CC/Kebec Sculptures by Jake Dowker

Lev Gleason sent out a newsletter yesterday announcing the release of a third Crime Stoppers Special. Click on the cover to purchase. 

A 2024 Crime Stoppers Canada Exclusive! While trying to track down clues to the whereabouts of one of Canada's most wanted, a young security guard stumbles across a car theft ring that puts him in the unexpected position of a teaming up with Canada's greatest hero... Captain Canuck. 

(W) Danny Djeljosevic (A) Mukor Bazan (CA) Angelo Razzano, John Mungiello

Naturally, this put me in a mood to sort through my old content and make some updates to this often-neglected blog.

While looking around for material, I came upon the rather mind-blowing images below.

These were posted on Art Station four years ago, so fans of the Captain and his entourage may well be aware of them already, but I thought I should share them on an "ICYMI" basis.

Click on this link to see more images from Dowker's work on these two characters, as well as one done for Freelance. 

2013, July 22nd, Calgary Herald: "Captain Canuck True To Form In Web Series"

Lev Gleason Publishing has been rather quiet of late, and when they have been heard from, it's had little to do with their face-of-the-franchise, flag-bearing (in every sense) character.

My guess here is that the good Captain has quietly entered yet another period of dormancy. Admittedly, I feared this when much of the publisher's attention was suddenly directed to characters like Daredevil and Silver Streak. If LGP didn't lose interest in Captain Canuck entirely, they certainly found themselves distracted by another shiny object.

Ah well. Much gratitude for the material we did get, it was top shelf. Maybe one day inspiration strikes again.

In the meantime, for the hell of it, we'll go back a decade or so to when the good Captain returned in animated form. I recall the excitement generated from finding out about this and looking forward to each episode dropping. Good times. Hope they repeat themselves. 

LGP February 2021 Solicitations

Only one Canuck offering in February.

With the Brotherhood of Light hot on their trail, Canuck and his new found allies must work fast to rescue the captured Fen, and uncover of the mystery of how the planet Beyond came under the control of the mysterious Aguirre.

The book is written by Adrien Benson and drawn by Esteban Calvi.

The other book being released next February (both are scheduled for the 24th) is a compilation of the Beyond back up story from the original Captain Canuck series from the 70s, with new material. So if you're looking to find out more about the setting in which the current book takes place, that'll be an opportunity to do so.

Transitioning from Season 4 to Season 5

If you're here, there's a very good chance you're already on the Chapterhouse (Lev Gleason Pub) mailing list. If you're not on that list, here's what you missed (and therefore a couple of good reasons why you should be on it) last week.

As has been done for Season Zero with its Redcoat/Kebec origin flipbook, a fifth issue has been added to Season Four.  

The Invasion is over. The Borealis were routed, but the world is left to pick up the pieces and bury the dead. Among those lost, the world’s shining beacon of hope…Captain Canuck. Still working through the stages of grief, the world plans for the future while gathering to mourn his loss…

This one comes with a pretty boss variant cover and an excellent incentive, aside from its awesomeness, to purchase it.

The newsletter specifies that this version of the book is limited to 100 copies and that all proceeds will be donated to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund. How great is that? Both books will be available to purchase from the publisher's website on November 7th. 

Then on November 18th, A zero issue will be available for Season Five. I believe it reprints the material from the 2019 Free Comic Book Day issue but comes with a wraparound cover. We now get to see what these guys...

...were all looking at.

The Captain's pose isn't quite right based on the shadow on the original cover but we'll assume there was a brief delay between the two images. ;-)

Finally, this wasn't announced in the newsletter, it was just something I happened to notice when I clicked on one of the links. Perhaps it was unintentional but the Season Five trade cover is displayed on the website. 

Good looking bunch. Could we have a team book in the making?

Chapterhouse's 2019 FCBD Offering

I don't even know how to follow Chapterhouse anymore.

They seem intent on going digital-only, which is fine, except that they sort of did it midstream. I have the first two issues of season three in print. I was hoping to at least finish that series in that format before going digital and/or trade from season four on. But the trades just keep getting pushed back. Volume (or season) three is now scheduled for July 2019.

But today the image below appears on social media (I first saw it on Instagram). A trip to the publisher's rebooted website revealed the pitch that follows:

The world was saved as its hero fell. Who will pick up the pieces?  

