50 years ago today…

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At least according to some sources, this is what greeted people on the newsstands on Tuesday August 8, 1961, fifty years ago today:

That’s Jack Kirby’s FANTASTIC FOUR #1, for the one or two who don’t know.  Kirby would go on to draw over 2500 pages of FF stories, covers and features (not even counting numerous sketches for fans and cartoon storyboards).  And while certain elements were already in place (most notably including Captain America, Kirby’s co-creation with Joe Simon, Bill Everett’s Namor and Carl Burgos’ original android Human Torch) FF #1 is justifiably considered the launch of the collective universe that includes Kirby creations and co-creations like Thor, the Hulk, Iron Man, the X-Men and the Avengers, as well as the creations of many other talented writers and artists.  The universe I like to call Jack Kirby’s Third World…

[And yes, of course, he would have drawn it several months earlier, and by August 8 was probably at least into #3, where he introduced the team uniforms, the Fantasti-Car and the Baxter Building.  But let’s not quibble, it’s good to have a day to call the anniversary, and today’s the best choice]

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