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Hello BC readers, it’s been a while. I’ve been off working on comics (The Freeze Vol 1 trade from Image Comics/Top Cow is in stores now…) but after
Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, Johnny Canuck, kickstarter, Leo Bachle, Rachel Richey
Johnny Canuck: The Return of a Lost Golden Age Hero!
Rachel Richey writes for Bleeding Cool:
Leo Bachle's original character, collected, restored and published by Rachel Richey with an introduction by Seth and biography by Rob Pincombe
70 years ago Johnny Canuck was Canada's most popular comic book character, since then he has been lost to readers and generations. Until now! This campaign is the first time all of his adventures will be collected for everyone to read!
Since I am a former journalism student and since I know all the right questions to ask, I will interview myself! Cheers!
RACHEL RICHEY QUESTION: Who is Johnny Canuck?
RACHEL RICHEY ANSWER: Johnny Canuck is a fantastic character from Canada's Golden Age of comics in the 1940s. He is a contemporary of Nelvana of the Northern Lights and Mr. Monster. In his comics, he is a combination spy and officer, traveling the world to take down the operations of the Axis! He's kind of like Canada's Captain America.
RRQ: Fantastic. So you're using Kickstarter to print the collected series?
RRA: Absolutely! Right here! It's the best way to share with the world a character that's lost 70 years of publicity. And it's also a good way to maintain control of the book, and get it to the right people.
RRQ: When does the Kickstarter end?
RRA: The last day of August, August 31st, 11:59 PM.
RRQ: In your opinion, what are some of the finer points of the character?
RRA: One time, Johnny jumped off a cliff to avoid starvation, but into crocodile infested waters. After avoiding the crocs, he is attacked by a leopard. That these comics are awesome should go unsaid, but for the record.
Johnny has lady accomplices or enemies, he boxes, is trained in trapeze, and is a perfect shot. Not to mention he's a flying ace, snarky, and as bold as they come. His adventures are spent in Russia, Germany, Libya, Africa, Tibet, and China! He's amazing.
RRQ: Now, you mention "Canada's Golden Age". Tell me more about that.
RRA: In the 1940s, during the WWII, Canada needed to preserve its economy. This meant banning some American "luxury" goods from Canada's market, and this included comic books. So even though they'd only been on the shelf for 3 or 4 years, they were taken down again. Canadian publishers, seeing the open market, sprang up almost immediately and within a few months there were dozens of books and heroes for Canadian children. When the war was done and the ban was lifted, Canadian publishers couldn't keep up and since 1946, these comics have effectively been lost.
RRQ: Wow, that's a really sad story. How does that make you feel?
RRA: Pretty sad, Rachel. Yeah.
RRQ: Well, that's history now. Your Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for the Johnny Canuck reprint, is it successful so far?
RRA: Yep! We're almost there! Only about $7000 more to go! We did $9000 on our first day! And so many cool incentives! Francis Manapul, Ramon Perez, Darwyn Cooke, Leonard Kirk, Ken Lashley, Jeff Lemire and so many others are donating an original art interpretation of the character! Francis Manapul's is just below! Also, THE BOOK! Also, prints, other Canadiana, single issues. Lots to choose from!
Also, don't forget to check out our stretch goals!
RRQ: Is this you first Kickstarter?
RRA: Nope! Last year I did the Nelvana of the Northern Lights Kickstarter! I love me my Canadian comics! I can't wait to see them side by side on my bookshelf!
RRQ: So, Nelvana of the Northern Lights and Johnny Canuck. What are your plans for the future?
RRA: I'm glad you asked that, Rachel. In the next few months I will be launching my new publishing company, Comic Syrup Press, which will publish several more characters from Canada's Golden Age including the Penquin (No relation to Oswald Cobblepot), Thunderfist, Rex Baxter, Doc Stearne/Mr. Monster (Related to Michael T. Gilbert's Mr. Monster from the 80s) The Wing, Polka Dot Pirate, Penny's Diary, Speed Savage, and more!
RRQ: Great, well it was great talking to you! I wish you the best of luck on your campaign!
RRA: You too, Rachel. Thanks for having me! And if there are any questions, I would be glad to take them!
Bleeding Cool incentive: If I make my target by the end of the weekend, I will take my T Rex arms and make Johnny Canuck proud. I will do one push up for every year Johnny has not been published, record it, and put it on the internet!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/96364695/johnny-canuck-the-return-of-canadas-hero
https://twitter.com/JohnCanuck1942
https://www.facebook.com/JohnCanuck1942
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