Too good to be true: The world needs a hero

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau graces new Marvel comic book cover

MONTREAL: He snowboards, he hikes and he surfs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is already a bit of an action hero. But now, Marvel has made him into an actual superhero, in a new comic book that hit news stands on Wednesday.

Trudeau graces one of two covers of the latest edition of Civil War II: Choosing Sides, seated in the corner of a boxing ring and smiling, his elbows resting on the ropes, with the iconic Canadian maple leaf emblazoned on his tank top. He is also wearing red boxing gloves. Additionally, the 44-year-old prime minister is surrounded by Canadian superheroes Puck, Sasquatch and Aurora — members of the Alpha Flight squad — as Iron Man looms in the background.

The comic book also introduces a mysterious new character Ulysses, who has the power to predict the future. In the comic, Trudeau is consulted in his Ottawa office by the members of Alpha Flight after a disagreement breaks out over how to leverage Ulysses’ powers. Captain Marvel wants to take measures to prevent crimes before they occur, while Iron Man views it as immoral to punish anyone for a crime they have not yet committed. Trudeau takes a principled view, telling his comrades, “Above all else, civil liberties must be protected. I think imprisoning people for crimes they may not even have thought of yet is wrong. I think this is a dangerous path you’ve embarked on.”

Trudeau’s father Pierre, who also served as Canada’s prime minister, also appeared in a Marvel comic released back in 1979. However, the main cover in circulation does not feature Trudeau.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2016.

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