'Kirby: King of Comics' There are a myriad of rivers that feed into the collective pop culture ocean that swirls around in my head. Cult monster/Sci-Fi movies...Classic Pro-Wrestling...Music of all different genres...Saturday Morning Cartoons...Vintage Arcade Games...the list goes on and on and on. Most of you who read this blog on even a semi-regular basis get a look inside said head and (lucky you) experience this useless knowledge firsthand.
Specifically, said regulars have likely noticed my recent rekindled love of all things comic-book related. It's not surprising, considering that comic book culture has played a HUGE influence on everything from film, TV, clothing and even hip-hop. One need look no further than last year's San Diego Comic-Con that went from your standard gathering for those looking to score a hard-to-find mint-condition copy of Alpha Flight #4 and/or dress up in a replica Iron Man costumer fashioned out of duct tape and tin foil...to star-laden Hollywood hype machine. Truly, the meek...make that GEEK...have inherited the earth.
However, before they became such massive creative fodder for a film/television industry dried out in a drought of original ideas...they were a huge part of my existence. They truly helped to shape the way I look at everything from art/design of ALL forms to storytelling to (even) politics. They served as fuel for my creative engine and nobody in the comic universe helped to provide that fuel more than one Mr. Jack Kirby (AKA 'Jolly' Jack/'King' Kirby) did.
My first likely exposure to (without even realizing it) the creative genius of Mr. Kirby, was a paperback collection of early issues of The Fantastic Four...one of the many Marvel staples he co-created that included The Original X-men, Captain America and The Incredible HULK. Throw in some of the the most popular Marvel protagonists like The Silver Surfer, Doctor Doom, Galactus, The Watcher, Magneto and The Inhumans...Kirby could (arguably) be considered the creative force behind Marvel's rise to become one of the 'big two' (w/ DC Comics) in the business.
Which brings me to my review of the wonderful new book by screenwriter and comic-book historian Mark Evanier, a Kirby friend and former assistant. 'Kirby: King of Comics' is a perfect blend of both biography and collected artwork that paints a picture of a truly special individual. Evanier brings Kirby's personality vividly alive: a child of the Great Depression who grew up to become a creative visionary under appreciated by clueless corporate executives and close-minded comics professionals. The book offers insight into how much his life story influenced what he brought to his work, almost becoming as fascinating as the treasure-trove of artwork found within it's pages.
The words in my review could never do the book and the unbelievable art found within justice. For fans of the man, it will bring you back to studying every nook and cranny of a Kirby helmed Black Panther #1...shaking your head in disbelief in how mind blowing it is. Well, at least that's what it did for me. For those not as familiar w/ the man/myth/legend or even comics in general, it will offer up both historical perspective/insight and case as to why the medium is so culturally important.
Either way, I couldn't recommend it more...available at all your favorite resellers (or at least should be).
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