Did Warren Ellis really hate Jack Kirby?

[williamtheday]

I've never read The Authority, but I've seen reviews that say the book really trashed The King. Is this so? And was Ellis(was it him or someone else, I don't quite remember) ever called out on it?

[Carabas]

I've never read The Authority, but I've seen reviews that say the book really trashed The King. Is this so? And was Ellis(was it him or someone else, I don't quite remember) ever called out on it?

That was when Ellis had already left and Mark Millar had taken over the book.

And yeah, didn't seem like an affectionate parody at all to me.

[Shawn Hopkins]

The ire is more aimed at Marvel and D.C. In the end the Authority actually recruits Dr. Jacob Krigstein to work with them. I guess the metaphor is "Superhero comics are fine, if you do them our way."

[ed2962]

The story you're thinking of was written by Mark Millar. And while I think the story did Kirby no favors, I don't think it was due to any dislike of the man. I think it's just Millar trying to be shocking and irreverent. Keep in mind this is the story where "batman" attacks/possibly rapes "capt america" with a jack hammer...

[Michael P]

Ellis showed great reverence for Kirby in his series of essays "Do Anything".

Millar? Don't really care what he thinks.

[dzub]

In a nutshell: Mark Millar being Mark Millar

[CSTowle]

The story you're thinking of was written by Mark Millar. And while I think the story did Kirby no favors, I don't think it was due to any dislike of the man. I think it's just Millar trying to be shocking and irreverent. Keep in mind this is the story where "batman" attacks/possibly rapes "capt america" with a jack hammer...

It's what he does. Normally that sort of thing doesn't bother me in comics/TV/movies, I just tune it out (you also have to go pretty far to shock me). But I've read a lot of good stories by Millar and know he's capable of delivering them without the shock factor. So it's disappointing.

[jeanvaljean]

It's what he does. Normally that sort of thing doesn't bother me in comics/TV/movies, I just tune it out (you also have to go pretty far to shock me). But I've read a lot of good stories by Millar and know he's capable of delivering them without the shock factor. So it's disappointing.

Agreeing 100%. His best stories may be those he did for the animated universe comics.

[williamtheday]

Sorry, Warren Ellis, I should have rechecked the facts.

[CSTowle]

Eh, pretty easy mistake. Same book, both writers from the UK, similar style (pushing buttons, though I'd argue Ellis uses his shock moments to enhance the story rather than substitute for it), back to back on the book.

[Bruce Wayne]

It's what he does. Normally that sort of thing doesn't bother me in comics/TV/movies, I just tune it out (you also have to go pretty far to shock me). But I've read a lot of good stories by Millar and know he's capable of delivering them without the shock factor. So it's disappointing.

This is a person who is willing to say and do anything to get ahead, it's hardly unexpected given that he once upon a time apparently tried to equate one of his former employers with a child molester when just a few years back he had waxed about that same person helping him out financially.

[CSTowle]

Can't say as I'm familiar with that story, got a link?