Comics I've Recently Read, September 25, 2022

 

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Comics I've Read Recently, July 15, 2022

 

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Anatomical Breakdowns by Gil Kane

 

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Recently Read: According to Jack Kirby, by Michael Hill

 

Michael Hill has done comics historians a service in compiling and publishing this collection of cartoonist Jack Kirby's memories and thoughts on his career. While the longer living and outgoing spokesman Stan Lee's interpretation of events has held sway in the general public's mind, in-depth comics readers and historians have long been able to differentiate the two creator's distinctive voices and contributions. Despite what any creator might say, the proof is in the published work (and the photocopied original art, with Kirby's story notes in the margins). What Kirby relates in the book's compiled quotes jibes with the historical evidence and shores up his contention that he wrote the stories in Marvel's seminal '60s work and created the initial characters. In short, Lee claiming he was the writer of the work insured more money for him and less money for Kirby (and other cartoonists who were also creating stories on the series they worked on, like Steve Ditko and John Romita, Sr.). This was an injustice perpetuated by later owners of Marvel.

Loaded with copious footnotes, the book covers decades of Kirby being outspoken on his contributions. Because the scope of the book mainly covers what Kirby said, some evidence which would help confirm his beliefs isn't covered: Dr. Michael Vassallo's extensively researched chronological analysis of Stan Lee scripts, for example, shows conclusively that Lee's "creativity" began when Kirby rejoined Marvel in the late '50s, and mysteriously left Lee when Kirby quit Marvel for DC in 1970. Conversely, the book deals little with Lee's distinctive 1960s voice which, whether one enjoys it or not, was highly instrumental in creating a new jovial and audience-connecting informality in comics (compared to DC's straight-laced and patronizing editorial voice), but which is, again, outside the scope of this book.

The incident of Lee rejecting a Kirby Hulk story and the resultant output of Kirby in the month of March, 1963, is a fascinating connection and a new avenue to explore in the complex story of these two creators.

There are ways According to Jack Kirby could be bettered. Some commentators are quoted with no context or explanation of who they are or why their opinion is of importance. Some reproduced art could be of higher resolution quality. And, the book uses some quotes too repetitively. I'm hoping a future edition can correct these attributes. Still, the book is an essential addition, and appreciators of Kirby's work have Michael Hill to thank for the hard work and initiative to put together what is, ultimately, a damning and important document.

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The Fantastic Four by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott

Original art from The Fantastic Four No. 112.

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#‎fourcomics‬

Here're ‪#‎fourcomics‬ that, long ago, influenced me to start making my own comics:

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Pics from the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum Exhibit, "Substance and Shadow: the Art of the Cartoon"

                                                    Jeff Smith art from Bone.

                                    Milton Caniff art from Terry and the Pirates.

                                         Chester Gould art from early Dick Tracy.

Winsor McCay explosion.

Hal Foster art from Prince Valiant. Notice Foster's influence on Barry Windsor Smith in the second panel.

Sergio Aragones art.

Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia art from Captain America.

Neal Adams art from the famous "Answer me that, Mr. Green Lantern!" story.

Winsor McCay editorial art.

New Yorker art by Roz Chast. 

 Hulk art by Marie Severin.

Mutt and Jeff art by Bud Fisher.

Blondie, by Chic Young.

Mort Walker's Beetle Bailey.

Guess who?

More McCay.

George Herriman's Krazy Kat.

Cliff Sterrett art from Polly and Her Pals.

Robert Crumb.

John Buscema Conan art (inked by Rudy Nebres?)

Chris Ware.

Fred Lasswell (or Bllly DeBeck?) art for Barney Google and Snuffy Smith.

Gorgeous Roy Crane art for Wash Tubbs and Captain Easy.

E.C. Segar?

Basil Wolverton's take on FDR. 

Close up of Carl Barks pencils.

Animation cel art.

Felix the Cat, by Otto Messmer.

Floyd Gottfredson's Mickey Mouse.

Billy, from The Family Circus, by Bill Keane 

McCay again, drawn for his animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur.

Cartoonist Max Ink, enjoying the exhibit. 

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