CONDIE Richard

Born 1942 in Vancouver.

This Winnipeg based animator working for the National Film Board has won as of 1997, almost 40 national and international animation awards. Two of his features The Big Snit (1985) a fable about marital squabbling, Scrabble and nuclear war, and the computer-generated short La Salla (1997) were both nominated for Oscars. His reputation also rests on Getting Started (1979) a story of procrastination, and The Cat Came Back, an animated film based on the folk song of the same name.

He used both traditional and computerized animated techniques.

SOURCE:

Article book:

Cartoon Capers: The History of Canadian Animators. Writ., Karen Mazurkewich. McArthur & Co., 1999: 160-163.

Take One’s Essential Guide to Canadian Film. Ed., Wyndham Wise. University of Toronto Press 2001: “Condie Richard”: 48.

Article periodical:

Shift, July 1997: “The Great Animation Conspiracy”: 41.

Take One, Summer 1997: “A Night At The Opera: Richard Condie’s La Salla.” Writ., Pamela Cuthbert: 27-29.

COMMERCIAL SIGNS OF CANADA

See BELL FEATURES AND PUBLISHING Co.

COMMANDO COMICS

See

BELL FEATURES AND PUBLISHING CO.

ACE BRADLEY

CHICK TUCKER

CLIFT STEELE

INVISIBLE COMMANDO

SALTY LANE SECRET INVESTIGATOR

SIGN OF FREEDOM

WINGS OVER THE ATLANTIC

YOUNG COMMANDOS

COMMANDER STEEL

“Commander Steel along with “Red Rover” and “Dr. Destine” first appeared in Anglo-American Publications Co. Ltd. Grand Slam Comics vol. 3, no. 10, September 1944. According to Ed Furness, he was created by Les Gilpin, but it seems the initial inspiration came from a story from a U.S. writing pool. Furness remembered that he was a pretty successful character. This memory is supported by the fact that “Commander Steel” was usually the first story in Grand Slam Comics, and usually appeared on the cover.

“Jack Steel of the American army was fatally wounded by a German shell at the battle of El Alamein but a strange little scientist took the dying soldier to his cave laboratory and gave him his amazing elixir of life Jack Steel then arose a new and powerful man with the strength of ten.” (Was Gilpin acknowledging a debt to “Captain Marvel” through a sly reference to Dr. Sivana? Certainly “Commander Steel” shows influences from “Captain Marvel”.) “…now playing a lone hand for the United Nations, unable to find the place of his birth or his true nationality Commander Steel fights for all nations of the earth.” It is interesting that like “Freelance”, “Commander Steel” has no past that links him to a place.

MEDIUM:

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:                                                                          Published by Anglo-American Publishing Co.

Content serial:

Grand Slam Comics …: “Commander Steel …”. Contributors unidentified: … Black and white.

3-10, Sept.1944: “… The Ice Bombs Of Doom.”…: 1-16. 3-11, October 1944: “… Battles Death On The Alcan Highway”…: 3-16. 3-12, November 1944: “… in the Sinister Sargasso Sea”…: 3-16. 4-2, January 1945: “… Robombs Over China”…: 3-16. 4-3, February 1945: “… and the Synthetic Men”…: 3-16. 4-4, March 1945: “… in the Bering Straits”…: 19-27. 4-6: May 1945: “… The Fascist Fury”…: 3-16. 4-6 (actually 4-7), June 1945: “… with the I.P.S. (International Police Service”…: 3-16.

Grand Slam/Three Aces Comics …: “Commander Steel of the International Police Force …” Contributors unidentified. Colour interiors.
IV-45, August 1945: “… The Strong Box Mystery”…: 23-32 IV-46, Sept.1946: “… Versus The Nazi Guerillas”…: 11-20	IV-48, November 1945: No story. IV-49, December 1945: No story. IV-50, Jan. 1946: No story.

Grand Slam…: “Commander Steel of the International Police Force…” Contributors unidentified: …. Colour interiors.

