London born graphic novelist Bryan Lee O’Malley is being featured in a new Canada Post stamp series celebrating influential Canadian creators , a national honour that highlights the global impact of one of the city’s most recognizable artistic exports.
(Canadian Graphic Artists/Photo Credit: Melissa Dupuch, Magnolia Studio)
O’Malley, best known for the Scott Pilgrim series, is one of six artists included in the second part of Canada Post’s two-part collection showcasing Canadian graphic novelists. The series pays tribute to creators whose work blends art and storytelling in ways that have shaped the modern graphic novel landscape.
Bronwyn Graves of Canada Post said O’Malley played a hands-on role throughout the design process.
“With Brian and with the rest of the honourees in the series … we work closely in a truly collaborative process,” Graves said. Each stamp features a main character from one of the artist’s signature works, shown reading the book in which they appear. “Brian had insight and input into every facet of the design from the initial conception to proofreading and reviewing the text on the back of the stamp booklet.”
While O’Malley could not attend the unveiling at Montreal’s Palais des congrès, Canada Post representative Simon Braat was on hand as the latest designs were revealed. The series also includes Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.
(From left to right:
Simon Brault (Canada Post, Stamp Advisory Committee) for Bryan Lee
O’Malley
Jimmy Beaulieu
Kate Beaton
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
Peggy Burn for Julie Doucet
Thomas-Louis Côté for Guy Delisle/ Photo Credit: Melissa Dupuch, Magnolia Studio)
Canada Post says the project reflects its commitment to celebrating Canadian creativity, both past and present.
“The stamp program is here to tell the stories of all Canadians, not just history or past artists who’ve been recognized for their success many years ago,” Graves said.
For London, the stamp marks a proud moment as one of the city’s creators earns national recognition.
