The idea for a comic book depicting the march west came about back in 1998. The following year was the 125th anniversary of the formation of the N.W.M.P., and a reenactment of the trek was taking place from Manitoba to Fort Macleod, Alberta.

Approval for my project was obtained from the Mounted Police Foundation in Ottawa. To my knowledge the actual story in comic book form has only been done once, back in 1959 - a very abbreviated 8 page story in a "Classics Illustrated" comic containing other R.C.M.P. related stories.

In past years the subject of the exploits of Canada's mounties has fascinated reader's worldwide. "King of the Royal Mounted", a newspaper strip that ran from the 1930s to the 1960s was created in the mind of America's foremost western novelist, Zane Grey. It was carried by newspapers from Europe to South America. Comic books depicting the R.C.M.P. (King of the Royal Mounted, Sgt. Preston of the Yukon) were produced not by Canadians, but Americans.

I met Claude St. Aubin at an "Alberta Comic Collector's Association" meeting in Calgary about 5 years ago. I had just joined, and at that first meeting learned that one of the members was producing a comic book - wow! The artist on the book was also in attendance - wow! I've since learned a lot about the comic business from Claude and he has become just as excited about this project. I've been fortunate in obtaining the talents of one of Canada's best comic book artists.

The transition from black and white comic page to "print ready" stage is difficult when one isn't particularly adept at the computer. My son Craig handles all the different procedures with ease, which makes my work a whole lot easier. The story ran in two weekly papers put out by the Lethbridge Herald - the "Sun times" covering Lethbridge, and the "Prairie Post" which covers southwestern Alberta.

Pete Brouwer
Diamond City (Lethbridge) Alberta