Major Mapleleaf

Origin

Proudly earning the rank of Sgt. Commander with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Lou Sadler Jr. takes the name “Major Mapleleaf” out of respect for his father, the original Major Mapleleaf who fought alongside Captain America in World War II. Lou Sadler Sr. became an alcoholic and physically abusive father, often beating his sons. As Major Mapleleaf, however, Lou Jr. claims to have great respect for him, and continuously makes him out to be a hero and saint.

Creation

Major Mapleleaf was created by Scott Lobdell and Clayton Henry and first appeared in Alpha Flight Vol.3 issue 1 (2004).

Major Story Arcs

Alpha Flight

When Walter Langkowski is scouting potential members for a strike force to save Alpha Flight from aliens, he observes Sadler and his horse Thunder teaching children traffic crossing safety. Though he does not speak with Sadler directly at the time, Walter Langkowski is questioned by a pair of passing police officers, to whom he admits he is watching Sadler. The officers inform Sadler of this, and he assumes that Walter is seeking his assistance. Major Mapleleaf takes the initiative to seek out Langkowski and offer his services. Though Langkowski has reservations about Sadler being too “Wonder Bread” for the mission at hand, he accepts Sadler’s offer to join the team.

Sadler serves with Langkowski’s team to save the original Alpha Flight members, and remains a member of the team afterwards. In the time spent as a member of Alpha Flight, he develops romantic feelings for his teammate Zuzha Yu, also known as the second Puck. The eventually marry and have a son together.

The Collective

Major Mapleleaf is involved in the battle against The Collective. The Collective quickly overwhelmed Mapleleaf and Zuzha Yu with a wave of nanotech scorpions and is eventually killed by the powerful being.