Michael Evans, the charismatic and genius leader of Equilibrium, has tasked himself to protect the world and rebuild it in the wake of the global attack from the Borealis. But without the aid of his brother Tom, whose heroic sacrifice saved the world, is Michael in any condition to handle the weight of the world on his own? Enter a new Captain Canuck, but just who is behind the mask?  

Find out in this FCBD issue of Captain Canuck! The perfect jumping-on point to the adventures taking place in Captain Canuck Season 5: Equilibrium Shift!

Season...Five?

That I know of, the final issue of season four was never solicited and the first issue never released. We're talking about season five (in rather spoilery terms, no less) while the previous season's first issue is five months late.

Hey, that Year One series? Is that still a thing?

I was optimistic that Jay Baruchel's addition to Chapterhouse in the summer of 2017 would stabilize the ship a bit but sadly that hasn't come to pass. The publisher is still burdened by constant tardiness and poor communication.

Another Quality Mike Rooth Variant Cover (Inexplicably Unused).

This bad boy has been making the rounds on social media in recent days so it's quite likely that if you're a fan of the character you've already seen it but I'm posting it here for storage purposes.

(From Chapterhouse Instagram): Here's an unused variant cover for Captain Canuck Issue #1 back in 2015 by powerhouse cover artist (Mike Routh). What a beautiful homage to the original 1975 classic Canuck cover! 

CAPTAIN CANUCK SEASON 4 #3

Let's see what's in store (at least figuratively) in September!

(W) Jay Baruchel, Van Jensen
(A) Zachariah Roane
(CA) John Gallagher 

The world is in chaos. The invading Borealis army has arrived on Earth and the Aurora Dawn cult are finally in the position they have waited for. With the world’s fate all but sealed, Canuck and his allies are left outgunned and outmanned, leaving a difficult choice to be made. Don’t miss the penultimate issue of the event three years in the making! 

In Shops: Sep 26, 2018
SRP: $1.99

The cover for the second issue of this series caused me to consider purchasing the first season of Freelance. The above solicitation reminded to check when Freelance would be available and sure enough, it is delayed once again.

That book, Northguard and Fantomah's first seasons and seasons two and three and Captain Canuck are now scheduled for January 8th, 2019, according to Amazon. Fallen Suns and the second season of Freelance are nowhere to be found. If your plan is to read the Chapterhouse books in order, you're going to have to be patient.

Captain Canuck August (2018, hopefully) Solicitation

Earlier today, Chapterhouse revealed the books the publisher would like to release in August.

The third issue of  volume three of Captain Canuck was planned for July 2017 and it's still not available, that I know of. It's certainly not available on their website as I write this. Therefore it may be a touch unrealistic to count on the second issue of volume four to be on shelves by end August.

Nonetheless, when the glorious day comes, here's what you can expect:

(W) Jay Baruchel, Van Jensen
(A) Zachariah Roane
(CA) John Gallagher 

Michael Evans’ plans to save the Earth places an entire city at risk but before he can put his plan in motion, Michael and Red Coat will have to survive the deadly traps that stand before them.  

Meanwhile, Captain Canuck and the rest of Canada’s heroes find themselves face to face with the most elite hunters the Borealis have conscripted from around the Universe!  

Canada’s premiere superhero returns in a new series written by Van Jensen (The Flash, Fallen Suns) with art by Zachariah EM Roane (Tales of the Black Devil)! 

In Shops: Aug 29, 2018
SRP: $1.99

Well, hell. I didn't pick up the Freelance limited series because I hated the preview art I saw and saw no direct connection to Captain Canuck. Now he replaces the Captain on a cover to his own book, and looks fantastic doing it. It has become redundant to state that John Gallagher has done incredible cover work.

So perhaps I should get Freelance after all? The trade paperback version is showing a release date of July 10th on Amazon but that has been fluid too. let's add it to the wish list and see.

Captain Canuck Coin From The Royal Canadian Mint!

Hey, isn't it great that Facebook knows everything about you so they can cater their advertising to your interests? ;-)

Actually, I believe I first saw this item on my timeline because I follow the Royal Canadian Mint's Facebook group. The banner image below, showing the coin and its "maroon clamshell with graphic beauty box" (jeepers...), is from West Edmonton Coin And Stamp's own promotion for the piece.

