Nelvana of the Northern Lights Kickstarter Launch

Sunday night – the fifth day of its Kickstarter campaign – the Nelvana of the Northern Lights  campaign held its launch party at the Silver Snail. It also doubled as a celebration as it reached its $25,000 goal a half hour before the party started.

Interpretation of Nelvana

And they didn’t celebrate alone. Through the three hour party over 80 people ate poutine by Whole Decadence and specially designed cake by Jessica Costley, while sipping Steamwhistle and a special shot, Polar Bear (creme de cacao and peppermint schnapps) in an extra special shot glass created by Red Moon Creations. Everyone there also received the above print by Alex Perkins.

There were short speeches by the campaign co-ordinators Hope Nicholson and Rachel Richey thanking everyone and explaining how they have funding not only locally but from backers as far away as Australia, England, Mexico, New Zealand, and Spain. Then Stephen Lipson said a few words about the history of Canadian “Whites”, comics printed during the Second World War, and how Nelvana Inuit goddess of the North predated the first mention of Wonder Woman by several months.

Not only a Canadian Heroine, Nelvana was also a tasty cake! Photo by Hope L. Nicholson.

Both Hope and Rachel have a long love of this era of Canadian comics and before starting this campaign, they tracked down and negotiated reprinting rights to Nelvana’s 31 issue run.

Later in the evening there was a raffle with many donated prizes ranging from CDs by The Wordburglar and Debs and Errol; gift certificates from Snakes & Lattes and Buddies in Bad Time Theatre; a dress by Michelle Carey, and other items by Daryl Collison, Ron Mann, and Gorilla Printing.

People in attendance ranged from backers, to collectors of Whites, to various local bloggers, and fans of Canadana. All of whom were pleased to celebrate this re-capturing of a missing piece of Canadian History.