Article contributed by David Allen
Who deserves credit for the meteoric rise of Marvel Comics? Was it Stan Lee, writer, eventual publisher, and Marvel mascot, a man whom nerds across the globe revere? Or was it artist extraordinaire Jack Kirby, whose contributions went uncredited and underappreciated for decades?
Although Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics does not explicitly set out to answer this question, it nevertheless makes a solid argument on behalf of Jack Kirby. The 200-page graphic novel sets out to recall the legendary artist’s life from conception to death in the master’s own medium.
Although strictly biographical, writer and artist Tom Scioli uses first person narration, telling the story from Kirby’s own perspective. The tale begins with Kirby’s birth and youth as a Jewish boy in New York. It recounts his fascination with comic strips, his artistic ambitions, and his eventual partnership with Joe Simon. The two creators worked on countless books together and co-created Captain America. Kirby’s initial success is tempered when he is drafted into World War II and, upon his return, comic books experience a post-war downturn in sales.
The book also recounts Kirby’s complex history with both Marvel and DC, to this day the two biggest comic book publishers. Kirby is depicted as often frustrated due to the lack of credit he receives as a writer in favour of Stan Lee at Marvel, and his repeated willingness to let things slide in order to keep his job and support his family.
Along the way, Kirby works with some of the all-time greats in the comic book industry, falls in love, raises children, and struggles against publishers to execute his creative vision on a number of projects. The book reaches its climax with the death of Kirby and an emotional collage of moments illustrating the increased awareness and appreciation of his work.
Comic book creator Tom Scioli is a bit of a unicorn in the world of comics. He’s one of only few mainstream comic book artists who draws, colours, and hand-letters his own work. In many cases, such as with his biography of Jack Kirby, he takes on writing duties, as well.
In Scioli, Kirby has found the perfect artist to tell his story. Scioli is, without a doubt, an artist whom Kirby has deeply inspired. His work on “Godland” with writer Joe Casey, for example, is Kirby-esque in both subject and artistic execution.
In a 2005 interview with “Newsarama”, Scioli admitted as much: “I’m working in the Kirby tradition…No one else’s art does for me what Kirby’s does. Everything else looks limp and flat by comparison. He found a new way of doing things. I want to follow his lead.”
In Jack Kirby, Scioli wears this influence and deep appreciation on his sleeves. The art evokes Kirby and Golden Age comics with its near-strict adherence to a six panel grid. Even the colours and letters evoke a by-gone era of comics.
Scioli also makes the fascinating artistic choice to give Kirby himself large, almost manga-style eyes. This makes Kirby the most expressive character in the whole book; he emotes at a completely different level than the other characters.
One of the standout sections is Kirby’s time fighting in World War II. These pages bleed authenticity and emotion. The pages leading up to the war are interesting, but carry little emotional weight. Here, however, Scioli hits his stride and forges s strong bond between Kirby and the reader.
Scioli’s work here is also meticulously researched. The back of the book features an extensive notes section, a bibliography, and an index. Even small moments from Jack’s youth, such as his pal Morris’ obsession with aviation and Kirby’s subsequent chance to fly for the first time, have their chance to shine.
There are really only two moments that don’t fully work. Both deal with jarring perspective changes. When Kirby meets and begins to date his future wife, Roz Goldstein, the narration inexplicably switches from Kirby to her for a couple of pages. The same again occurs when Kirby returns to Marvel Comics, now under the leadership of Stan Lee. Here, the narration briefly switches to Stan Lee. These two moments feel out of sync with the rest of the book, which firmly stays in the head space of Kirby himself.
As for the age-old “Lee vs. Kirby” debate, Scioli seems to come down squarely on the side of Kirby. He is shown bringing in many of his own ideas and concepts to Marvel Comics and seeing them only slightly reworked. Spider-Man, usually credited to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is shown to be a reworked concept of Kirby’s, for example. His frustration with receiving no writing credit in favour of Stan Lee, who primarily wrote dialogue and captions, is both palpable and sympathetic.
Ultimately, Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics is a worthwhile read for anybody who appreciates art or is even remotely interested in the history of comic books or its characters who rule the silver screen today. Scioli’s art is pitch-perfect for this project; his love and appreciation for Kirby leap of the pages. Although neither the Jack Kirby Estate, nor Marvel Comics or DC Comics authorised this book, it is hard not to feel that Kirby himself would have enjoyed seeing his life rendered in art.
Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
Will you be picking up Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Told in vivid graphic novel form by a groundbreaking Eisner-nominated comics creator, the long-overdue biography of the legend who co-created Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and many more superhero favorites.
This sweeping, full-color comic book biography tells the complete life story of Jack Kirby, co-creator of some of the most enduring superheroes and villains of the twentieth century for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and more. Critically acclaimed graphic novelist Tom Scioli breathes visual life into Kirby’s life story–from his days growing up in New York during the Great Depression and discovering a love for science fiction and cartoons to his time on the frontlines in the European theatre of World War II where he experienced the type of action and adventure he’d later imbue his comic pages with, and on to his world-changing collaborations at Marvel with Stan Lee, where the pair redefined comics as a part of pop culture.
Just as every great superhero needs a villain to overcome, Kirby’s story also includes his struggles to receive the recognition and compensation that he believed his work deserved. Scioli captures his moves from Marvel to DC and back again, showing how Kirby himself and later his family fought to preserve his artistic legacy.
Drawn from an unparalleled imagination and a life as exciting as his comic book tales, Kirby’s super-creations have influenced subsequent generations of creatives in the comics field and beyond. Now, readers can experience the life and times of a comics titan through the medium that made him famous.