V-51, February 1946: “… and the Lost Legion” …: 23-32. V-53, June/July 1946: “… and the Stolen Navy”…: 2-15 5-54, August/September 1946: “… and the Oil Plotters” …: 2-15. 5-55, October November 1946: “… and the Atomic Doom”: …: 2-15. : “… in Horror Hollow.” 38-47. 5-56, December/January 1946: “… Borders Of Villainy” …: 19-28.

Cover front:

Grand Slam Comics…. Illus., Unidentified. Two colour.
3-10, Sept.1944 3-11, October 1944 3-12, November 1944	4-2, January 1945 4-3, February 1945.	4-6: May 1945. 4-6 (actually 4-7), June 1945

Grand Slam Comics…. Illus., Unidentified. Full colour.
V-53, June/July 1946.	5-54, August/September 1946.

SOURCE:

Interview:

Ed Furness.

GALLERY

Grand Slam Comics, 4-6, May 1945: Front cover. “Commander Steel”

Grand Slam Comics, 4-6, May 1945: “Commander Steel: The Fascist Fury”: 3

Grand Slam/Three aces, IV-47, October 1945: Front cover. “Commander Steel”

Grand Slam Comics, 5-54: “Commander Steel and the Oil Plotters”: 14

COMIC PAGE FEATURES/COMIC BOOK WORLD Co.                                                Location: 3678 High Street, Halifax.

This appears to have been the enterprise of Rob Edmiston and Owen McCarron who created the booklets. The stories centered on Colonel Saunders and contained gift coupons for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Contents and covers were printed on pulp paper. The illustration and production values were adequate.

PRODUCT:

BOOK GRAPHIC ADVERTISING:

Colonel Saunders Comics, no. ,1, The Great Brain Robbery. Produced for Kentucky Fried Chicken by Rob Edmiston & Owen McCarron, Comic Page Features, Halifax, no date.

Colonel Saunders Comics, no. 2, The Not So Great Imposter. Produced for Kentucky Fried Chicken by Rob Edmiston & Owen McCarron, Comic Book World, Halifax, no date.

GALLERY:

COMIC LEGENDS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

Organized by Derek McCulloch, circa 1988 when the R.C.M.P. seized 192 comic books from the Comic Legends shop in Calgary and charged the owners Julie Warren , Darren Ott and Dale Clarke with circulating obscene materials. It published True North Comics which contained graphic material contributed by cartoonists from across Canada. It later published The True North II in general opposition to censorship.

PRODUCT:

BOOK GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

The True North Comics, Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund, 1988.

The True North Comics II, Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund, 1991.

GALLERY:

The True North, 1988. Front cover. “Cerebus” Illus., Dave Sim.

COMIC LAB PRESS                                                                                                          Location 43 Saint Marks Road, Toronto, Ontario                                                                Owner/Publisher: Sean Menard.

Comic Lab Press, through which a group of freelance writers and illustrators created and published the comic book Low Society, was organized and financed by Sean Menard. Earlier he was administratively connected to the Toronto Cartoonists Workshop, helping to organize classes. Shortly after Dragon Lady on Queen Street closed in February 2012 he with Kevin Boyd opened The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery on College Street. It included a store and art gallery which hosted exhibits, a school and a print shop.  Whether this operation had any connection other than Sean to the Comic Lab is unclear. The contact address for Comic Lab Press was the residence address given above.

