Chapter House Comics

Website: chapterhouse.ca

Style Classification: Cohesive Universe (sorta)

Notable Works: Captain Canuck

Story:

Chapter House is the current publisher of the Captain Canuck stories and stable of characters. This makes it a self contained, cohesive universe. It does look like there are a few characters and titles from Chapter House that aren't part of the Capt Canuck's so-called "Chapterverse", but still, the Captain Canuck world is pretty neat.

The first appearance was back in 1975, when Richard Comely unleashed his Canadian-themed hero upon the Great North:

He was often confused with Marvels similarly-Canadian themed Guardian from Chris Claremont's "Alpha Flight:"

Captain Canuck resurfaced in '9, being published by Semple Comics, whomever they are:

Back again in the early aughts, his outfit has slightly changed:

A miniseries changed the look even further:

And that brings us to the Chapter House license (if that's what you could call it):

Canuck is back to beefy, and now with a futuristic suit to boot.

To come along with the Captain is Northguard, hopefully not the Boo-Boo to his Yogi:

Canadians like comics, too!

Livewire (Almost) Gets Her Own Title at Valiant

Livewire, the teletechnopath and psiot who can control machines, has long been a fan favorite for Valiant. As a strong, black woman character, she's also a bit of a rarity on the superhero-books shelves this side of Storm.

Her importance to the Valiant universe is seen through her leading of their multi-hero team Unity, and while she was featured in the company's "Imperium", she hasn't had her own book.

Until now, sort of. She heads a team of misfits, kids who's powers are not exactly perfect for fighting crime or war. Or creating peace, as it were.

Livewire has more faith in them and considers the assembly Secret Weapons. The book is being written by Oscar-nominated writer Eric Heisserer and the previews look great. Raul Allen's pencil work is quietly spectacular. 

I think it's cool that Valiant is finding ways to dust off some of the old titles in the property. My first experience with the title back in the '90s was due to issue 5 having the third appearance of Ninjak:

 

As fantastic as a solo titled Livewire book would be, the company has earned the benefit of the doubt, from me at least. They follow The Story with a vigorous energy that's inspiring, and with little regard to the blowing of the popular winds.

(Also: I want to thank the decision makers for ultimately giving me the opportunity to show off a 24 year old memory---being excited for Ninjak's 3rd appearance.)

Hot Jazz: March 2017

What I'm looking forward to in March from outside my usual suspects in the indie comics world is Matt Kindt's and Tyler Jenkin's "Grass Kings," being published by Boom! Studios:

Matt Kindt is one of the best writers working in the industry today, and the combination of his story of people on the margins of society being forced to create a society, with complex protagonists and antagonists, and what appear to be lush watercolors from Jenkins has drawn me in.

This is the kind of story that is so different from the mainstream that I'm inspired to purchase it for myself and others, folks who aren't really comic folks.