RETRO REVIEW: Steve Canyon: Volume 1 – 1947-1948

IDW Publishing; $49.95

There have been a lot of collections of Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon over the years and they’ve helped keep the flames of fandom burning. Now, however, comes the chance to see the seminal strip as never before, reproduced directly from Caniff’s personal set of syndicate proofs courtesy of a new series from IDW Publishing’s Library of American Comics imprint. And what a ride it looks to be! 

In fact, there are now 11 volumes in this series.

Beginning with the earliest strips in the series, this chronological presentation will no doubt be the definitive edition of the Steve Canyon newspaper strip. The Sunday pages are presented in color and the daily strips in their original, uncropped aspect.

When, in 1946, Caniff had quit his long running Terry and the Pirates in favor of not only an increased page rate, but editorial control and creator ownership of his next project, it was a big deal. As this volume’s excellent introductory text points out, the arrival of Steve Canyon and his supporting players was big news when it happened. It even made the cover of Time magazine, back when that actually meant something.

Terry and the Pirates remains an education for anyone interested in doing adventure comics. One doesn’t have to detract from Terry to suggest that Steve Canyon starts off with the “Rembrandt of the Comic Strip” just about at the peak of his craft.

The storytelling is superb, the characters are fun, and stories are intriguing. The trademark Caniff women are perhaps even more dynamic than in Terry, including the likes of “Copper” Calhoun, Delta, Madame Lynx, Dr. Deen Wilderness, and others.

The book is edited and designed by Dean Mullaney and includes a great essay by Bruce Canwell that provides a lot of context. Bravo, gents!

– J.C. Vaughn