The art on this comic book is sometimes crude, and the script is occasionally awkward and oversimplified. The characters are completely lacking in any kind of edge, and part of me wants to write it off as amateurish. But I can't, because there's a goofy charm to be found in the matter-of-fact nature of the plot and dialogue. No, dear readers, my affection for the material doesn't stem from my status as a proud Canadian. Even though this is set in Vancouver, think of the Langlois' efforts here as an interpretation of the super-hero in a small-town setting. They pay tribute to the classic Captain Canuck comics of yesteryear while offering an accessible story about a new character.
David Semple is an RCMP officer stationed in Surrey, British Columbia, but he's not like other officers. He's also recently embarked upon another crime-fighting career as the new Captain Canuck. Why? Because he's always wanted to be a super-hero. Aided by his partner and his RCMP mentor, Captain Canuck sets his sights on Mister Gold, the albino leader of the Unholy Avengers, a biker gang running underworld crime in Vancouver. Gold is believed to have died years before, but Cap has discovered he's alive and well and more dangerous than ever.
Drue Langlois's art is fairly basic in tone. He tells the story capably, and he has a strong eye for movement. Still, his work looks as though it could use a little more polish. He's got a good eye for anatomy for the basic male frame, but he falters a little when he strays away from that basic character design. The colors are strong here, adding a lot of texture to the art. They're quite bright, and that's in keeping with the lighter tone of the script. This looks and feels like a super-hero comic from the 1970s or '80s.
What's lacking here is motivation. Why David Semple opts to don a colorful costume and hunt criminals, putting him at odds with fellow cops, is never made clear. We're told he just felt a pull to do something, but one could argue he's already achieved that by becoming a cop. A piece of the puzzle is missing here, but there's no indication the creators are aware there's a gap to fill.
Making up for that shortcoming is the satire of super-hero conventions. The hero's best friend figures out his secret identity without even trying. It's obvious, and it was entertaining to see that genre formula disposed of so quickly. There's also a straightforward charm to the book that comes off as truly unique -- goofy, but unique. It's entertaining for adults, but it's also suitable for younger readers. The creators aren't taking things too seriously here, and that's a wise choice.
