Canuck Comics

by John Bell (editor)

English
French

Genres: Nonfiction, Comics

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

John Bell is a Lunenburg-based author and editor specializing in Canadian history, literature, and popular culture. A former editor of the poetry magazine Arc, John has contributed to The Literary Review of Canada, Event, This Magazine, Canadian Literature, and many other Canadian and American periodicals. As well, his work has appeared in The Canadian Encyclopedia and more than two dozen anthologies. He has also edited numerous anthologies and collections for Pottersfield Press and other publishers. During his nearly thirty-year career as a senior archivist at the National Archives, John served as the curator or co-curator of several major exhibitions and websites

Reviews

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

During WWII US comics were not allowed to be imported into Canada. As a result several publishers put out Canadian produced comics. Some simply reprinted US material while others produced original stories. There are still comics being published today in Canada, though not necessarily at the same level of output. This book covers pretty much the entire history of Canadian comics, though not with the detail I would like to have seen. There are two historical overviews, one for English comics and one for Francophone comics. Both are well written, and both are way to brief. As well there is a comprehensive listing of comic books published in Canada, from the glory days of the forties up to the present time. Prices are included for the comics, though Bell states he had not originally intended to include prices. He was overruled by his publisher, who insisted on prices as the book would actually sell better if the prices were there. I have used this book frequently when indexing comics on another site. It isn't complete but it is useful. It also makes for interesting reading at times (does anyone out there have the same recollection I did when I saw one book entitled "Fuddle Duddle"). All in all a good book to add to your reference shelf on comic books Books on Canadian comics are few and far between and this one isn't a bad one by any means.

[Jessie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the beginning of Canadian comic both English and French.