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!

Captain Canuck is back in a brand new volume that’s a continuation of what’s come before and serves as a decent jumping on point for new readers. Writer Kalman Andrasofszky delivers a “debut” issue that has Captain Canuck retired in a way, walking away from what he saw as needless escalation and a focus on protecting the “haves.” That part to me is the most interesting and Adrasofszky subtlely puts in some Canadian history and politics into it all that might not be apparent for non-Canadian readers. Talk of First Nation and areas left behind has really kicked up recently in Canada and this issue is no stranger to addressing that and in a way may create an even bigger way for Canada’s hero to stand out from his American counterparts. Go small instead of big.

The issue is set up though with an alien incursion threatening and we don’t get Captain Canuck in suit battling away. Instead the issue is a lot of background, which isn’t bad as it’s an easy way to catch up even for long time readers. So, those looking for the Maple Leaf to do battle will be dissapointed but instead what we get is a tension build up of a comic that’ll hopefully lead to something really interesting.

The art by Leonard Kirk is solid as it bounces around in locations and situations. Quieter talks, high-tech bases, alien battles, it’s all here and it flows effortlessly in a way that’s dynamic and entertaining. The art like the writing is engaging and helps draw the reader in.

Basically, this is a comic without it’s lead character in many ways and feels a little like when Captain America walked away from his title, which isn’t a bad thing. The issue builds to what I assume is an eventual return and more importantly builds the world that is the Chapterverse, an under the radar superhero universe that’s one that should be checked out.

Story: Kalman Andrasofszky Art: Leonard Kirk Cover: John Gallagher
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.85 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Chapterhouse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review