Marvel continues its “feast or famine” scheduling, with just a trivial Kirby bit in their latest solicitations. MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DOCTOR STRANGE v2 continues the STRANGE TALES reprints and also promises a gallery of ST covers with Doc (the first volume was the only Masterwork without cover reprints). A few of those will be by Kirby.

AC Comics has this thing scheduled:

AMERICA’S GREATEST COMICS #13
by Various
Comics’ greatest artistic talents explore fantasy, sci-fi and humor in this cross-section of classics- Kirby on “Donnegan’s Daffy Chair”; Meskin for “Invisible Link”; Powell does “Asylum”; Ditko draws “King of Planetoid X”; Cole does “King of Dopi Island”; Krigstein contributes “Bush Track Sentence”; and Kubert “Corsairs From The Coalsack.”
52pgs, B&W SRP: $6.95

That’s a silly but fun four page story with some nice art.

And Pure Imagination has this:

COMPLETE JACK KIRBY CD ROM VOLUME 1
by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
The first two volumes of The Complete Jack Kirby in one CD-Rom. Almost four hundred pages reprinted chronologically with historical analysis by Kirby historian Greg Theakston. CD extras include over 200 perviously un-reprinted examples of his comic strip work, rare photos and a previously unpublished interview. Works on Macs and PCs, Adobe Acrobat reader included. Pages can be printed.
CD-Rom SRP: $20.00

Very good stuff in the print version of those two books, so this is definitely worth it if you don’t have those. Even with those I’m tempted by the further examples of Kirby’s comic strip work and the interview.

Marvel is starting a line of digests that will sell for $1 each, 64 page black and white books, some of them will be edited for the format. The first set are out in July and there’s Kirby artwork in four or five of them (depending on if they include covers)

SPIDER-MAN: AMAZING FANTASY DOLLAR DIGEST
Collects AMAZING FANTASY #15, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1, #2

FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FAMILY DOLLAR DIGEST
Collects FANTASTIC FOUR #1-#3

AVENGERS: ASSEMBLE DOLLAR DIGEST
Collects AVENGERS #1-#3

SPIDER-MAN: DOCTOR OCTOPUS DOLLAR DIGEST
Collects AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3,#4,#5

HULK: HULK SMASH DOLLAR DIGEST
Collects HULK #1-#3

X-MEN: CHILDREN OF THE ATOM
Collects X-MEN #1-#3

Looks like only a few things to mention, one fanzine, one Marvel book with two short stories and two comics from AC, one with a lot of Kirby. Weird how Marvel goes from a half-dozen books for the past two months to one almost trivial book this time.

JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #43
80 pages – Tabloid Format
It’s an Extended Family Affair in JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #43, spotlighting the recipients of the Jack Kirby Award at the 2004 San Diego Comicon! Behind sterling Kirby covers featuring the Silver Surfer (inked by Joe Sinnott) and Silver Star (the original presentation drawing, never-seen and hand-colored by Kirby himself), we present our most personal issue yet, as those closest to the Kirbys share memories, anecdotes, momentos, photos, and never-seen art from Jack and Roz! Included are former Kirby assistant STEVE SHERMAN and his brother GARY in an uproarious feature interview, plus contributions from RAY WYMAN, MIKE THIBODEAUX, and many others! Plus: A never-published 1966 interview with KIRBY himself! Our regular columnists and features, including MARK EVANIER answering Frequently Asked Questions about Jack! A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT that will change Kirby collecting forever! And a special 1960s Gallery showcasing a Kirby pencils-to-Sinnott inks comparison of TALES OF SUSPENSE #93, featuring Kirby in his penciling prime, and at whopping TABLOID SIZE!

Sounds like some good stuff. Anyone know what the “surprise announcement” is going to be? Hopefully something regarding reprints of Kirby’s work.

AC COMICS

AMERICA’S GREATEST COMICS #12
by Various
Special Kirby Heroes, Monsters & that ‘ol Black Magic issue! This month, the America’s Greatest focus is on the 1950’s efforts of the classic Simon & Kirby creative team, with three fantasy stories from Prize Comics’ Black Magic title; Davey Crockett, Stuntman Revisited, sci-fi rarities, and more.
52pgs, B&W SRP: $6.95

BEST OF THE WEST #52
by Various
The finest Western stories of the 1950’s, starting off with Davey Crockett, as drawn by Jack Kirby. Then, it’s Redmask, by Frank Bolle; The Haunted Horseman by Dick Ayers, Wild Bill Pecos, The Durango Kid, and more. Top quality reprints of the best of the era.
44pgs, B&W SRP: $6.95

Hopefully the AMERICA’S GREATEST issue will have some stuff that hasn’t been included in other reprints. Lots of good stuff from that era that hasn’t seen print since.