Sean had the idea of taking an iconic Canadian cartoon character and having a number of authors create stories each featuring their version of the character. Apparently, the character chosen first was “Captain Canuck” which at the time was not being published. However, this didn’t happen as “Captain Canuck” was picked up by Chapterhouse Comics and eventually reappeared on the newsstands in 2015. Enter Rob Walton, a graduate of Toronto Cartoonists Workshop who had heard Dave Sim mention on a program that since “Cerebus” was completed he would permit anyone to use his character. Months later in listening to Sean talk about his project Rob mentioned what he had heard. Sean agreed “Cerebus” would be a good character. Rob contacted Dave and an agreement was negotiated. Eleven artists nearly all graduates of Toronto Cartoonists Workshop did six stories and three illustrations. Ron Kasman was given the job of lettering all the stories being paid with the opportunity to draw one of the stories and about a hundred free comics. The cover was drawn by Gerhard while each participating cartoonist and illustrator was assigned the task of inserting his version of “Cerebus”. Dave Sim did the inking. The resulting anthology received good distribution and sold well. There were no further publications.

n May 2015, The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery changed to an online service. Later Kevin now sole owner transitioned it to a consulting business. Meanwhile, Sean Menard emerged as director/producer  of the  documentary Fighter Mom, 2016 (about professional Mixed Martial Fighter Michelle Waterson) followed by The Carter Effect, 2017 (about Vince Carter when he played for the Toronto Raptors), 299 Queen Street West, 2023 (about Much Music) and Run Terry Run, 2025 (about Terry Fox). In 2025 he launched the TV series Sneaker Room.

PRODUCT:

BOOKLET GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY:

Content story black & white & Cover front black & white:

Low Society, Ed., Rob Walton. 2013:                                                                                           “Earth Pig Reborn.” Writ., Devon Wong. Illus., Ron Kasman. 3-8.                                     “Everything.” Writ., Sam Noir. Illus., Rina Rozsas: 9-14.                                                     “Cerebus 700: That Was Then This Is Now.” Car., Rob Walton:15-20.                               “The Sound of One Hand Honking.” Writ., Oliver Ho. Illus., Dylan Kloepfer: 21-26.           “Morning Stroll.” Writ., Jesse Saunders. Illus., Anthony Smerek: 27-32.                             “Legacy AKA: Issue 300.1.” Writ., Jamie Bullock. Illus., Dave Sim: 33-38.                          All lettering done by Ron Kasman.

SOURCE:

Article booklet:

Low Society, Low Society. 2013: “A word from the Editor”: Inside front cover.

Email:

Ron Kasman to Robert MacMillan, 28 February 2025.

GALLERY:

Low Society, 2013: Front cover.

This humorous opening story also outlines what this project is trying to achieve.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 3.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 4.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 5.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 6.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 7.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 8.

Low Society,2013: “Earth Pig Reborn.”: 9.

Low Society,2013: “Legacy AKA: Issue 300.1.”: 38.                                                          This is the poignant ending to “Legacy AKA: Issue 300.1” for the full story see CEREBUS THE AARDVARK.

 

COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL

See SPHINX PRODUCTIONS

COMELY Richard

1975 to 1976 living in Winnipeg Richard did the first 3 issues of Captain Canuck in association with George Freeman and Jean Claude St. Aubin.[i]

In September 1976 Richard moved to Cardston Alberta. George and Jean Claude accompanied him. He ran a community weekly newspaper there. In six months all three moved to Calgary. [i]

“Captain Canuck; A Christmas Story” by Richard Comely and George Freeman was a two page layout that appeared in two newspapers, The Albertan’s Mirror North Side December 20, 1977 and The Albertan’s Mirror South Side December 21, 1977.

From 1979 new investors behind CKR published Captain Canuck issues 4 to 14 plus the Summer Special. The operation ended in 1981. Issue 15 was completed but was not published until 2004 when Richard published it independently. [i]

“Captain Canuck – Power Play, Gold City and Blackwater” were all done at the same time in 1980 as samples to promote a comic strip. They are independent stories and have no chronology among them that is they can be arranged in any sequence. “Power Play” Comely and Freeman did 4 pages with 18 sample days and a synopsis of the rest of the story. “City of Gold”, Comely and Freeman did a 6 day story that ran in 3 newspapers in 1980. “Black Water” Comely and Freeman did a series of Sunday panels. Panel 1 appeared in Captain Canuck The Summer Special advertising it as the first weekend comic page for the proposed newspaper strip.

