Major Mapleleaf

Major Mapleleaf is the name of two fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily in the series Alpha Flight. Both characters were created by writer Scott Lobdell.

Louis Sadler is the name of the first Major Mapleleaf. He first appeared in Alpha Flight #106.

Louis Sadler is a Canadian superhero during World War II and the occasional ally of the Invaders in their battles against Hitler and the Nazis. He gains his powers through an unrevealed process which appears to have affected his aging process.^[1] After the war, he goes underground with his crime-fighting and eventually reveals his public identity in 1963 so that he can devote time to raising his son, Michael, his proudest achievement.^[2] After Michael's death from AIDS, Sadler sinks into a depression. Later, when the news is making a cause celebre out of a baby with HIV, he goes on a rampage, believing society did not care about Michael's fate due to his being gay. He is stopped by Northstar of Alpha Flight.^[3]

Major Mapleleaf
Major Mapleleaf. Detail from the cover to Alpha Flight vol. 3 #5. Art by Clayton Henry.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Alpha Flight vol. 3 #1
Created by	Scott Lobdell & Clayton Henry
In-story information
Alter ego	Louis "Lou" Sadler Jr.
Species	Human mutate
Team affiliations	Alpha Flight

Louis Sadler Jr., the younger son of the original Major Mapleleaf, assumes the mantle of Major Mapleleaf. Lou first appears in Alpha Flight vol. 3 #1.

Louis "Lou" Sadler Jr. is a normal human with no superpowers who rides a super-powered horse named Thunder.

Bearing the rank of staff sergeant in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sadler takes the codename Major Mapleleaf to honour his father. Lou was reportedly beaten by his father, who blamed him for the death of his mother. Lou, who speaks very positively of his father, denies the abuse.^[4]

Sadler is recruited by Sasquatch as one of the new members of the Alpha Flight team when the original team is kidnapped by aliens.^[5]

Along with Guardian, both incarnations of Puck, Vindicator, and Shaman, Major Mapleleaf is among the Alpha Flight members killed by the Collective.^[6]

• AlphaFlight.net Alphanex Entry on Major Mapleleaf I
• AlphaFlight.net Alphanex Entry on Major Mapleleaf II
• Major Mapleleaf at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Uncannxmen.net Character Profile on Major Mapleleaf II