CCRB: April is JACK KIRBY MONTH

[WheresRICHARD]

In the thread entitled Classic Comic Readers Club, I mentioned as one of the rules that we will be theme-based. Each month, we will have a different theme and, using the library of old comic books at htmlcomics.com, we will discuss that theme.

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APRIL IS JACK KIRBY MONTH. If you've been following the news, you know that the family of Jack Kirby is suing for co-ownership of a whole slew of Marvel Comics characters. Without delving too much into that controversy, I want to ask: What do you consider to be Jack Kirby's best body of work, and please provide actual issue numbers of actual comic books to support your view. You may reference the site at http://www.htmlcomics.com to find almost every comic book drawn by Kirby.

[thunderbolt]

Its a tough call for me, either his FF run or the 4th World stuff.

[clemso]

Without a doubt, Jack's finest work was his run inked by Joe Sinnott on Fantastic Four 44 to 102 including annuals 5 & 6, introducing a slew of Kirby characters such as, the Silver Surfer, Galactus, Black Panther and the Inhumans.

[WheresRICHARD]

I was taking a look at Kirby's work on Fantastic Four. Take a look at where the Hulk first appears:

http://www.htmlcomics.com/Book/html....lpha=F&Lookup=

I followed that up by looking at his run on the Hulk's stories in TALES TO ASTONISH. No slight meant to the King, but I do not consider his rendition of the Hulk to be his best work. To me, his Hulk does not look like a monster. It looks like a green man.

[thunderbolt]

Love Kirby's Hulk. Especially the flattop head.

[clemso]

Jack's output on the Hulk is actually quite small, apart from Incredible Hulk 1-5 and guest appearances in FF 12 & 25,26. Jack's Hulk work on TTA was mostly layouts, not full pencils, although he did do the covers. Of course I love the early flat top Hulk too, but I would like to credit Dick Ayers inks for giving the Hulks features such character. Bill Everetts inks on Kirby pencils and layouts is also outstanding.

[LadyZod]

While Kirby is def one of the cornerstones of Marvel, I find his DC work to be most revolutionary in both art and writing (which is usually glossed over).

Here is was, the King of Marvel, going across the street to work for the Distinguished Competition!

And how do you prove your worth? Take the lowest selling book and slap your name on it and make it one of the best.

Jimmy Olsen #133 says it all.

Yes, I know DC had Superman's face redrawn. It was their need to keep a consistant look for thier franchise. Kirby's Superman is not the ONLY Superman to have his face redrawn... it wasn't a slight on Kirby. It was business.

But back to Jimmy Olsen #133... talk about turning something on it's side! Forget the silly Jimmy and enter the tough as nail cub reporter! A Jimmy that doesn't need Superman to survive. Kirby made you believe!

[Orion]

I really enjoy his work on "New Gods" - issues 1 through 7, with 7 being one of my favorites. Also agree with Clemso's choice regarding his run on FF - some of his best work contained there. One of my favorite issues was "This Man, This Monster" and of course, who can forget the "Galactus Trilogy." Great stuff.

[samurainoir]

Thanks for spearheading this WheresRICHARD.

As a suggestion for Jack Kirby month, perhaps we can set a reading list around not just The Best work, but work that we feel is the Most Interesting, as well as trying our best to cover the different periods of his career.

I think in particular there are many examples of his work during the Bronze age that probably doesn't really count as his "Best", but given the fact that they are just brimming with wonderful ideas that don't quite Gel, they are well worthy of analysis.

I would suggest a list that consisted of:
-An early issue Captain America from the Golden Age. The title and character that put Kirby on the map.
-An issue of the 50's Fighting American for a contrasting Patriot Hero in a different context, and a look at his Satirical side
-an issue of Fantastic Four at it's peak with the Lee/Kirby team... I agree with "This Man, This Monster", although you can't go wrong with Coming of Galactus either. The reason I'd go with "This Man, This Monster" is because the focus on The Thing, who was "Kirby's voice" on the title, and contrasting it with the original pre-publication conception of The Thing, who by most accounts was intended as a selfish, unlikable character.
-an issue of a New Gods title. My own tastes sway towards Mister Miracle.
-a title from his return to Marvel. I've already suggested Machine Man's 1st appearance in 2001, but Black Panther and The Eternals has plenty of interesting bits.
-HUNGER DOGS. This is a must-read, if only because it was probably the last "Big Thing" he had to say within the medium of comics.




I haven't read Captain Victory or Silver Star since the eighties, and I wasn't much of a fan at the time, but it might be worthwhile revisiting them given their significance as Kirby's first published creator owned work.

[samurainoir]

I was taking a look at Kirby's work on Fantastic Four. Take a look at where the Hulk first appears:

http://www.htmlcomics.com/Book/html....lpha=F&Lookup=

This might be a great issue to look at. It's Thing-centric, and provides The Hulk as a good contrast as another Kirby "Monster" creation, albeit one he had much less personal stake in. Not quite Lee and Kirby at their peak on FF though.

[Brazoo]

Without a doubt, Jack's finest work was his run inked by Joe Sinnott on Fantastic Four 44 to 102 including annuals 5 & 6, introducing a slew of Kirby characters such as, the Silver Surfer, Galactus, Black Panther and the Inhumans.

ABSOLUTELY 100%

[samurainoir]

[thunderbolt]

^^^ Really dig Kirby's return to Marvel in the 70's. Some really great underappreciated stuff.