George Freeman returned to Winnipeg Manitoba.

After CKR ended, Comely himself created and published two black magazines under the title Star Rider and the Peace Machine (July 1982, October 1982) [i]

In 1985 Comely moved to Cambridge Ontario where he illustrated children’s books and greeting cards and did some advertising and film work. [i]

In 1993 Comely launched Captain Canuck again under a new series name Captain Canuck Reborn. In this series the Captain Canuck role is filled by a new character Darren Oakes who has a villainous older brother Nathan. This model will be approximately repeated during the Chapter House Comics years. The Catman figure is now Manuel (Manny) Ferrara. Darren Oakes partner was Daniel. Issues 0 to 2 of this periodical were blended into the cartoon strip collection that is Issue 4.

From 1995 to 1996 (approximately 18 months) the Captain Canuck comic strip appeared in 8 newspapers: one in each of P.E.I., Cambridge, Guelph, North Bay, Ottawa (The Citizen) Sudbury all in Ontario and Brandon Manitoba.[i] (Note that Captain Canuck Reborn no. 3, 1996 was composed of newspaper comic strips 128 to 344. [i]

Also see CANADA POST COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

CAPTAIN CANUCK

WORK:

CARTOONIST:

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:

Content:

Serial:

“Captain Canuck: Arctic Standoff.” Captain Canuck, l-1, July 1975.

“ Captain Canuck: The Brain Machine.” Col., George Freeman: Captain Canuck, 1-2, 1975: 1-14.

“Captain Canuck: The Canadian Connection.” Captain Canuck, 1-3, 1975: 1-14.

“Captain Canuck Reborn.” Captain Canuck Reborn Prelude Issue, 0, Sept. 1993. Black & white mini-comic format.

“Captain Canuck Reborn.” Col., Corey Comely. Captain Canuck Reborn Prelude Issue 0, Sept. 1993. Same comic, regular coloured comic book format,

“Captain Canuck Reborn.” Pen. (1-21, 28-29), Leonard Kirk. Colo., R. Comely. Captain Canuck Reborn. 1-1, Jan. 1994.

“Captain Canuck Reborn.” Pen. (1-21, 28-29), Leonard Kirk. Colo., R. Comely. Captain Canuck Reborn. 1-1, Jan. 1994. Collector’s Edition (with cards). No. 1.

“Captain Canuck Reborn.” Pen.(2-19), Leonard Kirk. In.(2-19), Eric Theriault. Captain Canuck Reborn., 1-2, July 1994.

“Captain Canuck Reborn (collected newspaper cartoon strips) Strips 293 – 304, penciled by Sandy Carruthers. Captain Canuck Reborn, 1-3, 1996.

“Star Rider and the Peace Machine.” Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-1, July 1982: 4-15.

“Star Rider and the Peace Machine.” Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-2, Oct. 1982: 3-16.

TEAM EFFORT:

BOOK GRAPHIC COLLECTION:

Content:

Serial:

Captain Canuck, vol. 1. Collected Captain Canuck from the Calgary period. Idea & Design Works Publishing, June 2009.

Captain Canuck, vol. 2. Collected Captain Canuck from the Calgary period.Idea & Design Works Publishing, Dec. 2009.

Captain Canuck. Compendium 1975 – 1981. Collected the first 14 issues of Captain Canuck. Chapter House Comics, July 2015.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:

Content:

Serial

“Behind the Mask.” Writ..R. Comely. Illus. , G. Freeman. Col., G. Freeman & Jean Claude St Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1- 4, July-Aug.1979: 1-18.

“Planet Earth 1994.” Car., R. Comely. Captain Canuck, 1-5, Aug.-Sept.1979:1-20.

“Trap of Gold: The Search.” Writ., Pen., Colo.& Let., R. Comely In.& Colo., G.Freeman. Captain  Canuck: 1-6, Oct.-Nov. 1979: 1-18.

