Jack Kirby Comics Weblog » Links

-Link- Wall Street Journal on Kirby

Bob — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:03:45 +0000

On the occasion of some financial records related to Kirby creations, the Wall Street Journal has an interesting article, “Fighting to Rescue the Lost Avenger” by Bruce Bennett.

-Link- Roundtable on Kirby and HAND OF FIRE

Bob — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:01:42 +0000

The Comics Journal is hosting a roundtable discussion (part one, part two, part three) about Jack Kirby, specifically some issues raised by Charles Hatfield’s recent publication HAND OF FIRE, featuring contributions by Jeet Heer, Sarah Boxer, Robert Fiore, Glen David Gold, Doug Harvey, Jonathan Lethem, and Dan Nadel. And I just noticed that HAND OF FIRE is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other formats, significantly more affordable (and searchable) than the print formats, so I’ll probably pick that up when I have the time to read it.

I just quickly skimmed through, since I haven’t read HAND OF FIRE yet, but I see SILVER STAR is discussed quite a bit in the roundtable, if not in the book, so a good chance to remind you that it’s available digitally from Image for just $9 (also available directly in the Comixology and Image apps). Haven’t checked it, since the three different print editions I have are enough for now, but from the page count I’m pretty sure the digital version includes the 1970s screen treatment by Kirby and Steve Sherman.

-Link- Kirby in 1975 Science Fiction anthology

Bob — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:15:33 +0000

This is a neat little discovery. FOREVER PEOPLE #1 [1971] was reprinted in a 1975 anthology LOOKING AHEAD, along with some study guide questions (Do you think the symbolism of “boom tube” and “mother box” would be lost on young … Continue reading →

-Link- HAND OF FIRE by Hatfield

Bob — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:07:26 +0000

Charles Hatfield has a book coming up in January 2012 from the University Press of Mississippi called HAND OF FIRE: THE COMICS ART OF JACK KIRBY, a 300 page exploration of some key aspects of Kirby’s work through the years. Should be an interesting read. Hatfield has a site up for the book, with a contents page and more to come, the publisher has a page with some more details and you can pre-order a copy at Amazon.

-Link- 1950s Kirby/Stein strip sample

Bob — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:17:38 +0000

The estate of artist Marvin Stein, who drew quite a few S&K studio comics, has been selling some of the work from his files, including the piece over at the right, a Jack Kirby pencilled piece from circa 1958 for an unrealized proposed comic strip called Space Busters. Most of you have probably seen the page before, in various recountings of the history of the Sky Masters strip, but the large scan at the site is quite a bit sharper and more detailed than any I’ve seen before, so worth a look.

Happy Birthday Jack Kirby

Bob — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:20:33 +0000

The subject of this very weblog, Jack Kirby, was born this day in 1917. I’m sure the sharp-eyed among you can figure out the theme for the six covers I chose to mark the day above.

Our host Rand Hoppe on Kirby and some upcoming Kirby Museum plans.

Harry Mendryk has the first page to use the Simon&Kirby credit line.

Buzz Dixon on meeting Kirby while working on THUNDARR.

John Kane talks some Losers.

Mark Evanier on Kirby, including a 1-hour documentary.

Colleen Doran shares a note from Jack and Roz Kirby and a photo with Jack Kirby.

-Link- Neal Kirby on Jack Kirby

Bob — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:17:40 +0000

For Father’s Day, Neal Kirby shares some thoughts on his father Jack Kirby, along with some great family photographs.

-Link- Kirby in early Comics Journal

Bob — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:16:20 +0000

On THE COMICS JOURNAL website they’ve begun to put up complete scanned issues from the earliest days. As I understand it eventually these archives will only be available to subscribers, but right now they’re open to all. Some Kirby content in those earliest issues (when it was actually THE NOSTALGIA JOURNAL), most of which was reprinted in the 2002 COMICS JOURNAL LIBRARY v1 – JACK KIRBY special (which is still available and you can get a free copy with a JOURNAL subscription), but it’s interesting to see it all in the original context.

From #27, the first Fantagraphics issue, a 1971 Kirby radio interview.

From #30, a Kirby/Sinnott cover, and the first half of a 1969 interview with Kirby.

From #31, the conclusion of that interview, including the penciled version of the cover to #30. And the cover to #31 is by Dave Cockrum, but it’s a topless drawing of Big Barda which might be of interest.

-Link- Jack Kirby art on Antiques Roadshow

Bob — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:13:48 +0000

There’s an episode of the PBS show THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW on in some markets tonight (check your local listings) featuring comics and artwork by Jack Kirby from his personal collection, brought in by one of his grandchildren. See details here. Video doesn’t seem to be up yet, but you can see some photos and a transcript of the segment. Especially interesting is the Boy Commandos ad, and the 1930s cartoon with the Kurtzberg signature. I’ll update this with more details when I’ve seen the segment.

Okay, seen it now. It’s a two minute segment at about the 45 minute mark of the show, if you want to see it next time it’s on. Or just go to the link above, the video is live now. The items were brought in by one of Jack Kirby’s grand-daughters, they don’t mention her name [Tracy Kirby, according to John Morrow]. Five really good pieces, well displayed in the video, and Kirby is credited as co-creator of many of his most well known characters by the resident expert.

-Link- Kirby art in CCS Bissette Collection exhibit

Bob — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:59:07 +0000

If you’re going to be around Vermont’s Center For Cartoon Studies in the next little while, check out the “Mentors and Monsters” art exhibit, featuring art from the collection of Steve Bissette. There’s a Kirby/Ayers original there (see the link for a taste of it), plus work by Jack Davis, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Alex Toth, Sam Glanzman, Al Williamson, Bernie Wrightson and others. Exhibit opens Friday, September 3, including a talk by Bissette, and you can also go see it Saturdays until October 16.