While "researching" a recent Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom offers many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of the more interesting selections.
Click on images for full sized versions.
The New Original Captain Canuck Limited Edition No. 1 (Matrix Comics 2001)
Art by Dejan Ostojic
Premiering in Captain Canuck #1, Captain Canuck‘s original adventures ran for three issues in 1975-76. Writer Ron Leishman and artist/co-writer Richard Comely relied on tropes of US action comics while creating one of the most popular Canadian-created superhero. In 1979, Captain Canuck returned for an additional eleven issues and a Summer Special. The extraordinary George Freeman drew most of these issues and are sought after by discerning fans. (IDW recently announced two forthcoming collections of these issues!)
Captain Canuck #11 (Comely Comix) Art by George Freeman
Since the end of Freeman’s run (and that incarnation of the comic) in 1981, there have been several attempt to relaunch/ reintroduce the character including by Matrix Comics in 2001. The ashcan The New Original Captain Canuck Limited Edition No. 1 served as a prequel to a proposed series by writer Mark Shainblum and artist Sandy Carruthers (illustrator for the original Men in Black from Aircel Comics) that updates the character for 21st century audiences.
From The New Original Captain Canuck Limited Edition No. 1 (Matrix Comics 2001)
Script by Mark Shainblum
Art by Sandy Carruthers
As far as I can discern, this is the only Captain Canuck appearance created by the duo and the Matrix Comics series never materialized.