MARVEL MILESTONES: DR. STRANGE, SILVER SURFER, SUB-MARINER & HULK
Written by STAN LEE & BILL EVERETT
Penciled by BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH, JACK KIRBY & BILL EVERETT
Cover by BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH
The Defenders have their day! In honor of this month’s DEFENDERS #1, Dr. Strange faces death in the unreal dream world of Nightmare in a story from MARVEL PREMIERE #3! Plus: the Silver Surfer vs. Quasimodo from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #5, the first appearance of the Sub-Mariner from MARVEL COMICS #1 and the origin of the Hulk from HULK #3.
48 PGS. / $3.99

No, that Hulk story hasn’t been reprinted too much, not at all. I think this will only be the 11th or 12th time it was reprinted. The Surfer story will be nice to have, and Bill Everett reprints are always good.

Wow. Bucketful of stuff to list here. Explain this to me. In all of 2003, Marvel published one, count ’em, one new book with substantial Kirby art. Now we get this. Not really complaining, better a flood than drought, but spread ’em out a bit, dudes.

FANTASTIC FOUR OMNIBUS Vol. 1 HC
ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 4 TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 2
CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JACK KIRBY: BICENTENNIAL BATTLES TPB
MARVEL MILESTONES: DR. DOOM, SUB-MARINER & RED SKULL

Five books in five very different formats. I’m most excited by the over-due release of ESSENTIAL FF v4, four years after v3. Some great Kirby/Sinnott classics in there. BICENTENNIAL BATTLES is also good stuff, should look good even with the tabloid issue shrunk down. It’s nice to see a MILESTONES issue with all classic material this time, which should be a good sampler of the Golden Age Masterworks books for Cap and Subby. And then there’s that FF OMNIBUS book. Wow. Very tempting, moreso than the MAXIMUM FF book listed before (no word on the status of that one). I assume by oversize they mean the size of the VISIONARIES books.

I’ve tossed in the listing for the FF MOVIE TPB, which just says it’ll include some classic FF stories in addition to the adaptation of the movie. Logically that would mean some Kirby (there are classic non-Kirby FF stories?), but you never know.

FANTASTIC FOUR OMNIBUS Vol. 1 HC
Written by STAN LEE & JACK KIRBY
Cover & pencils by JACK KIRBY
Variant Dust Jackets by JACK KIRBY & ALEX ROSS
They were visionaries. Explorers. Imaginauts. They were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. And like their creations – the Fantastic Four – they continually strove to overcome the impossible and achieve the extraordinary. Now, the first three years of their landmark run on FANTASTIC FOUR – issues #1-30 and Annual #1 – are collected in one oversized volume. This keepsake edition also includes all original letters pages and pinups, critical commentaries, a historical overview, and other DVD-style extras – and features the best-ever reproduction of FANTASTIC FOUR #1.
848 pgs, $99.99
TRIM SIZE: OVERSIZED
Please Note: this will be a limited printing

ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 4 TPB
Written by STAN LEE
Pencils & Cover by JACK KIRBY
Relive more of the FF’s classic exploits as they stand united against Dr. Doom, Annihilus and Galactus! Featuring the first appearances of the Kree and the microversal Psycho-Man! Guest-starring Spider-Man, Daredevil, Thor and the Warlock formerly known as Him! Lee and Kirby were the ones who started it all, and they kept it going in these cosmic tales! Collects FANTASTIC FOUR #64-83 and ANNUAL #5-6.
536 PGS/$16.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1484-X