More than a homegrown comic book hero, Captain Canuck personifies the spirit of Canadians by embodying self-sacrifice, determination, and integrity, and all with a full dose of humility and compassion. This comic book-shaped coin is the ultimate tribute to a Canadian pop-culture icon created in 1975; your coin re-creates elements of Richard Comely’s cover art from Captain Canuck No. 1, which introduced a new, uniquely Canadian hero—one who fights for justice and peace while wearing the colours of our nation’s flag! 

A perfect coin for Captain Canuck comic book fans!

Let's get a better look...

The mint's page about this item states that this is the Captain's first appearance on a coin. In terms of currency, they would know. However while looking for more information about this one, I came across the item below.

Isn't that something? The empire coin company is based out of Brooklyn, New York and they create challenge coins. Presumably, this one is used as some sort of reward for a specific achievement or maybe it was just a gift for someone. I would love to know the story behind it.

The image was uploaded to the company's Instagram account about five months ago.

Captain Canuck, Season 4, Book 1, Arrives in July!

Or at least, things are being planned that way, after a Captain-free June.

(W) Jay Baruchel, Van Jensen
(A) Zachariah Roane
(CA) John Gallagher 

The biggest event to hit the Chapterverse has arrived! After a global invasion by the extra-terrestrial Borealis, Tom Evans aka Captain Canuck leads a team of Canada’s greatest superheroes to save the world. But what’s a bigger threat to their success: the aliens, or the schemes of Tom’s reckless brother, Michael?

Canada’s premiere superhero returns in a new series written by Van Jensen (The Flash, Fallen Suns) with art by Zachariah EM Roane (Tales of the Black Devil)! 

In Shops: Jul 25, 2018
SRP: $1.99

I was not familiar with artist Zachariah EM Roane but his Instagram account provides some cause for optimism.

Captain Canuck, Year One, Book Four

A quiet month is in store for Chapterhouse this coming May as the fourth issue of Captain Canuck: Year One is one of few books released.

CAPTAIN CANUCK YEAR ONE #4
(W) Jay Baruchel (A) Creees Hyunsung Lee (CA) Danny Zabbal 

The lost tale of how Tom Evans became the hero known as Captain Canuck continues! 

The villainous Cronje is out for revenge on Tom and Yvette after they took down Parsifal’s operation. But how deep and dubious their plans were have remained to be seen. How far will Tom Evans’ have to go to bring a stop to Parsifal’s final weapon, The Panzerklagge? And exactly what does his brother Michael have to gain from it all? 

In Shops: May 30, 2018
SRP: $3.99

An issue of The Pitiful Human Lizard is also expected to be released on the same day and a "virgin art" version of the third issue of Year One is also expected to appear on May 2nd.  Info obtained, as is usually the case, from First Comics News.

Captain Canuck: Year One, Book Three

The Chapterhouse Publishing April 2018 solicitations include the conclusions of seasons two of Fantomah and Freelance, as well as the third book in the "Year One" Captain Canuck mini.

CAPTAIN CANUCK
YEAR ONE: BOOK THREE
Story by Jay Baruchel
Art by Creees Hyunsung Lee
Cover by Creees Hyunsung Lee and Vaneda Vireak 

Continuing the lost tale of how Tom Evans became the hero known as Captain Canuck! 

Assigned to support the notorious mercenary group Parsifal, Tom Evans has used his powers to covertly sabotage their nefarious efforts. Now exposed, Tom is all that stands in Parsifal’s way, unless he can get a little help from everyone’s favourite sniper, Kebec!

$1.99 | 6.25/10.18 | Full Color 

While I normally view solicitations on First comics News first, this time, Newsarama was the first to carry them (as far as I could tell).

The colouring of that cover reminds me of the 3D gimmick from the late 80s or so. I can't imagine Chapterhouse is going down that road so I suspect that the final product will be a lot tighter.

Chapterhouse Invades 2018

I'd been keeping an ear to the ground for Chapterhouse Publishing's March solicitations and while we didn't quite get those, what we got was pretty cool. This spring, the Captain and his entourage attempt to fight off an invasion.

