Independent comics have always been a place where creators can develop their own characters, tell their own stories, and build superhero universes without the restrictions of the major publishers. Tales from the Water Tower Studios is part of that tradition, bringing together Canadian-made superhero adventures that celebrate creativity, community, and the fun of comic books.
Home of Jeff Burton and his superhero Auroraman, Tales from the Water Tower Studios is connected to a growing collection of Canadian independent comics, including The Adventures of Auroraman, Canadian Corps, and Supernova: Daughter of the Cosmos. These titles reflect the imagination and enthusiasm that have helped establish Canada’s independent superhero community.
At the center of the Water Tower is Auroraman, the self-proclaimed Super Power of the Prairies. Created through the collaboration of Jeff Burton, Ted Green, and Andrew Lorenz, Auroraman offers a different approach to the traditional superhero.
Rather than being a billionaire, an alien, or a highly trained soldier, Auroraman is an ordinary Canadian schoolteacher who finds himself possessing extraordinary abilities. His adventures combine superhero action with humor, everyday experiences, and distinctly Canadian settings.
Burton, himself a teacher from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, draws inspiration from his surroundings and his own experiences. This gives Auroraman a personality and perspective that distinguish him from many mainstream superheroes.
The character’s origins can be traced to Burton’s interest in DC Comics’ Starman, particularly the Jack Knight incarnation. An early character concept developed by Ted Green eventually evolved with help from Canadian independent creator Andrew Lorenz into the superhero readers know today.
The Adventures of Auroraman #0 introduced the character to a wider audience, with the comic receiving a digital release through Chapterhouse. Burton subsequently expanded the character’s adventures through additional comics, special projects, and collaborations with other independent creators.
One of the more distinctive features of Auroraman’s publishing history is the Made in the Water Tower mini-comics series. These smaller publications allowed Burton to tell shorter adventures, sometimes connecting stories to actual events in Saskatchewan.
The mini-comics included holiday specials, convention-related adventures, and other stories that brought Auroraman closer to his community. Instead of relying exclusively on traditional comic book distribution, Burton used local events, conventions, and direct sales to introduce readers to his superhero.
The Water Tower concept also reflects something important about independent publishing: a superhero universe does not necessarily need to begin with a large company or an elaborate publishing infrastructure. Sometimes it begins with a character, a few talented collaborators, and a determination to make entertaining comics.
Beyond Auroraman, the Water Tower identity embraces the broader Canadian superhero scene.
Canadian Corps, created by Andrew Lorenz, represents another part of that creative community. Lorenz has been involved with several Canadian independent superhero properties, including Legacy, New Guard, and The Sentries. His work has also played an important role in Auroraman’s development.
Supernova: Daughter of the Cosmos is another title promoted under the Water Tower banner, demonstrating the studio’s interest in presenting a variety of Canadian superhero creations.
The relationships between these creators extend beyond simply promoting one another’s comics. Crossovers and collaborations have become an important element of the Canadian independent superhero scene.
One particularly ambitious example was Auroraman Annual #1, a crossover bringing together an impressive collection of independent Canadian superheroes.
The project featured Auroraman alongside characters including Auric of the Great White North, Canadian Corps, Kaptain Polska, Spacepig Hamadeus, Spacesquatch, Jack Grimm, and others. The story involved the demonic Proto-Master Psykorr threatening reality itself, requiring an extraordinary gathering of heroes to confront the danger.
The annual demonstrated how independent creators could work together while maintaining their own individual characters and creative identities.
Burton has also been involved with the Canadian Comic Book Alliance, a network developed to help Canadian independent creators promote their comics, establish relationships, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
That sense of cooperation has become one of the defining characteristics of the Canadian independent comics community. Rather than viewing other small publishers strictly as competitors, creators have found opportunities to support one another through shared promotions, appearances, and crossover stories.
Tales from the Water Tower Studios also represents a style of superhero storytelling that has become less common among the major publishers. There is an emphasis on accessible adventures, recognizable characters, humor, and the simple enjoyment of reading comics.
Burton prefers to allow his stories to develop naturally rather than stretching them to fit predetermined publishing formats. His appreciation for anthology-style comics and shorter adventures can be seen in the flexibility of the Auroraman publications.
This approach recalls an earlier period of comic book publishing when a single issue might contain several adventures, supporting features, and opportunities to introduce new characters.
Another important aspect of Auroraman is its connection to education. As a teacher, Burton has incorporated comics into his classroom activities, using the medium to encourage creativity and learning. The character’s popularity among students has helped demonstrate how comic books can connect with younger readers.
The result is a superhero property that exists not only as entertainment but also as a way to encourage imagination and an appreciation for the art of storytelling.
Tales from the Water Tower Studios reflects that independent spirit. Its connection to Canadian creators, its willingness to embrace collaboration, and its focus on enjoyable superhero adventures make it an interesting part of the independent comics landscape.
The Canadian superhero tradition has a long history, stretching back to the Golden Age of Canadian comics. Creators associated with the Water Tower are helping carry that tradition forward with new characters and contemporary adventures.
Ultimately, Tales from the Water Tower Studios is a reminder that the most important ingredient in a superhero comic is not the size of the publisher. It is the creativity and enthusiasm of the people making the comics.
And sometimes, all it takes to build a superhero universe is a schoolteacher, a magical staff, a few good friends, and a water tower in Saskatchewan.
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