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 2
Written by STAN LEE & ROY THOMAS
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, GIL KANE & JACK SPARLING
Cover by JACK KIRBY
Who loves seconds? We love seconds—a second sensational serving of the Sentinel of Liberty! Yes, that’s right, the Mighty Minions of Marvel are chipping the next Cap Masterworks free from its icy fifteen-year slumber and you’re invited to the homecoming party. So strap on your shield and prepare for a barrage of Stan and Jack’s best as Cap (with a little help from his friends, the Avengers) battles a bevy of baddies like the strange Super-Adaptoid—the super-powered robot with the combined powers of the Avengers. And if an android passing himself off as Cap was as odious as you thought, the Red Skull tries to convince the people of America that Cap’s turned traitor. Yikes! Don’t crawl into your fallout shelter in shame, though. Our boy will bounce back to take on a hearty helping of that horrendous head, M.O.D.O.K.., in his first-ever appearance, before taking it home in a scintillating struggle against Baron Zemo, guest-starring Nick Fury, the Black Panther and Cap’s super-spy gal, Sharon Carter! Reserve your star-spangled copy today! Collecting TALES OF SUSPENSE #82-99 and CAPTAIN AMERICA (VOL. 1) #100
240 PGS. / $49.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1785-7

CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JACK KIRBY: BICENTENNIAL BATTLES TPB
Written by JACK KIRBY
Pencils & Cover by JACK KIRBY
Cap goes cosmic in this collection of the King’s comics! See the Living Legend and the high-flying Falcon fight monsters and madmen in a dimension of disaster and follow up fighting a futuristic phantom! Finally, accompany Cap on a tour of history conveyed by the curious Contemplator! Collects CAPTAIN AMERICA #201-205 and MARVEL TREASURY SPECIAL FEATURING CAPTAIN AMERICA’S BICENTENNIAL BATTLES #1.
184 PGS. / $19.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1726-1

MARVEL MILESTONES: DR. DOOM, SUB-MARINER & RED SKULL
Written by BILL EVERETT, STAN LEE & ED HERRON
Penciled by BILL EVERETT, JACK KIRBY & JOE SIMON
Cover by ALEX SCHOMBURG
It’s SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP revisited as MARVEL MILESTONES brings on the bad guys! In a special preview of this month’s MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE SUB-MARINER VOL. 1, Prince Namor fights single-handed the world’s first deep-sea blitzkrieg, from SUB-MARINER COMICS #1! Plus: the fantastic origin of Dr. Doom from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #2, and the first appearance of the Red Skull from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1!
48 PGS. / $3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR: THE MOVIE TPB
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by DAN JURGENS
Photo Cover
The comic adaptation of the blockbuster motion picture starring Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Julian McMahon, this collection captures all the cinematic excitement of the new hit movie – plus a selection of the classic stories that inspired the film! Forty years ago, writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby created a team of adventurers like no other that had come before. Unlike previous groups of stone-jawed super heroes who got along perfectly in their pursuit of liberty and justice, the Fantastic Four bickered, argued and fought among themselves — just like a real family. Their continued adventures around the world, into outer space and throughout uncharted dimensions have pushed the limits of the Marvel Universe, consistently challenging readers’ perceptions of what a comic book could be!
120 PGS. / $12.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1809-8

Kirby in a whole bunch of Marvel releases for May 2005, in a variety of formats. The most interesting is ESSENTIAL THOR v2, almost 600 pages of Kirby, most not reprinted in 30 years. Some good stuff in the BEST OF THE FF book, even some of the non-Kirby stuff which makes up the bulk of the book. And it’s good to see those two Tuk stories, although I still think the MARVEL MILESTONE selection is a bit unfocused. The MAXIMUM FF book is a bit odd to see. I suspect Evanier will post more on his site, and I’ll link to that when he does.

ESSENTIAL THOR VOL. 2 TPB
AVENGERS: KANG – TIME AND TIME AGAIN TPB (one story)
BEST OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 1 HC (five stories)
GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #3 (two stories)
MARVEL MILESTONES: WOLVERINE, X-MEN AND TUK THE CAVE BOY (two short stories)
MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR (see details below)
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 2 (covers of the ToS issues)

ESSENTIAL THOR VOL. 2 TPB
Written by STAN LEE
Penciled by JACK KIRBY
Cover by JACK KIRBY
Witness classic cosmic clashes between the God of Thunder and his evil stepbrother, Loki; the Absorbing Man, the Destroyer; and more of his most fearsome foes! Plus: Thor’s first journey into the Black Galaxy and a reporter’s firsthand account of Asgard! Guest-starring the Avengers and featuring the first appearance of Hercules! Collects THOR #113-136 and Annual #1-2.
584 PGS./ALL AGES/BLACK & WHITE …$16.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1591-9)