Invasion is Chapterhouse’s first major event, taking place in the pages of Captain Canuck Season Four throughout the summer of 2017 and bringing together heroes of the Chapterverse – Fantomah, Freelance, Pitiful Human-Lizard, Northguard, Agents of P.A.C.T., and Fallen Suns – against the threat of alien race, the Borealis. 

Having observed Earth from afar, the Borealis arrive to pass judgement on humankind – a failure, too dangerous to be allowed to live. However, despite our flaws, Captain Canuck and the heroes of the Chapterverse still believe humans are worth saving. This action-packed Chapterverse crossover event will also look back at the story of the Chapterverse so far, so new readers are not left out of the action. 

"I've been counting the days to Invasion since we released Captain Canuck on Free Comic Book Day in 2015,” says Chapterhouse founder Fadi Hakim. “Having the story come full circle for Free Comic Book Day 2018 is simply the best thing ever!” 

Chapterhouse’s Free Comic Book Invasion prologue features the debut of the Captain Canuck Season Four writing team – Jay Baruchel and Van Jensen (Green Lantern Corps, The Flash). Leonard Kirk (Batman, Supergirl, JSA, X-Factor) provides the artwork plus a cover by John Gallagher (Riverdale, Supergirl, The Flash). 

"This is big, blockbuster, summer entertainment,” Baruchel explains. “It's got monsters, superheroes, space ships, big explosions, and Donald Trump being subjugated by aliens - pretty much all you could ask for in a comic book. Exciting stuff that's going to take heads off."

The last few months have predictably felt like Chapterhouse had hit the reset button. Jay Baruchel was named Chief Creative Officer this past summer, for one thing, but while the publisher's agreement with Diamond Books at around the same time didn't generate the same amount of attention, it was still very impactful.  Chapterhouse products were to become more widely available throughout North America and Europe and many books were resolicited accordingly.

Invasion may have been in the planning stages for years, but its announcement feels symbolic of Chapterhouse having adapted to its new normal and preparing to take off again. This could be a big year for the publisher.

Merry Christmas From Chapterhouse!

I've done some clean-up work on some of the pages, and updated some of the graphics on right side of the page, but I haven't posted much lately simply because there's been little Captain Canuck material solicited by Chapterhouse Publishing. There have been a couple of books involving some of the supporting cast; Northguard guest-stars Steeltown Hammer, Fallen Suns features one the Equilibrium staff in Parminder Patel and what appears to be the antagonist from the Captain second series (Pharos) and Fantomah is said to take place in the Chapterverse as well.

But December brings the good Captain back in what I (edit: incorrectly) assume is a four-issue mini series again, like most Chapterhouse offerings. And it starts with a good jump-on point:

CAPTAIN CANUCK YEAR ONE #1
(W) Jay Baruchel, Kalman Andrasofszky
(A) Marcus To
(CA) David Finch 

Jay Baruchel joins Chapterhouse with an epic origin story!

If you missed FCBD, we have you covered! Captain Canuck Year One Book One is available again at $1.99 with a brand-new deluxe cover wrap featuring David Finch’s iconic image of the Captain. And on the reverse of every cover of Year One is the virgin art!

“Sur Saray” is a Year One story set during Tom Evans’ time serving in the Afghanistan war. Tom has returned to active duty after going AWOL to rescue his brother from Site ALEPH, but his unit, the PCE Squad is folded into an unscrupulous mercenary platoon.

Frustrated by the injustices he’s witnessing on a daily basis, Tom begins slipping away by night, using his new powers to right the street-level wrongs the military is too unwieldy to effectively address. 

In Shops: Dec 06, 2017
SRP: $1.99

Nice idea there to make this so easily accessible. The story continues later in the month:

CAPTAIN CANUCK YEAR ONE #2
(W) Jay Baruchel, Kalman Andrasofszky
(A) Creees Hyunsung Lee
(CA) Cary Nord 

The lost tale of how Tom Evans became the hero known as Captain Canuck continues in “Sur Saray,” the story that began in the Captain Canuck Free Comic Book Day special and co-written by Jay Baruchel (Undeclared, This is the End, Goon 2, How to Train Your Dragon)!

