- Johnny Canuck
Johnny Canuck was a
Canadian cartoon hero andsuperhero who was created as apolitical cartoon in 1869 and was later re-invented, first in 1942, then in 1975.Johnny Canuck was created as a lumber jack
national personification ofCanada . He first appeared in early political cartoons dating to1869 where he was portrayed as a younger cousin of theUnited States 'Uncle Sam and Britain'sJohn Bull . Depicted as a wholesome, if simple-minded, fellow in the garb of ahabitant , farmer, logger, rancher or soldier, he often resisted the bullying of John Bull or Uncle Sam. For thirty years, he was a staple of editorial cartoonists. Then, in the early twentieth century, he faded from view.The character re-emerged during
World War II in the February1942 issue of Bell's "Dime Comics" No.1. CartoonistLeo Bachle created the character as a teenager, apparently on a challenge from a Bell executive. Initially, Johnny Canuck had no superpowers. Bachle explained:Johnny Canuck's cartoon exploits helped Canada fight against
Nazism . LikeCaptain America , he metAdolf Hitler and almost single-handedly ended the war. The use of such stock figures diminished in popularity afterWorld War II . However, in 1975, a new comic book character,Captain Canuck , emerged. Created by Richard Comely (who was unaware of the earlier Johnny Canuck character) Captain Canuck was a superhero rather than just a hero, he wore red tights, and bore a redmaple leaf emblazoned on his forehead.In 1995,
Canada Post issued a series of Canadian postage stamps celebrating Canada’s comic-book superheroes. [http://members.tripod.com/~MitchellBrown/cancom/stamps.html 1] Johnny Canuck is depicted as he appeared in the comic books, dressed in flight jacket, goggles, leather headgear and boots. Johnny Canuck is linked to a tradition of stalwart, honest, upstanding Canadian heroes.In January 2006, "Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque," a musical comedy, premiered at the Mainline Theatre in
Montreal . The play, created byJeremy Hechtman andPatrick Goddard , concerned the post-World War II life of Johnny Canuck and his adventures as a burlesque star. The play starred Aaron Turner as the sexually naive Johnny Canuck.Recently, Johnny Canuck has appeared in the NHL. In 2006, when
Roberto Luongo was signed onto theVancouver Canucks , Luongo's vintage helmet had a depiction of Johnny Canuck. In 2007, Luongo's new helmet has Johnny Canuck featured rather promintently.ee also
*
Marianne
*Uncle Sam
*John Bull
*Johnny Reb
*Jacobin
*Deutscher Michel
*Columbia
*Britannia
*Finnish Maiden External links
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004144 "Canadian Encyclopedia" "Johnny Canuck."]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/2/6/h6-208-e.html Canadian Heroes in Fact and Fiction]
* [http://www.skypoint.com/members/schutz19/jcanuck.htm Johnny Canuck]
* [http://www.montrealfringe.ca/johnnycanuck.htm Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque]
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