AVENGERS: KANG – TIME AND TIME AGAIN TPB
Written by STAN LEE, ROY THOMAS & ROGER STERN
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, SAL BUSCEMA, HERB TRIMPE & JOHN BUSCEMA
Cover by JOHN BUSCEMA
The super-villainy of Kang the Conqueror…unleashed at last! You’ve seen his true colors in YOUNG AVENGERS; now, see what came before! In a classic contest, the Grandmaster and Kang pit the Avengers against the Squadron Sinister and the wartime Invaders! And when the self-proclaimed “Ultimate Kang” sets outs to conquer his alternate-reality counterparts, only one force can possibly halt his mad march: himself!? Plus: Kang takes on Thor and the Hulk! Collecting AVENGERS #69-71 and #267-269, THOR #140, and HULK #135.
176 PGS./MARVEL PSR …$19.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1820-9

BEST OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 1 HC
Written by STAN LEE, ARCHIE GOODWIN, ROY THOMAS, JOHN BYRNE, KARL KESEL, MARK WAID, BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH & ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, JOHN BUSCEMA, GEORGE PEREZ, JOHN BYRNE, STUART IMMONEN, MIKE WIERINGO, BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH & STEVE MCNIVEN
Follow the FF from their original adventure to the height of their success! Caught in a mental maelstrom of alien enemies! Trips into the Negative Zone, Subterranea and the soul of Ben Grimm! The triumph and tragedy of Mr. Fantastic! The Thing vs. the Thing! And who will be the last hero standing in the ultimate war…of practical jokes? Featuring Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, the Impossible Man, Daredevil and more! Collects FANTASTIC FOUR #1, #39-40, #51, #100, #116, #176, #236, and #267; FANTASTIC FOUR (Vol. 3) #56 and #60; MARVEL FANFARE #15; MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #50; and MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #4.
360 PGS./MARVEL PSR …$29.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1782-2

GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #3
Written by JOSS WHEDON
Pencils by DAVE COCKRUM
New Cover by DAVE COCKRUM
Featuring Classic Reprints by STAN LEE, JACK KIRBY & WERNER ROTH
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of 1975’s GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 and #2 comes a colossal collection of the X-Men’s greatest team-ups – plus a brand-new untold tale of the All-New, All-Different X-Men by JOSS WHEDON and DAVE COCKRUM! The X-Men tangle with the FF in FANTASTIC FOUR #28 (July 1964), the Might Avengers guest-star in X-MEN #9 (January 1964) and along comes a Spider-Man in X-MEN #35 (August 1967)!
80 Pgs/ Marvel PSR… 4.99

MARVEL MILESTONES: WOLVERINE, X-MEN AND TUK THE CAVE BOY
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Penciled by JOHN BUSCEMA, RICK LEORNARDI, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Cover by WALTER SIMONSON
Celebrating 65 years of titanic tomes from the House of Ideas, MARVEL MILESTONES makes its triumphant return to the comics scene! Experience the highs, lows and in-betweens of Marvel’s finest — monthly — in full color! This issue: In a special preview of next month’s MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS: WOLVERINE VOL. 1 TPB, Logan makes his first foray as Patch into Madripoor — an island nation where anything goes, and everything is for sale — in a story from MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #1! Plus: Storm and Cyclops battle for leadership of the X-Men in UNCANNY X-MEN #201, and Tuk the Caveboy stars in stories from the Dark Ages from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1 and #2.
48 PGS./Marvel PSR …$3.99

MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR
Introduction and afterword by WALTER MOSLEY
Commentary by MARK EVANIER
Designed by PAUL SAHRE
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 Written by STAN LEE & Illustrated by JACK KIRBY
Ushering in momentous change in comic-book illustration and ingenuity, Jack Kirby’s immense artistic contribution to FANTASTIC FOUR #1 revolutionized visual storytelling and brought the art of reality to the extraordinary lives of super heroes. The ripple effects of that single issue continue to influence comic-book art to this day. As a tribute to Kirby’s rendering of Marvel’s First Family and their first adventure, MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR re-presents FANTASTIC FOUR #1 AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE – highlighted by a super-size, digitally remastered, panel-by-panel exploration of the entire issue that captures every single detail and nuance of Kirby’s groundbreaking artwork. The book also contains a substantial introduction and afterword by bestselling author and comic-book enthusiast Walter Mosley; art commentary by Kirby expert Mark Evanier; the stunning design of Paul Sahre; and a scale-sized, high-resolution reproduction of FF #1. This immaculately packaged coffee-table masterpiece is must-have for any Jack Kirby enthusiast, Fantastic Four fanatic, or sequential art fan!
224 PGS./All Ages …$49.99
Format: Jacketed hardcover
Trim size: 8 7/8″ x 11 7/8″
Special effects: four-color matte lamination, spot UV gloss jacket with embossing and foil, four-color matte lamination, spot UV case.
ISBN: 0-7851-1792-X