Tom Evans has returned to service in Afghanistan, newly empowered by his encounter at Site: Aleph, but still reeling from the ordeal. Assigned to support the notorious mercenary group Parsifal, Evans is horrified to discover the extent of their brutal subjugation of the people.

Torn between his orders and a burning need to stand against injustice, Tom must find a way to balance a soldier’s duty with a hero’s conscience. 

In Shops: Dec 27, 2017
SRP: $3.99

So if you have the week between Chrismas and New Year's off, you've got some quality reading to look forward to!

August 2017 Chapterhouse Publishing Solicitations

First Comics News posted the Chapterhouse solicitations for August including what I thought was the last issue of this volume, but then it's referred to as an ongoing still, so perhaps (hopefully) not.

CAPTAIN CANUCK #4
(W) Kalman Andrasofszky
(A) Leonard Kirk, Emmanuelle Chateauneuf
(CA) John Gallagher 

Communicating at last, Captain Canuck and the alien creature now known as Pharos must join forces to confront the power behind the sinister HALO organization. 

In Shops: Aug 16, 2017
SRP: $3.99

The final issue of Fantomah comes out in August as well. That title will be replaced by Northern Light in September.

Now I put in a small order from Chapterhouse earlier today and I was a little disappointed to find out that the fourth issue of All-New Classic Captain Canuck was not available in print format on their online store yet since it has been available digitally for a couple of weeks on Comixology. Shouldn't be long then.

You can, however, order the Free Comic Book Day...huh...book, if you were not able to get your hands on it earlier this month during the actual event. I'm pleased to see that along with the original cover by David Finch...

...you can order one with the East Coast Comics Expo variant by Nick Bradshaw!

Awesome stuff. Looking forward to getting my package in the mail! Chapterhouse never disappoints with mail orders so I expect to have it around this time next week.

Chapterhouse Publishing July 2017 Solicitations

First Comics News revealed Chapterhouse's July offerings early this morning. Let's have a look!

AGENTS OF PACT TP, VOL 01, FLEURS DE CONFLIT
(W) Kalman Andrasofszky, Blake Northcott
(A) Federica Manfredi, Caroline Nolasco
(CA) Bella Rachlin 

Don’t miss this collected edition of Agents of P.A.C.T! With Captain Canuck missing and a new extraterrestrial menace wreaking havoc across Canada, Manon DesChamps, director of P.A.C.T., the paranormal investigation arm of CSIS, must form her own strike team of super-agents to step in and contain the disaster.

Fan-favourites Kebec and Redcoat join the newly-powered Marla Ritchie in this explosive first arc. Can this fledgling team unite and prevent further destruction, or will their own competing motivations prove too much for the Agents of P.A.C.T.? 

In Shops: Jul 26, 2017
SRP: $16.99

Yeah...No way in hell this book is available in July.  The second issue has yet to find its way onto shelves. Typically, Chapterhouse Books come out on the last week of the month. Even if the second issue were to come out at the end of the April, it's hard to imagine the rest of the series being completed by the time this book is scheduled to appear. And I doubt Chapterhouse would release a compilation before the original material is fully available. So see you in the fall, volume 1.

CAPTAIN CANUCK #3
(W) Kalman Andrasofszky
(A) Leonard Kirk
(CA) John Gallagher 

The Chapterverse continues! Look out Equilibrium, Captain Canuck is back, and this time he’s fighting for P.A.C.T! But is even his power enough to stand against the rampaging alien threat that has destroyed Toronto? 

In Shops: Jul 26, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Destroyed?

Gallagher's images just blow my mind every time I see one.

And again, while Fantomah is said to be a Chapterverse title, I don't know how it actually ties in, but it does seem enjoyable. I might TPB that one, and it would make a good halloween release. Just sayin'.

FANTOMAH #3
(W) Ray Fawkes
(A) Soo Lee
(CA) Djibril Morrisette 

The Chapterverse continues!

Bodies are piling up. Rumours of The Weeping Woman are spreading. The city’s criminal element is running scared, jumping at its own shadow, and turning on itself. 

But it’s Paz Gallegos who has the most to fear. The closer she draws to the truth of her sisters’ disappearance, the farther she drifts from her own humanity and into the waiting arms of Fantomah. 

In Shops: Jul 26, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Chapterhouse Comics June 2017 Solicitations

As usual, first shared by First Comics News, although if you ever miss them there, you will get them a few days later by joining Chapterhouse's newsletter.

