Canadian comic book news for June 13, 2026

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — dedicated to celebrate Canadian comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

Here’s the latest news about Canadian comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters for Saturday, June 13, 2026

Doug Wright Awards winners announced
The Doug Wright Awards revealed the winners of this year’s prizes held at a ceremony last Saturday in Toronto, Ontario and hosted by Ho Che Anderson. The winners in the various categories are:
– Lee Lai for Canon (published by Drawn & Quarterly) for Best Book
– Lis Xu for Layover & Med (self-published) and Racoon Rescue (published by Gytha Press) for The Nipper (Emerging Talent)
– Kat Simmers and Ryan Danny Owen for Pass Me By: Lily (published by Renegade Arts Entertainment) for The Pigskin Peters (Best Small- or Micro-press Book)
– Mike Deas and Nancy Deas for Howler Reed (published by Orca Book Publishers) and for The Egghead (Best Kids’ Book)
– Emily Hearn, Mark Thurman, and Arch Dale were inducted into the Giants of the North: The Canadian Cartooning Hall of Fame
Congratulations to all!

Anthony Ruttgaizer launches new Kickstarter
In a recent podcast interview, Anthony Ruttgaizer announced the launch of his new Kickstarter for his graphic novels Heroes of Homeroom C. Additionally, he announced a forthcoming comic book with artist Elsbeth Dodman entitled Last Stand in Open Country with a launch date sometime in 2027.

Jason Loo’s The Undead Iron Fist graphic novel now in stores
After a successful showing at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, Jason Loo took to social media to promote the availability of The Undead Iron Fist in collected trade paperback. Jason referenced about how the book is a ‘cool milestone at Marvel: killing off a major character and reinventing them from the dead’.

Francis Desharnais’ Meanwhile… story sees new life
In advance of next year’s revival of their Meanwhile… anthology, Soaring Penguin Press is republishing Meanwhile…The Best featuring ‘Winter Approaches’ by Francis Desharnais. The creator recently exhibited his work at the 2026 Montreal Comic Arts Festival. Listen to a previous podcast chat with Francis.

Owen Keenan reveals secrets of Lom The Last
During his recent podcast interview, Owen Keenan chatted about his ongoing comic book series Lom The Last. Owen said that many readers have asked him about the origin of the lead character’s name. Although he’s a Neanderthal, Lom, according to Owen, is a take on the French word for man ‘L’Homme’. So there you go.

Calendar
Here are the events coming up for this week as posted on the site’s Calendar

June 12-13
Robert E. Howard Days
Featuring Jim Zub
Cross Plains, Texas

June 12-13
East Coast Comic Expo
Moncton Colliseum
Moncton, New Brunswick

June 13
Manitoulin Island Comicon
Little Current Recreation Centre
Little Current, Ontario

June 14
Espanola Comicon
Espanola Recreation Complex
Espanola, Ontario

June 19-21
Avalon Expo
St. John’s Convention Centre
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

June 19-21
YETICON
Blue Mountain Village
The Blue Mountains, Ontario

Editor’s Note: On Saturday, June 13, True North Country Comics will be selling valuable items at the Acton Trunk Sale starting at 8 am in Acton, Ontario. All proceeds from the sale will help support this site and podcast to continue the celebration of Canadian comic book and graphic novel creators.