Jack Kirby

[Enigmatic Undead]

I really enjoyed Kirby and Lee's 6 issue run of Incredible Hulk. Still some of my favorite Kirby artwork.

[Fan of Bronze]

.
.
.
Is the F4 or Thor omnibuses tell a whole story of sorts? Something that begins and then ends? That's a bit why I'm thinking about buying the 4th world stuff (even if the story is really funky haha), but I could totally go for a collection of stories (preferably DC) too.
.
.
.

(How to answer?) There was no "ending" to Lee's & Kirby's Fantastic Four or Thor runs in any sense except that, one day, Kirby was gone, and a couple of years later, Lee was gone. On the other hand, there were lots of endings, because each storyline was for a limited number of issues.

Also, it would be a mistake to think that the Fourth World is any different. Those titles were canceled out from under Kirby. He still had many stories to tell with those characters. He got a couple of chances in the mid-1980s to extend the story and wrap things up if he wanted to (New Gods reprint #6, and Hunger Dogs graphic novel). In neither case did Kirby provide a wrap-it-all-up ending.

[Chazro]

As far as his artwork, I always felt his cleanest and most inspired was mid-60's thru the early 70's. Here's the thing, by the time he went to DC I felt his artwork was past its prime BUT....his mind was still in its prime. He created his ass off at DC! When you compare Kirby's DC creations to his work at Marvel, think about god concepts (Thor/Asgard) and sc/fi concepts (FF), and you'll realize that not only did Jack Kirby do a lot more than draw, but in lieu of Stan Lee's success, he was severely ripped off! Getting back to his artwork, it's commonly known that DC routinely re/drew his Superman faces. IMO the Jack Kirby that drew the 1st FF books (and so much more) could've drawn acceptable Superman faces with his hands tied behind his back. But by the time be landed at DC, not so much.

[Alvarez]

As far as his artwork, I always felt his cleanest and most inspired was mid-60's thru the early 70's. Here's the thing, by the time he went to DC I felt his artwork was past its prime BUT....his mind was still in its prime. He created his ass off at DC! When you compare Kirby's DC creations to his work at Marvel, think about god concepts (Thor/Asgard) and sc/fi concepts (FF), and you'll realize that not only did Jack Kirby do a lot more than draw, but in lieu of Stan Lee's success, he was severely ripped off! Getting back to his artwork, it's commonly known that DC routinely re/drew his Superman faces. IMO the Jack Kirby that drew the 1st FF books (and so much more) could've drawn acceptable Superman faces with his hands tied behind his back. But by the time be landed at DC, not so much.

This is pretty spot on.

[Kirby101]

As far as his artwork, I always felt his cleanest and most inspired was mid-60's thru the early 70's. Here's the thing, by the time he went to DC I felt his artwork was past its prime BUT....his mind was still in its prime. He created his ass off at DC! When you compare Kirby's DC creations to his work at Marvel, think about god concepts (Thor/Asgard) and sc/fi concepts (FF), and you'll realize that not only did Jack Kirby do a lot more than draw, but in lieu of Stan Lee's success, he was severely ripped off! Getting back to his artwork, it's commonly known that DC routinely re/drew his Superman faces. IMO the Jack Kirby that drew the 1st FF books (and so much more) could've drawn acceptable Superman faces with his hands tied behind his back. But by the time be landed at DC, not so much.

I disagree that his art skills diminished when he went to DC. They had evolved and he was but they were still strong. If you read Hand of Fire, it is gone into in great detail.
I don't have time now, but I will try to write a longer post about this with illustrations later in the week.

[Alvarez]

I disagree that his art skills diminished when he went to DC. They had evolved and he was but they were still strong. If you read Hand of Fire, it is gone into in great detail.
I don't have time now, but I will try to write a longer post about this with illustrations later in the week.

I thought he was talking about his latter DC work.
Hmmmm... I'll retract my statement.

[CliffHanger2]

As far as his artwork, I always felt his cleanest and most inspired was mid-60's thru the early 70's. Here's the thing, by the time he went to DC I felt his artwork was past its prime BUT....his mind was still in its prime. He created his ass off at DC! When you compare Kirby's DC creations to his work at Marvel, think about god concepts (Thor/Asgard) and sc/fi concepts (FF), and you'll realize that not only did Jack Kirby do a lot more than draw, but in lieu of Stan Lee's success, he was severely ripped off! Getting back to his artwork, it's commonly known that DC routinely re/drew his Superman faces. IMO the Jack Kirby that drew the 1st FF books (and so much more) could've drawn acceptable Superman faces with his hands tied behind his back. But by the time be landed at DC, not so much.

I don't think it's that he couldn't draw Superman's face. It's just DC had strict rules about Superman's appearance they didn't want the full on Jack Kirby version. Which at the time would have been more abstract. I think Kirby had an early interview where he says DC hated his version of Batman and that's when he was teamed up with Joe Simon. It's part of the reason he was so ardent about drawing his own creations.

I like the more abstract style he developed at DC though it just showed his growth as an artist. His F.F is crazy too the height of his polished style.

[T Guy]

There are old collections of the 4th World stuff but IIRC those collections are in B&W.
You could try his Demon, Eternals, Kamandi, The Losers and OMAC runs.

DC have more recently done the Fourth World in colour in four volumes.

[Billy Batson]

DC have more recently done the Fourth World in colour in four volumes.

Yes, borntohula mentioned them in his post? I did forget to say that I he should get them as well, though.

[Godzylla]

Love EVERYTHING Kirby.
Even him and Joe Simon's romance stuff.

I'm an addict and I have a problem.

That's a good addiction to have! I have the same one.

I would LOVE to see an oversize omnibus or (better yet!) absolute-style collection of Kirby's complete 2001: A Space Odyssey.

[borntohula]

Am I wrong to think that Kirby's Devil Dinosaur looks pretty damn awesome?

Anyone who read it?

Thinking about picking up one of the collections. Love the idea of a man/monkey boy riding around a red dinosaur who stomps and kicks his enemies haha.

[Godzylla]

I love Devil Dinosaur! I got the originals when they came out and the hardcover a few years ago. It's not science, but it's FUN!

[John Keyt]

Me to Devil Dinosaur , Black Panther . Are my favorites. A friend just got a splash page of Devil Dinosaur and man its awesome . Won't say how much it cost but wow a Kirby page .

[T Guy]

Love EVERYTHING Kirby.
Even him and Joe Simon's romance stuff.

I'm an addict and I have a problem.

I don't see that liking Kirby's romance work is a problem. The only problem would be if you were unable to see that it is among his best material.

[John Pannozzi]

Anyone wish they would collect Destroyer Duck? A trade by About Comics was planned back in 2007, but for whatever reason, it never came out. The back issues are still easy to come by, but a new collection would give the series more visibility.