CAPTAIN CANUCK #2
(W) Kalman Andrasofszky (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) John Gallagher 

The Chapterverse continues! The mysterious alien menace continues to tear through random locations around the globe and the casualty count is high. Is there a pattern to the havoc? With Kebec and Northguard taken off the board, who can stop it? 

In Shops: Jun 28, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Collections seem to be appear in these solicitations frequently. I believe in this case the reason is that this is a hardcover whereas the previous versions are trade paperback. The content appears to be the same, but releasing it right around the country's 150th birthday just makes sense. 

CAPTAIN CANUCK COMPENDIUM HC
(W) Richard Comely, George Freeman (A) Claude St Aubin (A/CA) Richard Comely, George Freeman 

In celebration of Canada’s 150th-anniversary, Captain Canuck is back in Chapterhouse Comics’ hardcover Compendium line. This 366 page compendium features all of the issues from the 1975-81 series, including issue #15 in full-color. Never-seen before art and extras by Richard Comely, George Freeman, and Claude St. Aubin make this a collector’s item a must have for fans of the Captain, new and old! (Foreword) by Captain Canuck creator Richard Comely! 

In Shops: Jun 28, 2017
SRP: $34.95

I'll include the following two books as well though their connection to the Captain is still a mystery to me. They are said to take place in the "universe" so that continues to be good enough.

FANTOMAH #2
(W) Ray Fawkes (A) Soo Lee (CA) Djibril Morrisette 

Shaken by the traumatic events of last issue, Paz Gallegos, now the dreaded Fantomah, must race against the clock to track down her missing sisters. But as her powers continue to manifest, Fantomah finds herself pulled in new and deadly directions, sending her down a dangerous spiral from which she may never recover. 

In Shops: Jun 28, 2017
SRP: $3.99

FREELANCE TP VOL 01 ANGEL OF THE ABYSS
(W) Jim Zub, Andrew Wheeler (A) Vaneda Vireak, Cindy Leong (CA) Alex Perkins 

Lance Valiant, John Cabot, and Tasha Kolchak are fearless explorers who delve into hidden secrets of our world and protect us from threats beyond imagination, but the greatest secret of all may be Lance’s own mysterious past! Pulse-pounding action, wit, intrigue, and globe-trotting romance as one of Canada’s original heroes is reborn for the Chapterhouse era by writers Andrew Wheeler (Another Castle) and Jim Zub (Thunderbolts), and artist Vaneda Vireak (51Hundred)! 

In Shops: Jun 28, 2017
SRP: $16.99

May 2017 Chapterhouse Publishing Solicitations

As always, these are Captain-centric. And that Captain is back in late May!

CAPTAIN CANUCK 2017 ONGOING #1(W) Kalman Andrasofszky
(A) Leonard Kirk
(CA) John Gallagher 

The Chapterverse continues! Captain Canuck returns with a brand new first issue!

Tom Evans has walked away from Equilibrium, his brother Michael, and the mantle of Captain Canuck, choosing to return instead to a simple life on the reservation near Flin Flon where he grew up. What a terrible time for an extraterrestrial incursion! 

In Shops: May 31, 2017
SRP: $3.99

But then, is there ever a GOOD time for an extraterrestrial incursion?

If you have yet to give it a good look, blow up that cover, children. It's fantastic.

So this book is specified as being the 2017 ongoing. Could just be a wording thing, but I take that to mean that the type of hiatus we've had will become the norm. If so, so be it, so long as other books take its place and continue the Chapterverse stories and the break enables regular a regular publishing schedule, that sounds like a solid structure to me.

What else can we look forward to...

FANTOMAH #1(W) Ray Fawkes
(A) Soo Lee
(CA) Djibril Morrisette 

The Chapterverse continues with this brand new series!

24-year old Paz Gallegos has been holding her family together for years. But when her two sisters go missing and her life begins to unravel, Paz finds herself thrown into a world of gangs, guns… and ghosts. Because something spectral is lurking just below the surface of Paz’s nightmares. Something not afraid to leave a trail of bodies in its wake.

Fantomah’s story begins here, in a pulse-pounding first issue brought to you by Ray Fawkes and Soo Lee. 