“Ruse.” Writ., R. Comely. Illus., G. Freeman. Captain Canuck, 1-7, Dec.-Jan. 1979.: 1-18.

“Space Watch Death Watch: pt 1.” Writ. & Illus., G. Freeman. Writ. & Let., R. Comely. Col., G. Freeman & J.C. St. Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-8, Feb.-Mar.1980:1-18.

“Space Watch Death Watch: pt 2.” Writ.& Let., R. Comely. Illus., G. Freeman. Col., J.C. St. Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-9, Apr.-May 1980:1-18.

“Masquerade.” Writ.& Let., R. Comely. Illus., Co-colo., G. Freeman. Co-col., J.C. St. Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-10, July-Aug. 1980: 1-18.

“Chariots of Fire: ch. 1, Operation Extermination.” Writ., R. Comely. Pen., Co-in.& Col., G. Freeman. Co-in. & Colo., J.C. St Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-11, Sept.-Oct. 1980: 1-18.

“Chariots of Fire: ch. 2, Time Factor.” Co-writ., R. Comely. Co-writ., & Illus., G. Freeman. Captain Canuck, 1-12, Nov.-Dec. 1980: 1-18.

“Chariots of Fire: ch. 3, “Exiles.” Co-writ., R. Comely. Co-writ. & Illus., G. Freeman. Let., & Colo., J.C. St Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-13, Jan.-Feb. 1981: 1-26.

“Fire-Fight.” Cart., G. Freeman. Let. & Col., J.C. St Aubin. Captain Canuck, 1-14, Mar.- Apr.1981: 1-19.

Captain Canuck, 1-15, Not published. Manuscript only.

“Premonition.” Writ., Pen., In., Colo. & Let., R. Comely. In. & Let., Ron Kasman. Col., Jordan Comely & Shane Drever. Captain Canuck: Legacy, pt.1 of 4, Sept./Oct. 2006..

Artist showcase. Writ., Pen., In., Let., Col., R. Comely. In., Let., Ron Kasman. Col., Jordan Comely & Shane Drever. Captain Canuck: Legacy, 1of 4 Part Series, Special Edition signed by R. Comely, dated August 2006 and numbered 656 of 1000. Sept./Oct. 2006.                                                                                                                               No more parts published.

ILLUSTRATOR:

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC;

Cover:

Front: Captain Canuck, l-1, July 1975.

Front. Captain Canuck, 1-2, 1975.

Front. Captain Canuck, 1-3,1975..

Front: Captain Canuck, 1-5, Aug.-Sept.1979.

Front: Captain Canuck Reborn Prelude Issue, 0, Sept. 1993. Print. Regular Comic format.

Front: Captain Canuck Reborn 1, Jan. 1994..

Front: Captain Canuck Reborn 1, Jan. 1994. Collector’s Edition No. 1.

Front: Captain Canuck Reborn, 1-2, July 1994.

Front: Captain Canuck Reborn, 1-3, 1996.

PERIODICAL TEXT & GRAPHIC:

Cover:

Front: Orion, 1-1, Summer 1981.

Front: The Walrus. Feb. 2007.

PENCILLER:

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:

Cover:

Front: In., Drue Langlois. Captain Canuck – Unholy War,1, Oct. 2004.

WRITER:

BOOK GRAPHIC:

Content:

Story graphic:

“Captain Canuck Enter The Crime Stopper.” Pen., Tom Grummett. In., G. Freeman. Col. G. Freeman & Laurie Smith. Captain Canuck Enter Crime Stopper, 1 Mac’s, Jan. 2016. In association with Ontario Crime Stoppers Association of Ontario and Mac’s Milk.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:

Content:

Serial:

“Beyond.” Illus. & Col., J. C. St. Aubin. Let., R. Comely. Capt. Canuck, 23-30, Apr./May 1980.

