Fifteen year-old Toronto youth Leo Bachle had just been dismissed from the Canadian army for lying about his age and through a chum, had taken a job delivering lenses. During one delivery at the Percy Hermont building, Bachle came across a stack of comic books in front of an office for Bell Features. He began to thumb through several, when a middle-aged man stormed out of the office and confronted him. A heated exchange ensued, which led to the gent challenging Bachle to do a rehearsal drawing for him. By the end of the encounter, Bachle was challenged to draw a complete comic strip by the next day, which he did. The new star of DIME Comics, “Johnny Canuck” was born!

Toronto signmakers Cy and Gene Bell started up their fledgling comic book empire when a wartime trade embargo caused a hold on the sale and distribution of U.S. comic books in Canada. Later known as “The Canadian Whites”, due to the black ink, white pulp format, dozens of all-Canadian titles were created by several publishers during the embargo, which only lasted from 1941 to 1945. Such characters as “Iron Man”, “The Penguin”, “Freelance” and “Nelvana And The Northern Lights” emerged on the scene. But, the brightest of them all was Leo Bachle’s “Johnny Canuck.” The feature had become such an important national symbol, that when the embargo ended, the Canadian government wouldn’t allow Bachle to get his visa to work for better-paying U.S. publications, until he’d fulfilled all his contractual obligations on “Johnny”.

America opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the enterprising Bachle. He worked for New York comic book publisher Marvel Comics, meandering into standup comedy and acting. He created one novel nightclub act called “Quick On The Draw”, where he entertained audiences with a stand-up comedy routine and drawing  with an overhead projector.  As a performer, he routinely travelled across the country and on cruise ships. Developing into something of a celebrity, Bachle changed his name to Les Barker and performed with stars like Marlene Dietrich, Eartha Kitt, Tony Orlando and Loretta Lynn. “Les Barker amazes everybody, including yours truly,” said Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney in a showbiz blurb. “One of the best entertainers I’ve ever seen and had the pleasure of working with.” About this time, he met and married singer Lucy Loring. Their union lasted 49 years and was blessed with two children, Suzanne and Danny.

In 1995, Canada Post commemorated “Johnny Canuck” in its superhero stamp issue and the honour, in Barker’s own words, “thrilled me to death.” By 2003, Barker’s 40-year battle with diabetes landed him in Scarborough Grace Hospital, coincidentally at the same time as the historic SARS outbreak. Without family visiting privileges at the hospital for over two weeks, it was here where the 79 year-old Barker died in May of 2003. No one knew that when this chapter of “Johnny Canuck” ended, yet another was to begin.

Whatever the circumstances, the charming, attractive Barker seemed to enjoy his fair share of love trysts with women during his many travels. About the time of his death, at least 12 children ranging in age from 44 to 66 and raised by 8 different mothers, came forth claiming to be Barker’s offspring. It was suspected there were others, so a website was created for these siblings to connect. For them, the home page of “The Kids Of Johnny Canuck”  declares “…it is expected there are many more children.”

“The Kids Of Johnny Canuck” contains pictures and biographical data on Bachle/Barker and site contact info. As is typical of Canadian celebrities, its unlikely Barker died a rich man and there don’t appear to be any estate issues to be settled.  The site is mainly a vehicle for the established Barker children to connect and/or reconnect.

In the words of Johnny Canuck, “…Germans (in other words, all opponents) had better start making stronger rope if they want to hold Canadians captive…”

Leo Bachle obituary (Jun 30, 2003 Toronto Star)

"The Kids Of Johnny Canuck" website