EDMONTON — Captain Canuck, the iconic Canadian superhero, is back in the spotlight as he celebrates his 50th anniversary. Created by Richard Comely in the mid-1970s, Captain Canuck has become a symbol of Canadian pride and resilience. This year, Comely toured the country to commemorate the character's milestone.

The superhero is known for his unique approach to confronting challenges, including a recent cover that depicts him facing off against a red-tied Republican, reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Comely designed this cover during Trump's first term, and it gained renewed attention when Trump was re-elected. "When tariffs were being threatened and annexation was being threatened on us by Trump, (my publisher) said, 'You’ve got to do something similar,'" Comely explained in an interview.

The cover features Captain Canuck in red and white spandex, gripping Trump’s upper arm while wagging a finger. Comely noted, "He’s not being overtly violent. He’s telling (Trump), 'We’re not going to put up with this.'" An empty speech bubble invites readers to add their own messages, turning the comic into a form of protest art. Fans have suggested phrases like, "Apologize, you orange Muppet," and "Poutine, not Putin," referencing Trump's relationship with Russia.

Comely expressed his satisfaction with how people have connected with Captain Canuck. "A lot of Canadians are looking at Captain Canuck as a symbol of greater independence, of greater resilience and even defiance against the United States," he said.

The character first appeared in May 1975, created during a time of heightened Canadian patriotism as the nation celebrated its centennial. Comely, then in his 20s and living in Winnipeg, teamed up with artist Ron Leishman to create a superhero that represented Canada. "I got a loan for $8,000," Comely recalled. "I started working on it in late 1974."

Despite having no prior experience in comic book creation, Comely learned quickly. The first issue introduced Tom Evans, a Mountie who gains super strength from aliens. The story was set in the futuristic year of 1993. Comely admitted, "The first issue, it’s hard to look at. It looks old-fashioned, the story’s kind of clumsy, and I had critics tell me that." Nevertheless, the comic sold well, with stores frequently running out of copies.

Over the years, Captain Canuck has faced various villains, including aliens, mad scientists, and corrupt politicians. Comely faced challenges in production, often running out of money. "I ran out of money, twice!" he laughed. Printing costs in Canada were high, leading him to seek cheaper options in the U.S.

Despite the ups and downs, Captain Canuck remained relevant through newspaper features and reprints. The character has evolved, with different alter egos over the decades, but his core values of protection and support for the underdog have remained intact. Comely described him as a "boy scout" who wants to help others.

Captain Canuck has also expanded into merchandise, including T-shirts and action figures. He has appeared on the cover of Time magazine and even received his own postage stamp. However, he has yet to make it to Hollywood, despite interest from American companies. Comely noted, "They would always come back with, 'Captain Canuck is not well enough known in the U.S.'" Interestingly, 80 percent of Captain Canuck comic book sales occur in the U.S.

Looking ahead, Comely is excited about the future of Captain Canuck. He hinted at a possible documentary and biography, as well as a collaboration with Archie Comics planned for 2026. "(After) all those comebacks, we got a little stronger every time," he said. "Every time we came back, we gained a little more speed."