Canada's forgotten superheroes finally get their cape moment.
Film accompanying the book of the same name by Nelvana Enterprises founders Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert, with partner Clive Smith as designer and illustrator. It looks at the "Canadian Whites" series of comic books made during World War II, with some focus on Nelvana of the Northern Lights, the genre's first superheroine, and Johnny Canuck. It was accompanied by a two-year travelling tour of the art, the National Gallery of Canada's "Comic Art Traditions in Canada, 1941–45". This is Nelvana Enterprises' first film.
Production
Literally the birth of Nelvana — before Care Bears existed.
Direction
Founders directing their own company's origin myth.
Director
Patrick Loubert
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film essentially launched Nelvana, which would become Canada's largest animation studio — responsible for literally everything from Rock & Rule to The Fairly OddParents to Paw Patrol.
The accompanying National Gallery tour was the first time 'comic art' had ever been exhibited there — and this scrappy 24-minute doc helped legitimize an entire medium in Canadian institutions.
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