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 2
Written by STAN LEE
Penciled by DON HECK
Cover by DON HECK
Marvel’s Man of Metal makes his triumphant return to the Masterworks! Yes, it’s time to fess up and Face Front, True Believers: After a thirteen-year vacation, the iron-clad Avenger’s back with his sophomore effort at long last. But it’s guaranteed to be one harrowing homecoming!
This tome’s classic tales pit Tony Stark against a virtual who’s who of adversaries in the mighty Marvel manner that could only be brought to you by Stan Lee and the lavish pen of “Dashing” Don Heck! There’s the return of Iron Man’s arch-nemesis, the Mandarin, and said vile villain’s origin, followed up by the first appearance of the long-loved Avenger, Hawkeye — but he’s not playing on the side of angels here. No, he’s teamed-up with the Black Widow against ol’ Iron Boots! And finally, Iron Man must test his mettle against no less than Captain America and his own Iron Man armor as the new Iron Man fights the old! It’s a slam-bang barrage of Marvel classics with drama galore and a little ’60s Russkie “Red Scare” that can’t be beat. Reserve your copy today! Collecting TALES OF SUSPENSE #51-65.
240 PGS./ALL AGES …$49.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1771-7

A couple of nice releases scheduled for April. Pure Imagination returns to the COMPLETE series with more from 1947, which should be fun, and TJKC looks at the 1970s at DC, and have managed to dig up yet another Kirby interview. Man, it’s a wonder he was able to draw as much as he did with all these fans interviewing him all the time.

Also, check out www.arflovers.com for more on the previously mentioned MODERN ARF, including a look at a page of the Kirby story that will be reprinted in there, plus a caricature of Kirby by artist David Cowles and a look at Roy Lichtenstein’s use of a Kirby panel.

COMPLETE JACK KIRBY VOLUME 5 TP
The work of Jack Kirby, “The King of Comics,” continues to be reprinted in this ongoing series. This time it’s from the fall of 1947, and features a red-hot series of stories by Kirby in his prime! Important moments in Comics history which include the first issue of Young Romance, the first romance comic; as well as Justice Traps the Guilty #1, with a cover featuring a killer in the electric chair, ready to fry! No wonder it sold out on the stands! Also included are three Flyin’ Fool stories, his last Lockjaw the Alligator, and Earl The Rich Rabbit stories; crime from Headline Comics; and high-school humor from My Date Comics. A must-have for the fans of Jack Kirby!
SC, 8×11, B&W SRP: $25.00

JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #42
This is the “Hip” issue, spotlighting all the funky, clunky stuff Kirby did at 1970s DC Comics! From Jimmy Olsen and Dingbats of Danger Street, to Kung-Fu Fighter and Soul Love, you’ll get it all! The issue features Kirby covers inked by Kevin Nowlan (Guardian and the Newsboy Legion) and Murphy Anderson (if you ever wondered what Jimmy Olsen would’ve looked like if Murphy had inked the whole book — and not just the Jimmy and Superman heads — you’ll find out as he inks the unused Kirby cover from Jimmy Olsen #147! Also, both inkers share their thoughts on inking the King! Plus, a never-published interview with Kirby himself! Includes the usual columnists and features, including Mark Evanier answering Frequently Asked Questions. And a colossal gallery of Jack’s finest pencil work at whopping tabloid size!
Tabloid, 10 x 15, 80pgs, B&W SRP: $9.95

Just a quick note that while looking through Amazon’s listings, they have a book called CAPTAIN AMERICA: BICENTENNIAL BATTLES due next summer. These early listings on Amazon are always subject to change, and there are no content listings, but I would imagine this will include the tabloid format book of that title, along with some issues of the regular run of CAP from that era (maybe ANNUAL #3).

Other upcoming books noticed that hadn’t been announced elsewhere, ESSENTIAL FF v4 and a paperback edition of Ronin Ro’s TALES TO ASTONISH.

