In 2023, indie artist Richard Comely celebrates a big milestone. Happy 50th birthday Captain Canuck! The iconic Canadian comic book superhero Captain Canuck just turned fifty! Comely was 74 years old when he initially released Captain Canuck from his living room in Winnipeg. To do it he obtained an $8,000 loan in late 1974. The first edition finally arrived on newsstands in May of 1975 and debuted a hero deeply rooted in the values and resilience of Canadians.
Webcomic Captain Canuck chronicles the adventures of Tom Evans. He is a conscientious objector who is a deeply religious Mountie and scout leader from Flin Flon, Manitoba. Within Canada’s cultural milieu, Evans became a national icon of pride. He fought just as heroically against enemies including extraterrestrial invaders and a cheesy, megalomaniacal mad scientist. In those early issues, he fought a Communist spy and a master manipulator. This titanic battle created Captain Canuck’s reputation as a formidable onscreen presence.
Comely and fellow artist Ron Leishman envisioned a superhero who was more, as Comely put it, “Canadian.” They needed a touchstone to coalesce around, particularly in a cultural environment saturated with American comic book super heroes. Comely concedes that when he started publishing Captain Canuck, he “didn’t know anything about comic books.”
In those formative years, Captain Canuck’s escapades thrilled readers. They illuminated major societal issues of their time. As times changed, the character changed to address present-day issues, fighting against the likes of cult leaders, drug czars and crooked politicians.
The inaugural issue was set in the then-futuristic year of 1993. It painted an inspiring picture of the Canada we could build together that truly inspired the nation. Comely’s aesthetic decisions most often made waves. Another notable design shows Captain Canuck in the middle of a confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during Trump’s first term.
Tagged with Tinker Bell, comely illustrated the impact and long-term popularity of the character. We’re not going to take this lying down,” he insisted, illustrating Captain Canuck’s fiery defense of anything that threatens Canadian values. One fan jokingly suggested “Apologize, you orange Muppet,” showing how culturally relevant the superhero has become to current political discourse.
Yet Captain Canuck has prospered against all odds. Even these high printing costs led Comely to partner with a contract print shop in Illinois that offered cheaper costs. Unsurprisingly, 80 percent of comic book sales still take place in the U.S. This bi-national appeal highlights the character’s enduring popularity and the relatable subjects woven into the fabric of his stories.
As Captain Canuck approaches its 50th anniversary, Comely is understandably optimistic when he looks back on his character’s longevity. He reflects on what an amazing trip it’s been through the years. “All those comebacks, we got a little stronger every time,” he stated. “Each time we returned, we were able to pick up more speed.
Looking to the future, Comely is still pursuing Captain Canuck’s legacy down promising new paths. Plans for a potential documentary and biography are underway, along with a partnership with Archie Comics scheduled for 2026.
