05/27/2025
In August 1941, a new superhero debuted in Canadian comic books.
For the next six years, Canadians read the stories of an Inuk woman who protected the Canadian North.
She even predated the creation of Wonder Woman.
This is the story of Nelvana of the Northern Lights.
Nelvana was created by Adrian Di**le, who was inspired by stories of the Arctic from Group of Seven painter Franz Johnston.
Johnston had met a woman named Cecile/Connie Nelvana at Kugluktuk. Di**le decided to create a superhero based on that woman.
At the time, there was a restriction on non-essential goods coming into Canada from the USA due to the war. This included comics, leading Canadian creators to fill that gap.
You can learn more about the Golden Age of Canadian Comics here👇
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According to the comics, Nelvana was a powerful Inuk figure who protected the people of the North. She was the daughter of a mortal woman and Koliak, the King of the Northern Lights. Nelvana draws on the power of the Northern Lights for her powers.
Her powers included the ability to fly at the speed of light on a ray of the Northern Lights. She can also melt metal with a heat ray, disrupt radio communications. She is also telepathic and can turn herself invisible to fight villains.
Nelvana is joined by her brother Tanero, who had similar powers to her. Tanero lived under a curse that prevented him from being seen by any white men. There is also Corporal Keene, a Mountie who helped Nelvana as her sidekick but he had no powers.
Nelvana made her debut in August 1941 in Triumph-Adventure Comics #1, published by Hillborough Studios in Toronto. She continued to appear in comics until May 1947 when she made her last appearance in Super-Duper Comics #1.
After the war, American comics returned.
During her run, she was written and illustrated by Adrian Di**le. He later went on to create The Blue Raven before his death in 1974.
In 1971, the rights to Nelvana were purchased by Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert. They then founded the animation studio Nelvana.
Nelvana produced projects such as Clone High, Bob & Margaret, Babar, Inspector Gadget, the Care Bears and more.
Today, the company and Library and Archives Canada control the rights to the character.
In 1995, Canada Post honoured Nelvana's cultural impact with a stamp.
I hope you enjoyed that look at Nelvana of the Northern Lights.
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