In late 1941, fifteen-year-old Bachle was hired by John Ezrin, the manager of Bell Features in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to come up with something exciting for the company's growing comic book line. He created the character Johnny Canuck, which debuted in the first issue of Dime Comics in February 1942. In the first Canuck story he confronts Adolf Hitler which helped to propel Dime Comics to becoming the best-selling comic in the Bell line.
Leo became one of Bell's key artists, drawing characters such as Wild Bill, The Invisible Commando, Chip Piper, Southpaw, Super Sub, and The Brain. Bachle's success led to the company to hire a number of new, young artists, including Ross Saakel[1] and Jerry Lazare.[3]
Bachle's character, Johnny Canuck, was considered invaluable to the war effort. It was considered valuable enough to Bell for the company to acquire the copyright from Bachle in December 1944.[4] He later went to New York City, where he did work for Timely Comics, L.B. Cole and Max Gaines.[1]
in 1950, Bachle changed his name to Les Barker and gave up drawing comic books.[2] He became a well-regarded comedian and toured the globe performing his unique comedy act known as Quick on the Draw.[2] The tours included appearances with such entertainers as Liberace, Mickey Rooney, Rich Little and Marlene Dietrich.[2][1]
In 1995, Canada Post put Johnny Canuck on a postage stamp, which was part of a series with other notable Canadian comic-book heroes.[2]
In 2005, Leo Bachle was among the first batch of Canadian comic book artists inducted into the Joe Shuster Awards Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame.[6]
Allen, Julet (June 9, 2003). "Superhero creator aimed for justice ; Couldn't fight in war, so produced Johnny Canuck Later became beloved comedian and animator". The Toronto Star. p. B5.
Bachle, Leo (2015). Richey, Rachel (ed.). Johnny Canuck. Foreword by Seth; Leo Bachle biography by Robert Pincombe; other stories by André Kulbach and Paul Dak. Toronto: Comic Syrup Press. ISBN978-0-9940547-0-8.
Kocmarek, Ivan (July 29, 2015). "Johnny Canuck". comicbookdaily.com.
bachle, henry, bachle, november, 1923, 2003, barker, canadian, comic, book, artist, canadian, whites, later, became, comedian, contents, biography, legacy, also, further, reading, references, external, linksbiography, editborn, toronto, november, 1923, bachle,. Leo Henry Bachle November 23 1923 May 2003 1 a k a Les Barker was a Canadian comic book artist in the era of the Canadian Whites and later became a comedian Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 See also 4 Further reading 5 References 6 External linksBiography EditBorn in Toronto in November 1923 Bachle attended Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute 2 In late 1941 fifteen year old Bachle was hired by John Ezrin the manager of Bell Features in Toronto Ontario Canada to come up with something exciting for the company s growing comic book line He created the character Johnny Canuck which debuted in the first issue of Dime Comics in February 1942 In the first Canuck story he confronts Adolf Hitler which helped to propel Dime Comics to becoming the best selling comic in the Bell line Leo became one of Bell s key artists drawing characters such as Wild Bill The Invisible Commando Chip Piper Southpaw Super Sub and The Brain Bachle s success led to the company to hire a number of new young artists including Ross Saakel 1 and Jerry Lazare 3 Bachle s character Johnny Canuck was considered invaluable to the war effort It was considered valuable enough to Bell for the company to acquire the copyright from Bachle in December 1944 4 He later went to New York City where he did work for Timely Comics L B Cole and Max Gaines 1 in 1950 Bachle changed his name to Les Barker and gave up drawing comic books 2 He became a well regarded comedian and toured the globe performing his unique comedy act known as Quick on the Draw 2 The tours included appearances with such entertainers as Liberace Mickey Rooney Rich Little and Marlene Dietrich 2 1 In the 1970s Barker had acting roles in several film and television productions including Welcome to Blood City 125 Rooms of Comfort Class of 44 and Norman Corwin Presents 5 Bachle died in Toronto in May 2003 at Scarborough Grace Hospital Legacy EditIn 1995 Canada Post put Johnny Canuck on a postage stamp which was part of a series with other notable Canadian comic book heroes 2 In 2005 Leo Bachle was among the first batch of Canadian comic book artists inducted into the Joe Shuster Awards Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame 6 See also EditCanadian comicsFurther reading EditAllen Julet June 9 2003 Superhero creator aimed for justice Couldn t fight in war so produced Johnny Canuck Later became beloved comedian and animator The Toronto Star p B5 Bachle Leo 2015 Richey Rachel ed Johnny Canuck Foreword by Seth Leo Bachle biography by Robert Pincombe other stories by Andre Kulbach and Paul Dak Toronto Comic Syrup Press ISBN 978 0 9940547 0 8 Kocmarek Ivan July 29 2015 Johnny Canuck comicbookdaily com References Edit a b c d Pincombe 2015 a b c d e Allen 2003 Kocmarek Ivan August 12 2015 Gerald Lazare Canadian War Time Comic Book Artist comicbookdaily com Kocmarek 2015 Les Barker at IMDb Stump Greg July 2005 Sim Cooke among Shuster Winners The Comics Journal Fantagraphics Books 269 48 ISSN 0194 7869 subscription required External links EditPen Portrait of Leo Bachle from Dime Comics This profile of a Canadian comics creator writer or artist is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leo Bachle amp oldid 1046501524, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
