Alter Ego: Comics And Canadian Identity

About the Exhibit

Scott Pilgrim, Captain Canuck, Nelvana, and Kagagi are just a few of the thrilling Canadian comic book heroes you can explore at the Alter Ego exhibit. Check out some of Canada's best biographical and realist comic creators, and learn about the talented Canadians behind many popular superheroes, like pioneering Superman artist Joe Shuster!

An exhibit created by Library and Archives Canada and presented by the Toronto Public Library.

Amazing Adventures in the Life of Nelvana of the Northern Lights!
© Estate of Adrian Dingle. Reproduced with the permission of the Estate.

Johnny Canuck
© Library and Archives Canada and Nelvana Ltd.

Related Programming

Alter Ego Exhibit Launch and Panel Discussion

Join comic artists Chester Brown, Willow Dawson and Jay Odjick in conversation about autobiographical stories, challenging histories, and the future of superheroes in Canada.
Thursday, May 17, 6:30-8 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall

Canadian Superheroes Film Series

Lost Heroes: The Untold Story of Canadian Superheroes (2014)
Thursday, May 17, 2-4 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Thursday, June 21, 2-4 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre

X-Men (2000)
Thursday, July 12, 2-4 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre

Be a Superhero in Virtual Reality!

Try out virtual reality with superhero game demonstrations and more!
Friday, June 1, 12-3 pm
Friday, June 15, 12-3 pm
Friday, July 13, 12-3 pm
Friday, July 27, 12-3 pm
Toronto Reference Library, TD Gallery

Guided Tours

Every Tuesday at 2 pm. Meet inside the TD Gallery. Drop in. No registration required.

Captain Canuck volume 1, No. 1
© Richard Comely, 1975. Reproduced with the permission of Richard Comely and Chapter House Publishing.

Book List

See our list of 25 comics from the exhibit you can borrow from the library.