I recently picked up a few more issues of Captain Canuck; currently own just over half of the issues. We know someone here in Oregon who's related to Jean-Claude St. Aubin, who did a lot of the art in CC along with George Freeman.

I've also got several issues of a magazine that I recall was Canadian - Orb. Anybody remember that one? It was really good, IIRC.

Also, the editor of the Skywald Horror-Mood magazines, Alan Hewetson, was Canadian. After Skywald folded he went back to Ontario and into the newspaper business.

I am certainly aware of many of the Canadian creators who've made a real impact in recent years. Darwyn Cooke, in particular, has helped breath new life into the superhero genre. After falling in love with the Essex County Trilogy, I'll follow Jeff Lemire anywhere.

Lots of great talent from the GWN.

As I said in my initial bit - I'm shocked by how few people know of Hal Foster's roots and how little has been done in Canada to recognize his contributions to art and culture.

A few years back, a new road (cutting through a townhouse development in a gentrified ex-industrial district) named Joe Shuster Way. He's also been featured in patriotic television ads and his work has been featured on stampes. Now, I love the fact that Shuster is from T.O. and he deserves the recognition - but someone should throw Hal Foster's legacy a bone.

Now, has anyone ever heard the rumour that Winsor McCay was actually born in Ontario, and not Michigan?

I have to agree: Gene Day was on his way to being a special creator. His work on MoKF showed what great storytelling chops he had. He was also one of the most refined inkers working during the early ’80s (e.g., his run on Marvel Two-in-One). With Marvel giving creators like Frank Miller and John Byrne the keys to their own books around that time, one would think it was just a matter of time before Day would have got to write some tales for Marvel, too (he penned some wonderful sci-fi short stories in various ground-level publications in the ’70s).

Cheers,
Andrew

Gene Day, I knew of course. He died too young, just as he was becoming well known and appreciated by the Marvel crowd (us Canadians Comics fans were already proud of him).

Russ Jones contribution to our favourite artform is open for debate for sure. But I liked most of the stuff he worked on.

Jack Sparling's origins are news to me. I must say that, even though that DOOM PATROL cover is pretty cool, I never really appreciated Sparling's bland style.

Thanks for another great Comic Corner Scott! And Happy Canada Day!
(Speaking of Corner, I'm going back to the Corner Gas Marathon they have have ALL DAY! on the Comedy Network!)

Another Canadian artist from ye olden days, though nowhere near as well known as the fine fellows you mentioned, is Bill Payne. He didn't do a lot of work in comics but where he did it is striking to see. On certain of the DC horror anthology titles of the 70s you can check out a measure of his intensely atmospheric work. Craig.

It is similar with Darwyn Cooke. Though born and having lived in your neck of the woods for most of his life, in the past decade or so he has relocated to a Nova Scotian idyll, not far outside Halifax. But this, alas, is also a fact pretty much ignored by the larger cultural community here in Halifax. A shame. Though perhaps he prefers it quiet.

Really though you need not be a local comic book nerd to appreciate guys like Foster and Cooke.

Great piece today! Happy Canada Day to you!

Black and White Sparling also looks quite good in the Showcase Presents: Unknown Soldier collection.

As I've mentioned before, for some reason my appreciation for Sparling's work rose considerably when I saw it in b&w in the first Showcase Presents the House of Mystery. For me, his work seems to lose a little something with color ... or maybe it was just the poor repro technology of the times.

I'm starting to suspect that you guys are just looking at the pretty pictures!

And to think, I almost considered proof reading this piece.

Jeff - See above.

Thanks guys.

Gene Day left us way too soon... what a great artist he was developing into.

Say, no love for Dave Sim? He was a close friend of Gene day, andhad a huge impact on the entire independent comics movement.