They’re tough, they’re exciting, and they’re proud to wear the maple leaf on their backs. In honour of Canada Day, we’re counting down the top five Canadian Superheroes.
5. Alpha Flight: This fictional superhero team hails from the Great White North. Created in 1979 by famed X-men scribe, John Byrne, Alpha Flight embodies what it is to be Canadian. The team originally led by James “Guardian” Hudson (of the Hudson Bay Hudsons) included members from across the country, and of both Inuit and First Nations’ heritage. Although the series played with national stereotypes, creating characters named Sasquatch and Puck, Alpha Flight still holds a place in the hearts of Canadian comic book fans. They’re our answer to The Avengers. If Iron Man and the Hulk can’t come to the rescue you might want to try Shaman, Snowbird, or Northstar. And speaking of Northstar…
Marvel/Eaglesham
4. Northstar: Northstar, known as Jean-Paul Beaubier to his friends, was an original member of Alpha Flight. Born in Montreal and trained as a professional skier, he developed the mutant abilities of super-speed, flight, and light manipulation. After the cancellation of the Alpha Flight series, Nothstar was written into the X-men and has been a productive member on and off for years. When Northstar isn’t saving the world from super villains, he’s using his fame and fortune for activism. In one storyline he adopts a little girl who is HIV positive and spends time campaigning for AIDS research, shedding light on the disease in the fictional world as well as our own. Northstar made headlines in 2012 for being the first openly gay superhero to marry his partner in the pages of a comic book. Canadians should be proud.
Marvel
3. Scott Pilgrim: Video games, sword fights, indie music – Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic book series has it all. Scott Pilgrim is a slacker living and (sometimes) who is forced to battle the evil exes of the woman he loves. O’Malley doesn’t shy away from the Canadian content and revels in bringing his Toronto to life through his mostly endearing protagonist. Even the 2010 film adaptation embraced the Torontonian spirit. The film was shot in the city and made sure to use specific landmarks and locations described in O’Malley’s books.
ONI
2. Captain Canuck: The United States may have a star-spangled Captain America, but we have the maple leaf-clad Captain Canuck. Captain Canuck was created by Richard Comely in 1975. It became the first successful Canadian superhero comic since World War II and has had a recent resurgence. Comely continues to make appearances, and Captain Canuck books and merchandise can be found in shops across the GTA. There’s even a web-series starring Orphan Black star, Tatiana Maslany.
1. Wolverine: The top spot goes to the one and only Wolverine. He’s been a member of the X-men, The Avengers, and headlines so many monthly comic book titles it’s useless to keep track. He’s the best there is at what he does and what he does isn’t every night. Whether or not you’re a fan of the little man with the claws, you have to admit that Wolverine is more than just a seminal Canadian character. He’s a seminal character. Hugh Jackman has been playing him to perfection for nearly 15 years. Wolverine has starred in countless cartoons, videogames, and comics. He’s iconic – and he’s proud to be Canadian.
Marvel
Honourable Mention: The Pitiful Human-Lizard. Let’s hope this newcomer becomes a Canadian classic.
