Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joins President Barack Obama on the short list of world leaders who have been given a Marvel Comics makeover.
Marvel made headlines in 2009 when it released a special story featuring Mr. Obama and Spider-Man that was released in time for Inauguration Day. The comic book giant now will give Mr. Trudeau similar artistic reverence for an issue planned for August.
Promotional images of a variant cover for “Civil War II: Choosing Sides No. 5” feature the prime minister sitting in a boxing ring with the Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight. The liberal politician wears a Maple Leaf-emblazoned shirt, athletic shorts, and boxing gloves.
“I didn’t want to do a stuffy cover — just like a suit and tie — put his likeness on the cover and call it a day,” artist Ramon Perez told the Canadian Press on Tuesday.
The upcoming story revolves around a man who can predict potential futures. Alpha Flight supports apprehending individuals without due process based upon visions seen by a character named Ulysses. The team then goes to Mr. Trudeau for advice.
“I didn’t want this to just be like a walk-on … rescued by superheroes and he thanks them and that’s the end of the story,” writer Chip Zdarsky told CBC. “I think a lot of these real-life appearances in comics tend to go that way. I liked the idea of him actually engaging them in an ethical debate. It’s a little tricky just because once you start to put words in the prime minister’s mouth, we acknowledge that this is basically Trudeau fan fiction.”
Mr. Zdarsky joked that he does not want to get a phone call from the politician that begins, “How could you have me saying that to … Iron Man?”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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