Enrique Gili is a freelance writer covering Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (Superhero comic books, although they base their psychological appeal on childhood power fantasies, are almost always nationalist allegories. Just as in the Middle Ages the king's body was a microcosm for the nation he ruled, so in modern times the superhero's mighty strength is an embodiment of national will. Johnny Canuck spoke to the self-flattering belief that Canada's efforts were crucial for defeating Hitler.
The link between superheroes and nationalism is one lesson that can be gleaned from John Bell's Invaders from the North: How Canada Conquered the Comic Book Universe. ( Literary Review Canada)
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Comments
CanAda? We have Alpha Flight - which included Wolverine, BTW.
Posted by: pough | June 21, 2007 01:03 PM
Ah, but Canada does have superheroes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_flight
Posted by: Trevor McKee | June 21, 2007 01:08 PM
Canada has super heros. What about Captain Canuck (no relation to Johnny) and the Alpha Team? Not as popular as Spider-Man or the Fantastic 4 mind you, but they are there.
Posted by: Dave S. | June 21, 2007 01:14 PM
Don't quite get this and the references don't make it clearer. The Invaders from the North is about comic authors really. And actually Canada can claim one of the most popular "superheroes" in the last 20 years, with multiple big movies, etc. Wolverine of course.
Posted by: Markk | June 21, 2007 01:15 PM
Canada can boast of inventing the very first superhero - Joe Shuster created Superman. :)
Posted by: Sandra | June 22, 2007 02:04 AM