Launched shortly after Caniff retired from his previous strip, Terry and the Pirates, Steve Canyon ran from January 13, 1947, until June 4, 1988.

Drawn in the style of a Sunday strip, the story and art for this commemorative were provided by Air Force Master Sergeant Russ Maheras, with coloring by Carl Gafford.

Initially, his buddies were fellow veterans, and romantic interest was provided by Copper Calhoon, a kind of capitalist version of the popular Dragon Lady character Caniff had created for Terry and the Pirates.

Eventually, Canyon developed a sometime-sidekick in crotchety millionaire adventurer Happy Easter, along with a permanent love interest in Summer Olson, initially Calhoon's private secretary.

General Philerie was based on legendary World War II hero Phil Cochran, who came from Erie, as noted in the character's name ("Phil-Erie").

In the late-1960s to the late 1970s, more stories focused on Summer's son by her first marriage, Leighton Olson, Jr., who got involved with drugs, then went to Maumee University, now filled with radical antiwar types.

He became steady with Stalky Schweisenberger while at Maumee U. Caniff was intensely patriotic, and with Canyon's return to the military, the story began to revolve around Cold War intrigue and the responsibilities of American citizens.

[9] Caniff was famous for colorful villains and intriguing female characters, such as Madame Lynx and the lovely exiled ruler, Princess Snowflower.

[10] Besides casting Ilona Massey as Lynx, Caniff patterned Pipper the Piper after John F. Kennedy,[10] and Miss Mizzou after either Marilyn Monroe[10] or actress Bek Nelson.

[11] The character of Charlie Vanilla (who would frequently appear with an ice cream cone in hand) was based on Caniff's longtime friend Charles Russhon, a former photographer and U.S. Air Force lieutenant, who became a technical advisor on five James Bond films.

Nine volumes were released before publication ceased: In 2012, IDW Publishing began a new hardcover reprint series under their "The Library of American Comics" imprint.