“Unleash The One Who Waits” (k013)

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Posted in K100.

“Unleash The One Who Waits” is a 24-page Jack Kirby story from DC’s THE DEMON #1 [1972], inked and lettered by Mike Royer.

 

I think this story is among the best that Kirby ever did, and maybe the strongest first issue. The opening scene of the fall of Camelot under Morgaine Le Fey’s attack is just stunning, with one of Kirby’s best double page spreads, and establishes the premise of the series neatly. The move to the present day neatly introduces Jason Blood and the characters in his life, and it all builds to a great climax with the transformation of Blood to Etrigan (I suppose most people who read this story for the first time today will go in knowing that Jason Blood is Etrigan, so it’s kind of interesting that it’s presented as a bit of a twist at the end of the story).

Also in this story’s favour is Mike Royer’s work, by this time a year into being Kirby’s inker and definitely in complete control, really bringing the boldness and energy in Kirby’s art to the forefront.

https://www.comics.org/issue/25329/#172401
DC SPECIAL BLUE RIBBON DIGEST #5 [1980]
JACK KIRBY’S THE DEMON [2008]

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