“Beyond.” Illus., Col.& Let., J. C. St. Aubin. Capt. Canuck, 1-10, July/Aug. 1980: 25-31.

“Beyond.” Illus., Col. & Let., J. C. St. Aubin. Capt. Canuck,1-11, Sept./Oct. 1980: 23-30.

See below under CO-WRITER.

“True North.” Illus., & Let., G. Freeman. Col., G. Freeman & L. E. Smith. Captain Canuck Summer Special #1 Canada Day Edition, 2014.

Serial cartoon strip:

“Blackwater: A sneak preview of the Captain Canuck comic strip:.” Illus., G. Freeman. Captain Canuck, First Summer Special, July-Sept. 1980: 15.

Story:

“Monster Mentality.” Illus., J.C. St. Aubin. Captain Canuck, First Summer Special, July-Sept. 1980:11-14.

“The Money Run.” Illus., G. Freeman. Colo., J.C. St. Aubin. Let., R. Comely. Captain Canuck, First Summer Special, July-Sept. 1980: 16-25.

“Nightmares.” Pen., G. Freeman. In., J.C. St Aubin, Verne Andrusiek & G. Freeman. Colo., J.C. St. Aubin & G. Freeman. Let., R. Comely. Captain Canuck, First Summer Special, July-Sept. 1980: 37-63.

PERIODICAL TEXT & GRAPHIC:

Content:

Serial:

“Steel Chameleon.” Illus., Royston Evans. Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-1, July 1982: 47-56.

“Steel Chameleon.” Illus., Royston Evans. Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-2, Oct. 1982: 39-55.

“The Raft.” Illus. Tom Grummett. Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-1, July 1982: 17-28.

“The Raft.” Illus. Tom Grummett. Star Rider and the Peace Machine, 1-2, October 1982: 19-35′                                                                                                              (Incomplete).

CO-WRITER:

BOOK GRAPHIC COLLECTION:

Content:

Serial:

Beyond: The Meadan Quest. Includes first six published episodes Captain Canuck 9-12, 14, plus unpublished episode 7. Two new episodes by writer R. Comely, illustrator G. Freeman and colourist Laurie Smith complete the story. Chapter House Comics, 2015.

PERIODICAL GRAPHIC:

Content:

Serial:

“Beyond.” Co-writ., G. Freeman & J.C. Aubin. Illus., J. C. St Aubin. Capt. Canuck, 1-12, Nov./Dec. 1980: 22-29.

R. Comely stops participating. See FREEMAN George & ST AUBIN, Jean-Claude for the more of this series.

Story graphic:

“The Filler.” Co-writ., J.C. St. Aubin. Illus., J.C. St. Aubin. Captain Canuck, First Summer Special,

July-Sept. 1980: 27-31.

OWNER/PUBLISHER:

Comely Comix Ltd.

Comely Communications Ltd.

Star Rider Productions Ltd.

SOURCE:

Book graphic:

“Forward.” Beyond: The Meadan Quest. Writ., R. Comely. Chapter House Comics, 2015: 1.

Periodical text:

“Orion Interview: A Conversation with Richard Comely by Mark Shainblum.” Interviewer, Mark Shainblum. Orion, 1-1, Summer 1981: 16-22.

Interview:

Richard Comely July 16, 2007 at his home in Cambridge Ontario.

 

COMEAU Michael

He received a 2012 Doug Wright Pigskin Peters Award for Hellberta.

WORK:

CARTOONIST:

BOOK GRAPHIC:

Content memoir & comment & Cover book front & back:

Hellberta: Bk. 1. Jesgit Gill, 2012. Limited Edition 346/350.

BOOK GRAPHIC COLLECTION:

Content memoir & comment & Cover book front & back:

Hellberta 2007-2014: Collected Books 1-3. Jesgit Gill, circa 2016.

PERIODICAL TEXT & GRAPHIC:

Content story graphic:

Descant, 164, Spring 2014: “Once Upon Spadina”: 178-183.