(1869, 1942, 1975)

D espite our present-day guardedness toward unchecked patriotism, the national superhero remains a fascinating part of the Canadian tradition. Johnny Canuck, the personification of Canada in early political cartoons, emerged in 1869 as a younger, simpler cousin to America’s Uncle Sam or Britain’s John Bull.

Reborn in the image of cartoonist Leo Bachle during World War II, the popular Johnny Canuck was Canada’s defender from the Nazi menace.

Then, in 1975, comic-book artist Richard Comely created another distinctly Canadian superhero. Captain Canuck, sporting "electro-thermic underwear," worked with Quebecois counterpart — Capitaine Kébec, and avoided conflict whenever possible. He thus embodied the Canadian awareness of the duality and the limitations of our country.

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