him as a favorite for the position of Captain America of Canada. This is especially true since he appeared on Canadian postage stamps alongside Superman and other Canadian comic book heroes, like Johnny Canuck.
He moved from Comely Comix to his imprint, Semple Comics. Then his adventures were published by Comedy Comics/Hot Hail Comics, eventually having a home with Chapterhouse Comics, which has since revitalized the character. Captain Canuck published only fourteen issues sporadically from 1975 to 1981. He briefly published a four-issue series in 2004, as well as the Captain Canuck: Legacy series in 2006, which was supposed to last four issues but was not fully realized. The Hero was brought back in 2015 and eventually went on to regular success with a run of forty issues from 2015-2016 and several additional series including Captain Canuck Season 5 in 2020. He is arguably the most popular of each of these heroes and has the most hope for a long story if he continues to have regular adventures in the future.
Johnny Canuck
Johnny Canuck started life as a political cartoon and eventually transitioned into the realm of comics as a hero. He’s the oldest of every hero mentioned here since his first appearance in 1869, though his comic book debut didn’t come until 1942. Like Steve Rogers, he was a World War II hero, coming face to face with Hitler. He was frequently depicted in pilot’s attire. After the end of World War II, the character would lose popularity despite appearing in the same series of Canadian stamps as Captain Canuck. He briefly appeared again in comics in 2010, but was unable to make a full comeback in that medium.
This Canadian hero is reborn in a new iteration in the sports world, getting involved with the Vancouver Canucks NHL team as a logo. After a Quebec hockey team’s lumberjack character was dubbed “Johnny Canuck,” the name was given a new purpose after the redesigned logo was trademarked. This fusion of the character name and new lumberjack look appeared as a shoulder logo in 2008 for the Vancouver Canucks. Last year, it became the official logo of the AHL affiliated team, the Abbotsford Canucks. His return to comics is incredibly unlikely, despite what potential he once may have had.
major maple leaf
Major Mapleaf is a coat that has been worn by two Marvel characters: Louis Sadler and his son, Lou Sadler, Jr. The character debuted in 1992 as part of Alpha Flight #106 by Scott Lobdell, Mark Pacella, Dan Panosian, Bob Sharen and Janice Chiang. The first Major Mapleleaf was a hero during World War II, similar to Captain America – although his story in the comics came much later than Cap’s in terms of publication. It was also much shorter and darker. He mainly only appeared in this issue, fighting with Northstar. This issue featured Northstar as gay, making him Marvel’s first official openly LGBTQ+ hero. Major Mapleleaf’s coat then fell into the hands of his son Lou, who began wearing it in 2004 within Alpha Flight #1.
Unfortunately, the second Major Mapleleaf wouldn’t last long in the role either. He was killed in New Avengers #16 by Brian Michael Bendis, Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, Morry Hollowell and Richard Starkings, only two years after its debut. Marvel created some of the most popular comic book heroes, including Captain America, but they failed – and quickly killed off – heroes who could have been Captain America’s Canadian counterparts. None of Major Mapleleaf’s iterations lasted fifteen issues and the character, unlike many others, has not been revived since.
Who will be Canada’s real Captain America?
Canada has had many comic book heroes on its toes over the years. These have included the superheroes mentioned above, as well as others, such as Fleur de Lys and Nelvana of the Northern Lights (Canada’s first Canadian superheroine). Captain Canuck seems to be the precursor to the position of official hero of Canada since he has the most consistent appearances, a long history and is truly a Canadian comedian. Yes Canada hopes to have his own true version of Captain Americasupporting Captain Canuck and his allies would certainly be the best course of action.
About the Author
