Jack Kirby never got the credit and money he deserved when alive, but after leaving Marvel for DC in 1970, he did enjoy a certain degree of freedom. Sure, DC made some insane changes to his work — like redrawing Superman’s heads to match their house style — but the content of Kirby’s 1970s comics…
KIRBYOLOGY!: That Familiar Orange Monster (You Know Who)
Jack Kirby was a bit of a prophet, but he didn’t always foresee a rosy future of helpful satellites and friendly mother boxes. As Elana Levin pointed out in a fantastic article about a Forever People story, Kirby’s Glorious Godfrey is an uncanny dead ringer for a certain commander-in-chief. But I’m seeing familiar orange monstrosities…
KIRBYOLOGY!: Talking Kirby and Thor with Tom Scioli
All comic book artists are at least a little Kirbyesque, whether they know it or not. Jack Kirby’s insane resume of superhero, war, crime, sci-fi, and romance comics makes his influence inescapable. But the most blatantly Kirbyesque artist is probably Tom Scioli, who wears Kirby’s influence on his sleeve in projects such as Final Frontier,…
KIRBYOLOGY!: Jack Kirby Is My Religion
It’s been a tough couple of years. I’ve had a bunch of family problems. My so-called career as a freelance writer has been dicey. I wrote a book that flopped. My dog, contrary to my commands, keeps aging. The country and planet are going to hell in an orange bucket. A mid-life crisis is looming,…
COMICS CLASSROOM: The Role of Comics in Politics and Art [Part 1]
A question I come across rather frequently on the internet while reading reviews and commentaries of recent comics is the following. “What place is there for comics in political discussions?” I’ve always been more than a little baffled by this for a few reasons, chief among which are: the two iconic standard bearers of both…
Review: MISTER MIRACLE #2
MISTER MIRACLE #2 Written by Tom King Art by Mitch Gerads, Clayton Cowles Published by DC Comics Release Date: September 13, 2017 After a first issue like what Mister Miracle’s creative team delivered back in August, how exactly do you follow up such a great piece? A series like this, one written by a fantastic…
HAIL TO THE KING: Jack Kirby’s Best Marvel Characters
On this day, 100 years ago, a creative force was unleashed upon this planet. Jacob Kurtzberg, better known to the world as Jack Kirby, is one of the founding fathers of comics and it is no exaggeration to say that without his mighty talent, the industry would not be what it is. His prodigious output…
Review: NEW GODS SPECIAL #1
NEW GODS SPECIAL #1 Written by Shane Davis, Walter Simonson Art by Shane Davis, Michelle Delecki, Alex Sinclair, Troy Peteri, Dave Lanphear, Walter Simonson, Laura Martin, John Workman, Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, John Constanza, Mike Royer Published by DC Comics Release Date: August 2, 2017 One hundred. That’s how old Jack Kirby would have been…
Simon & Kirby’s FIGHTING AMERICAN Begins Anew at Titan
To celebrate Simon & Kirby’s legendary patriot hero, Fighting American, returning to comics – Titan Comics’ new series debuts on October 11, 2017 – the date of Joe Simon’s birthday, and also during the Kirby centennial year – with an incredible cover by fan-favorite artists, Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson! Hard times require hard heroes…
Review: KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1 Part 1: Story and Art by Dan DiDio, Keith Giffen, and Scott Koblish Part 2: Written by Dan Abnett Art by Dale Eaglesham Colors (both parts) by Hi-Fi Published by DC Comics Release Date: January 25, 2017 A bold experiment in comics storytelling begins, as fourteen creative teams take on the task…