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In a world where cinematic universes are sprouting like mushrooms and capitalizing on superheroes that were born in the 1960s, two longtime animators and comic book connoisseurs from Cape Breton have dared to create their own.

“It really was just a decision,” says Jeff Knott, co-president and founder of Grandway Comics.

“If it’s possible, why don’t we do it? And what is possible? If you’re taking that line, and shoot for as high as you can, then you push yourself to the limit and really try to achieve something that is extraordinary,” he says.

Knott and his business partner, Derek Jessome, made that decision in 2016. The two were tired of comic books, which they felt had lost some of the wonder and excitement that superhero comics used to celebrate.

“For a long time, Jeff and I noticed there’s been a hole in the market for comic books. The comic books that we enjoyed, you can’t buy those anymore,” says Jessome.

Space Cowboy and the Triumpheteers by Grandway Comics.

“We were in the comic book shop last week and I asked the owner, ‘What’s available for kids?’ If there are superheroes, then it’s sort of like a slice of life superhero,” says Jessome, adding. “Nothing wrong with that, it’s great. But the fantastic powers take a back-seat to more of a drama in disguise.”

Knott and Jessome’s new superheroes are stepping up to give young readers and adults alike a taste of action, adventure, and classic tales of good triumphing over evil. Leading the way is the cosmic super sheriff, Space Cowboy and his loyal Triumphanteers, who defend love, freedom and peace in this new comic book universe.

“We’re just looking for that Lone Ranger type of guy. And when I say, Superman, I mean the Christopher Reeve Superman, or Steve Austin as the Six Million Dollar Man. Less grey and little more classic tales of good versus evil,” says Jessome.

“We are big fans of heroes. Men and women who know what the right thing to do is, and who act accordingly. They’re noble, and they have a lot of dignity. We like that and there’s not a lot of that around,” he says.

In DC Comics’ flagship film, Man of Steel, it culminates with the titular character punching a giant laser in the middle of the Indian Ocean while, at the same time, the entire population of Metropolis is being wiped off the map. Longtime fans of the classic Christopher Reeve Superman might well ask themselves, “Why isn’t Superman saving anyone?”

“For a long time, Jeff and I have been disappointed over and over again with that kind of stuff,” says Jessome.

“The world seems like a pretty grey place these days and people are worried about a lot of different things. We just don’t agree with putting that into our entertainment. We like escape,” says Knott. “When you read a comic, you can feel like you can escape to another place, where you read it and have a fulfilling experience.”

The dynamic publishing duo are based in Dartmouth, and will be at this year’s Hal-Con sci-fi convention happening this weekend in Halifax.

“There was a time for sure where, if you didn’t live in New York or Los Angeles, then it wasn’t going to happen,” says Jessome.

“But now, with all the tools that are available, why not do it?” says Knott. “Run that flag up the pole and see who salutes.”