His First Million - comic collector documentary film

His First Million: The Tale of a Comic Czar is an award-winning Canadian short film that chronicles the rise of Doug Sulipa, founder of Comic World—the first retail comic bookstore in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shot on 16mm film and produced by filmmaker Perry Mark Stratychuk, this documentary explores the vibrant comic book counterculture that flourished in Winnipeg from the 1960s onward.

Featuring interviews with Sulipa and animated segments by CBC/Sesame Street contributor Andrew Schulz, the film captures the spirit of a city that became a hub for comic collectors and mail-order dealers, earning its reputation as “the number one comic city in Canada” for over three decades.

Originally broadcast on television in Canada and New Zealand, His First Million is a must-watch for fans of comic book history, independent filmmaking, and Canadian pop culture. With music by Michael Stuart and full creative direction by Stratychuk, this rare cinematic gem offers a nostalgic and insightful look into the legacy of a true comic czar.

Produced, directed, photographed, and edited by Perry Mark Stratychuk

Music by Michael Stuart

Copyright 1981 All Rights Reserved

Running time: 11:00

Awards

Central Florida Film Festival 1981