Amazon has more details on the previously mentioned MODERN ARF from Fantagraphics. It will have a complete Kirby story. To add to the details below, it’s a 5 page story from Harvey’s ALARMING TALES #1, 1957. The bit about not being reprinted isn’t strictly true, but that was just a digest and not that easy to find. The added incentive about it being reprinted from the original art (not clear if it’ll be colour or not, I’d be happy with either) in a large 9×12 format makes this very attractive.

Modern Arf
by Craig Yoe

About the Author
Craig Yoe operates YOE! Studio from a mountaintop castle overlooking the Hudson River with his partner, Clizia Gussoni. YOE! creates toys to theme parks, animation to advertising for MTV, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Microsoft, and MAD Magazine.

Product Description:
An irreverent new journal devoted to the art of the comics.

Modern Arf is the first in a series of volumes in which the award-winning artist and editor, Craig Yoe, explores the unholy marriage of Modern Art and the Funnies in a bombastic and entertaining way.

The first blast features material created just for this book as well as classic material by Rube Goldberg, Jack Kirby, Hy Mayer, Winsor McCay, and Patrick McDonnell at the zenith of their wacky, surreal, and innovative best.

Patrick McDonnell rarely draws outside popular daily strip Mutts, but for the first volume of Arf he has contributed an exclusive four page strip of of surreal comics. They’re fun, they’re cool, they’re wordless, and they’re sublime.

Jack Kirby’s story, “The Fourth Dimension is a Many Splattered Thing,” reprinted from the original art, is Kirby at his most surreal, surely informed by cubism and certainly the inspiration for Steve Ditko’s later work on the exotic 1960s comic, Dr. Strange. It is published here for the first time since its original publication in the mid 1950s.

Hy Mayer, a forgotten cartoon surrealist, is represented with an astonishing series of mind-blowing “worm’s eye views.” It’s M.C. Escher meets Charles Schulz! Antonio Rubino is an early 20th century Italian cartooning master, whose breathtaking work was infused by cubism, futurism and art deco. Modern Arf will present a rich sampling of his work, including bookplates, paintings, and comics.

Did you know Salvador Dalí drew comics? You’ll be able to see them in this first volume of Modern Arf accompanying an essay exploring his influence on comics, his animated cartoon, and examples of comic artists such as Steranko and Crepax who paid homage to the Spanish surrealist. Modern Arf is stunningly designed in an oversized format to give justice to the incredible art collected between its covers. The Arf series will delight both comic and fine art lovers. Both will be sure to exclaim, “I don’t know much about Arf, but this is what I like!” 120 pages black-and-white illustrations throughout and 48 pages in full color, 9″ x 12″.

A few other publishers have stuff of interest for March, in addition to the Marvel books listed in the last post. The stories in the AC book are from, respectively, BATTLE #68 and BLACK MAGIC v3#5. No idea what’s in the MODERN ARF thing, if it’ll have a full story or just a sample of art for an article.

AC
AMERICA’S GREATEST COMICS #11
Artists include Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Alex Toth and writers include Joe Gill. Special Steve Ditko issue featuring seven early classics: “3-D Death,” “The Night People,” “Night of the Red Snow”,”He’s Coming For Me,” “Little Boy Blue” (starring Mysterious Traveler ) and “The Shadow”. Plus, “Guard Duty”, penciled by Jack Kirby with inks by Ditko. Also. “Those Who Are About To Die” by Simon & Kirby and “Buster Crabbe” by Toth.
52pgs, B&W SRP: $6.95

Fantagraphics
MODERN ARF VOLUME 1 GN
edited by Craig Yoe
An irreverent new journal devoted to the art of the comics, Modern Arf is the first in a series of volumes in which the award-winning artist and editor, Craig Yoe, explores the unholy marriage of Modern Art and the Funnies, in a bombastic and entertaining way. The first blast features material created just for this book as well as classic material by Rube Goldberg, Jack Kirby, Hy Mayer, Winsor McCay, and Patrick McDonnell at the zenith of their wacky, surreal, and innovative best. Did you know Salvador Dalí drew comics? You’ll be able to see them in this first volume of Modern Arf accompanying an essay exploring his influence on comics, his animated cartoon, and examples of comic artists such as Steranko and Crepax who paid homage to the Spanish surrealist. Modern Arf is stunningly designed in an oversized format to give justice to the incredible art collected between its covers.
SC, 9×12, 128pgs, PC SRP: $19.95