In Shops: May 31, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Another amazing cover. Said to be a Chapterverse book, yet doesn't seem to have a significant connection to Captain Canuck, PACT, etc. At least not on the surface. Easy creative team to put your faith behind, mind you.

That would leave a Northguard return and Northern Light for late September, perhaps October if delays set in (Agents of PACT and Freelance were already a couple of weeks late, so those seem inevitable). First Comics News' Martin Boruta shared an advertisement for the Northern Light in a recent article and I include it below.

You might recognize the gigantic creature in the background from some of the Captain Canuck material that's already been shown so this series seems to be more connected to the Captain's book than the other Chapterverse titles. And almost, if not fully, completely removed from the original book to bear its name, on the other hand. We'll see, but in the meantime, let's check out some Fantomah. 

Chapterhouse Reveals Free Comic Book Day Offering

Good to see this on several levels.

Jay Baruchel (Goon, Goon-Last of the Enforcers, This is the End, Man Seeking Woman, How to Train Your Dragon) joins the Captain Canuck team to co-write the Free Comic Book Day edition of Captain Canuck: Year One for Chapterhouse Comics with Editor in Chief and series writer Kalman Andrasofszky.  

“Captain Canuck is a true Canadian icon and it is a humble honour to be involved in helping to shape the next generation of Canuck sagas for a new generation of readers and fans, as well as the die-hards that have followed Cap on his journey from the beginning”, says Baruchel. “Chapterhouse is doing very awesome stuff as they breathe new life into the world of Canadian comics. I am proud to be joining their ranks in this incredible adventure as we work hard to bring exciting stories and classic heroes to life for readers across Canada.” 

“The Captain’s ranks keep growing” says Fadi Hakim, President of Chapterhouse and Captain Canuck Incorporated, “and we’re simply overjoyed to have a consummate talent and Canadian like Jay on board as we march forward!” 

Canuck creator Richard Comely echoes Hakim’s sentiment: “Jay is one of the most prolific, well-spoken people I’ve met in this industry- I know the Captain is in good hands!” 

The first of the three part series is drawn by Canadian superstar Marcus To (The Flash, Red Robin, Joyride) and features a cover by David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight, Avengers, Ultimate X-Men).  

The issue also includes an 8-page backup story- Die Kitty Die: Summer Beach Party created, written and illustrated by Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz of Archie Comics fame. 

I'm a little bit behind on my Captain material at the moment but plan to catch up over the holidays. Solicitation text for other books seems to indicate that the Captain will be M.I.A. for a while, hence the focus on the women of Agents of PACT and some of the other Chapterverse books that are coming soon. Doing a Year One story while we wait for his glorious return, rather than leaving him on the sidelines, just makes sense.

Full March 2017 solicitations should be available soon.

Captain Canuck Novel Coming Soon

I guess I'll be adding a page specific to prose.

First Comics News is a great friend to Chapterhouse Books, regularly displaying the publisher's monthly solicitations and frequently reviewing issues of its various titles. FCN posted Chapterhouse's December releases earlier this week and while the next issue in the Captain Canuck comics series wasn't to be seen, it did include a prose novel.

Neil Dougherty kicks off the Captain Canuck novels with The Terror Birds!

Answering a scrambled distress call from an old friend launches Canuck and Kebec into a maelstrom of violence triggering a race against time to foil a terrorist attack. Backed by a fanatical North Korea hell bent on revenge, Goldcorps’ sinister special projects have pushed the dark frontiers of science and weaponized a prehistoric cyborg. Their target – the new Canadian Prime Minister’s first G8 summit in Ottawa. Equilibrium’s two top operators will need all their skill to stop the massacre on the Rideau and push their friendship to its limits as the duo cross Canada on their wildest and most outrageous outing yet.

The cover's quite cool, have a look below.

This is so good to hear. I became a big fan of the now-apparently-dormant Heroes Of The North a few years ago. A big part of their appeal and success, in my view, was that they were sharing their stories through multiple formats. I love that Chapterhouse is willing to utilize a variety of story-telling methods to get material out.

The scheduled release date is December 28th. I'm going to be clearing a little shelf space early in the new year.

Edit: This information wasn't available to me yesterday, but the novel is 160 pages and will be priced at $9.95.