Major Mapleleaf is the name of two superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily in the series Alpha Flight. Both characters were created by writer Scott Lobdell.
Major Mapleleaf (Louis Sadler)
edit| Major Mapleleaf | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Alpha Flight #106 (March 1992) |
| Created by | Scott Lobdell Mark Pacella |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Louis Sadler |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Team affiliations | Invaders |
Louis Sadler is the name of the first Major Mapleleaf. He first appeared in Alpha Flight #106.
Fictional character biography
editLouis Sadler is a Canadian superhero during World War II and an occasional ally of the Invaders who gained superhuman strength, durability, and longevity through an unrevealed process. After the war, Sadler goes underground with his crime-fighting and eventually reveals his public identity in 1963 so that he can devote time to raising his son Michael.[1] After Michael dies from AIDS, Sadler sinks into a depression. Later, when the news is making a cause celebre out of a baby with HIV, Sadler goes on a rampage, believing society did not care about Michael due to him being gay. He is stopped by Northstar of Alpha Flight.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Major Mapleleaf (Lou Sadler Jr.)
edit| Major Mapleleaf | |
|---|---|
 Major Mapleleaf and Thunder as depicted in Alpha Flight (vol. 3) #5 (September 2004). Art by Clayton Henry. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Alpha Flight (vol. 3) #1 (May 2004) |
| Created by | Scott Lobdell Clayton Henry |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Louis "Lou" Sadler Jr. |
| Team affiliations | Alpha Flight |
Louis Sadler Jr., the younger son of the original Major Mapleleaf, assumes the mantle of Major Mapleleaf. Lou first appears in Alpha Flight vol. 3 #1.
Fictional character biography
editLouis "Lou" Sadler Jr. is a normal human with no superpowers who rides a super-powered horse named Thunder.[8]
Bearing the rank of staff sergeant in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sadler takes the codename Major Mapleleaf to honor his father. Sasquatch later recruits Sadler into Alpha Flight after aliens kidnap the original team.[9] In New Avengers, Michael Pointer kills Major Mapleleaf and the majority of Alpha Flight, with Sasquatch being the only survivor.[10][3]
Powers and abilities
editMajor Mapleleaf has no superhuman powers, but is a skilled combatant and acrobat. His horse, Thunder, possesses flight, superhuman durability, and a degree of enhanced strength.[11]
References
edit- ^ Alpha Flight (vol. 3) #9 (January 2005)
- ^ Alpha Flight #106 (March 1992)
- ^ a b King, Samantha (February 7, 2022). "Canada Needs To Pick Its True Captain America". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Yeo, Aubrey (May 20, 2015). "First openly gay Marvel character comes to the rescue on LGBT advocacy". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Briscoe, Aaron (May 28, 2022). "Marvel's First Major Gay Character Deserves a Stand-Alone Comic". CBR. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Medlen, D. R. (February 12, 2021). "X-Men: Northstar Had a Long Road to Krakoa's Healthiest Marriage". CBR. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Winstead, Nick (September 7, 2017). "Dollar Bin Discoveries: I'm Coming Out Edition". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Keller, Rich (February 21, 2020). "10 Marvel Universe Superhero Teams That Always Return". CBR. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ Alpha Flight (vol. 3) #3–6 (July - October 2004)
- ^ New Avengers #16 (April 2006)
- ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #7 (March 2009)