TwoMorrows
ALTER EGO #46
This a special issue featuring the “Very Best of the 1960s-70s Alter Ego!” Behind a full-color cover by Bill (Sub-Mariner) Everett and Marie Severin (featuring all of Wild Bill’s greatest creations), there’s a kaleidoscopic cornucopia of the best and brightest stuff from the 1961-78 Alter Ego era! Features lots of newly-discovered art! Plus, there’s a classic 1969-70 interview by Roy Thomas with Bill Everett, the creator of Sub-Mariner, Amazing-Man, and Hydro-Man. In the interview, Bill tells of the early days, from Marvel Comics #1 through his 1960s work on Daredevil, Dr. Strange, The Incredible Hulk, and more. In this issue you’ll also have tons of rare vintage art by Carl Burgos, Paul Gustavson, Simon & Kirby, and many others! Plus 1960s A/E gems by Steve Ditko, E. Nelson Bridwell, Comics Code authority Len Darvin, Jerry Bails, Roy Thomas, and more. Rounding things out is Jim Amash’s interview with Lou Glanzman, the Golden Age artist of Amazing-Man, The Shark, and Air. Also, special tributes to Irv Novick and Christopher Reeve.
Magazine, 8×11, 100pgs, B&W SRP: $5.95

Three Kirby reprints from Marvel in March of 2005. This new MARVEL MILESTONE monthly book might prove interesting, especially if they don’t stick with the usual suspect reprints (we needed another reprint of the first Captain America story? Hopefully it’ll look nicer than the last reprint). The first Ant-Man will be nice, as I don’t think it’s seen a colour reprint in decades outside of a rather rare hardcover. I assume there’ll be other stories in #1, as those three listed only come to 28 pages.

Another FF Masterworks is good to see. Should just be two more to complete Kirby’s run (minus the cut together #108), as this has the last original material annual.

The Golden Age Cap hardcover is rescheduled from last month. Hopefully it’ll look good, as I’ve heard very little good about Marvel’s other recent hardcover of non-Kirby work from the era. For those who have the previous hardcover or softcover reprints, this will have a number of stories (mostly the non-Cap stuff) that haven’t been reprinted before.

MARVEL MILESTONE: IRON MAN’S FIRST APPEARANCE
Written by STAN LEE, LARRY LIEBER, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Penciled by DON HECK, DICK AYERS, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Celebrating 65 years of titanic tomes from the House of Ideas, MARVEL MILESTONES makes its triumphant return to the comics scene! The first issue of this new monthly series features key reprints of your favorite Avengers; Iron Man, Ant Man and Captain America. Just in time for ULTIMATE IRON MAN #1 comes a true tale of suspense! Iron Man lives in TALES OF SUSPENSE #39! Plus: the first appearances of Ant-Man from TALES TO ASTONISH #27 and Captain America from CAPTAIN AMERICA
COMICS #1!
48 PGS./All Ages …$3.99

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 8
Written by STAN LEE
Pencils & Cover by JACK KIRBY
Pony up, True Believer, the amazing eighth manic Masterworks featuring the First Family of Funnybooks is coming your way! Collecting an ironclad cadre of consecrated classics, this one’s packed with more drama than you can shake a Skrull at! Let’s break it down: the Silver Surfer pursued by none other than the world-devouring Galactus; the FF vs. Spidey, DD and Thor in a barnstorming brouhaha; a fantastic voyage into the Microverse to battle the Psycho Man; the Thing—cured!; the first appearance of Annihilus; Crystal, the Inhuman, joins the FF, and one of comics’ most historic moments, the birth of Franklin Richards—it just doesn’t stop!
This one’s a humdinger so chock-full of excitement it’s ready to burst! And it’s all
brought to you by no less than the minds that made Marvel magnificent, Stan and Jack!
‘Nuff Said!
Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (VOL. 1) #72-81 and ANNUAL #6
272 PGS./All Ages …$49.99
ISBN: 0-7851-1694-X

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 HC
Story & Art by JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY
Continuing the celebration of its 65th anniversary, Marvel Comics is proud to re-present the earliest adventures of Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty! This monumental hardcover volume re-masters and restores the first four historic issues of Captain America from 1941. Return to the Golden Age of comics as Cap and Bucky come face to face with the Red Skull, the Ringmaster of Death, Nazi minions and more!
264 PGS. / ALL AGES . . . $49.99
UPC: 5960611619-00111
ISBN: 0-7851-1619-2