Welcome back to Comic Comparisons; the segment that examines two similar processes about comics. Today’s a more unique case as it combines with the World Comics segment. We’ll be looking at two comic publishers from countries that dominate the northern hemisphere through crowdfunding. In Canada, a number of writers and artists have made their debut; Jeff Lemire, Jim Zub, and Max Dunbar to name a few. But so far most of the publishers aside from Aardvark-Vanaheim can’t manage to stay afloat. That is until Chapterhouse comes in with its own universe and stand-alone stories. On the other side is Russia, a country that usually appears in media in unsavory ways. However, Artem Gabrelyanov manages to create Bubble Comics, it even produces a few live-action short films on its characters.
Canada’s Chapterhouse
Some people have probably heard about Canada’s premiere superhero Captain Canuck. No, not the hockey player Trevor Lindon. Originally, the Captain’s creation comes in reaction to the block on imports after World War II. With no competition from America’s Silver Age, Richard Comely and Ron Leishman help fill the void. Essentially the character is a Canadian Captain America, embodying the beliefs and values of his country. Canuck’s usual feats tend to be against aliens instead of Nazis though.
However getting the captain just right seems to take a long time as Canuck’s adventures have sporadic releases. Also when the block lifts… competition from more mainstream American imports dominate the scene. Like most indie comics the Captain falls into obscurity.
The Legacy
Around the time of Canuck’s seemingly last issue, two sides of the border present characters to continue Canada’s comic mark. In Marvel is Alpha Flight, a team of Canadian superheroes that Wolverine comes from. Back in Canada comes Northguard, another patriotic character. Unlike Canuck, he is a comic fan who fights threats from inside the border. He becomes so well known he and his colleague Fleur de Lys get their faces on postage stamps. But like the Captain he falls into obscurity. Canada won’t take it lying down however and by the modern era adapts to times.
The Chapterhouse Chapterverse
With changing times comes the need to adapt and compete, so some creators decide to pool their resources. The first comes from an IndieGoGo campaign for a web series featuring a redesign for Captain Canuck. Eventually all of those resources give rise to Chapterhouse, featuring old and new characters for a modern audience. Spearheading this new universe are veterans Captain Canuck and Northguard, but new heroes like the Pitiful Human-Lizard earn their spotlight with them. The Chapterverse also includes American-born content such as Fantomah.
But the Chapterverse isn’t the only attraction of Chapterhouse Publishing. There is plenty of creator exclusive content as well. The most notable of which is by long time Archie duo Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz. It’s rather surprising how a few fans in one country can allow a creator to make connections. In fact Die, Kitty, Die is a satirical take on long running comic characters; more specifically how killing them off generates more sales. It’s everything both creators have from their experience with long running franchises. New or old, the most important part is using what you have for recognition.
From Russia With Love
Journalist Artem Gabrelyanov has a family reputation thanks to his father Aram, a nationalist tabloid. However rather than live in his father’s shadow, he decides to show comics that represent Russia. With Bubble Comics’ founding in 2011, Artem and his team of creators bring out Russia’s most successful media. For five years they produce quality content; ranging from the rise and fall of Major Grom to the mystic battles of Demonslayer.
Not wanting to limit content to the borders, Bubble releases issues to Comixology. These first few issues allow comic fans to get a taste of Bubble Comics firsthand. This proves to be an effective strategy for their Kickstarter campaign of their most reader friendly series, Exlibrium. It’s essentially Fables meets the Legends of Tomorrow TV show. Thanks to this, Bubble becomes an international hit. But there is always room for more.
From Storyboards to Motion Pictures
Becoming Russia’s biggest comic publisher just isn’t enough for these visionaries. More recently, they opened up a movie studio in St. Petersburg. Bubble Studios with backing from News Media Holdings makes cinema with its characters. On its first attempt, they create a short film basing the premise on Major Grom.
Major Grom is a step in the right direction for first impressions. The comics present this very down to earth and moral character. Igor Grom is a brilliant detective, a martial artist, and enjoys shawarma with friends. He’s also a cowboy and has trouble keeping track of schedules including dates with his girlfriend. Overall he’s an entertaining character.
The film itself is an interesting introduction to Igor. It even captures the feeling of the comic itself. Action packed, humorous, with a little drama sprinkled in as things go forward. As a film the production feels thought out. Originally only 7 minutes long, this half-hour short becomes an action-packed proof of concept. The film makes use of practical effects and the first use of 360 cameras in Russian cinema. Compare this to the critical and box office failure Guardians and its heavy use of CGI.
And it’s not stopping anytime soon; the film has a follow-up in Major Grom: Plague Doctor, adapting the first 10 issues of the comics.
Bubble Comics or Chapterhouse
Canada’s Got More than Maple Syrup
Previously I mention how Chapterhouse features a superhero universe full of characters. Captain Canuck while not the most compelling character is still a fun time for casual fans for its action movie format. Others like The Pitiful Human-Lizard bring a sense of depth and atmosphere with very human characters who handle situations realistically. Along with them are Agents of P.A.C.T. and Fallen Suns to expand the universal scope. Classic re-render characters like Fantomah and Lance Valiant also help decorate other parts of the Chapterverse.
Chapterhouse’s Freelance publications meanwhile include more than the superheroes of the main house. Aside from Die Kitty Die, other series like Life, Death, and Sorcery introduce creators to the world. While quality varies, each has an enjoyable pass time for a reader. Much like Canada itself, Chapterhouse is honest and full of humility. The creators are willing to make mistakes and learn from them. That is until more recent times.
The Lev Gleason Era
At an unspecified time, the remains of the Lev Gleason publications acquire the stocks of Chapterhouse. This is to the point where Chapterhouse’s website doesn’t even have its name in the URL. Arguably it is because of this buyout that Chapterhouse gets more mainstream attention. But with this only the core Chapterverse gets any attention with most emphasis going into the sensationalist aspects; like an adventure of a displaced Captain Canuck in space. That and the legacy of the company’s founder Lev Gleason and his creation the Death-Defying Devil. Any further developments are currently behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.
Bubble Comics: As Versatile as Home
Bubble Comics meanwhile doesn’t focus on heroes who can do anything; but pushing these characters to their absolute limit. Comics are a medium that do not have as many restrictions as television does. The artwork on display shows quality and the writing displays dedication to the craft. Ever since the first few series, they show a very human side to characterization.
In Grom’s stories alone, the originally light heart encompassing the series begins to show darker shades. From corruption to mental illness, the very real and very deep stories strike the heart. The other series have worlds that build on their own. Complementing those worlds are compelling characters with the sense of struggle. They are a part of those mesmerizing worlds but they are still outsiders.
Yet that is exactly what makes Bubble Comics’ series so unique. These are not the colorful super-heroic champions of justice; these are very real people with issues and struggles to overcome. Sometimes they even get to their lowest points. But it’s the fight to keep going that really appeals to the audiences. Bubble is also not afraid to have LGBT characters in their content despite Russian laws prohibiting that representation. The company also goes to great lengths to secure its financial independence by selling their comics all but exclusively through their website and apps in different languages. Just be sure to tell how much rubles are in whatever currency you use.
Pure Burning Passion
Ultimately these publishers share one important aspect, the passions to stand out. In other World Comics post, I mention it is difficult to compete with major publisher imports. But for their domestic markets and abroad; these comics take direct support from their fans. While not always delivering on expectations, these northern comics represent their homes. It’s not just the struggle to appeal to a neighbor but also getting through tough times.
Thanks for coming and as always remember to look between the panels.