Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics [A Graphic Biography]

Jack Kirby, The Epic Life of the King of ComicsA Graphic Novel by Tom ScioliI am a huge fan of Jack Kirby. I started reading comics with his Challengers of the Unknown and stopped reading comics when he left Marvel in 1977. And there is no question in my mind that the comic book industry and the companies Kirby’s helped create did not treat him fairly or well.This is an interesting 200 page graphic novel. This unauthorized bio may serve as a good introduction to someone who knows little about Jack Kirby. Scioli, as with all good comic artists is not just illustrating a book but he is telling the story.I divide this book into two parts the first 100 pages and the second. He tells the book from Kirby’s point of view, the book is in Kirby’s first person. In the first part of the book Scioli handles the various controversies in Kirby’s life well. Scioli illustrates the early life of Jack Kirby. I found most interesting the segment where Kirby is in the Army and what he has to go through to get through World War II. Later, Scioli loses balance, telling only Kirby’s side. Very often Kirby is shown to be a victim and not in control of his own profession’s path. I did enjoy reading the book, this ism my only complaint.Simon and Kirby, in this book, are told by an accountant, that their boss, Martin Goodman, is cheating them out of money from Capt. America so they seek work at Timely’s (Marvel) competitor National (DC). What is left out is that the accountant was also working for a competitor who wanted to hire the pair away from Goodman. When the two are discovered to be working at National comics they get fired from Timely It appears to Kirby that Stan Lee, being totally disloyal to him, might have ratted them out. No one says that Lee might have been loyal to his cousin and employer, Goodman.Jack Schiff, who served as Kirby agent when they sold Sky Masters to the newspapers, successfully sued to get his 4% commission. Schiff’s full side of the argument is cleverly avoided here.Scioli DOES properly show both sides to the legendary story of Jack Kirby coming to Marvel to find work soon after Joe Maneely passed.But soon Jack seems to be in charge of creating everything at Marvel as Stan just stands by. Kirby here is given full credit for Iron Man. Kirby did do the cover, the initial design of the character, but that was discarded a few months later. Don Heck, who is not mentioned, along with Lee and Larry Lieber, created Tony Stark, Stark industries, Happy and Pepper and so much more. So Scioli does to Heck when he accuses others of doing to Kirby. Kirby is also shown several times working on a Spider-Man as if he created the concept and the character. Ditko does get a three-sentence mention.The book once again suggests that Kirby wanted to cancel Thor, a big seller for Marvel, and start the New Gods. No comic book company in the world would stop publishing a successful title.

Well, you have to hand it to Scioli... he most definitely chose a difficult story to tell!!! Kirby's life not only covers each and every innovation the comic book business experienced in it's first 50 years, it also coincides with the most pivotal moments of the 20th century... the Great Depression, WW2, the clean cut 50s, the radical 60s, the earthy 70s into the decadent 80s... Kirby lived through it all, and produced iconic stories the entire time!!! To take all that history and try and mold a story out of it definitely takes not only skill, but cajones as well!!! And, at the end of the day, Scioli can be proud of his effort... Personally, I was unfamiliar with Scioli's work before approaching this book... my only experience with him was seeing him on the Cartoonist Kayfabe YouTube channel (dissecting and discussing various comics along with channel hosts Ed Piskor and Jim Rugg), and flipping through his retelling of the Fantastic Four history, "Grand Design"... and, honestly, I wasn't that impressed. The format was borrowed from Piskor's "X-Men Grand Design", so it seemed a bit unoriginal... they're pals, so I'm sure Piskor was cool with it, but I was unconvinced that Scioli was the man for the job. For, although unfamiliar with Scioli, I am a huge fan of Kirby's. Grew up with his books as a kid (mostly reprints), and followed him wherever he went... I distinctly remember my first visit to a comic book shop and seeing Captain Victory #8 staring back at me from the stands!!! Although I outgrew Kirby's stuff once I discovered Undergrounds/Alternatives/Adult comics, I was drawn back into his orbit once I discovered the Jack Kirby Collector magazine, edited by John Morrow. That discovery led me on not only a mission to acquire as much of the man's work as possible, but to piece together his history. So, any time a new JKC mag came out, I got it. Any time a book on the King's life and creations came out, I got it. I immersed myself in Kirby's career and history. So, a book like this is most definitely right up my alley. Although, admittedly, the first thought that popped into my mind was "is this dude gonna get Kirby's story right??" Let's face it, as outlined above, Kirby's story is rich and varied... even a master cartoonist would have a monumental task ahead of him to make a coherent story out of so much. And, since I wasn't convinced of Scioli's mettle, I was entering into this book with low expectations. Not to be insulting to Scioli, but there are many books and articles out there that I've picked apart because of their mistakes or omissions. And I'm definitely not the only Kirby aficionado out there like that... there's literally an army of them!!! So, having said that, it's pretty clear that Scioli had his work cut out for him. And the verdict is: Scioli did a really good job!!! There wasn't really anything in the book that I was unfamiliar with, but he did an admirable job of including everything important in the narrative without getting bogged down. If you're as intimately familiar with Kirby's history as I am, you can tell that Scioli definitely did his homework and researched his rear end off!!! It would be so easy to go off on a tangent regarding so many periods of Kirby's career... Scioli avoids that, however, and keeps the story moving along. I'm sure that if he had his druthers, he would have liked to have double the pages to get into more detail in certain instances. However, he wisely avoids this and targets his book at a general audience, for the most part. If you're not familiar with Kirby and what he did, this really is an excellent primer. Cartooning-wise, Scioli definitely has chops!!! He uses a 6-panel grid for the vast majority of the book, and keeps the storytelling simple. That is a sign of a good cartoonist. His drawing style is nice and simple. It's in the service of the story at hand. There are a lot of words here, granted, and it would be somewhat expected for a lesser cartoonist to try and make the pictures more elaborate to compete with the wordage... however, Scioli finds a nice balance, and neither really overpower. There are instances, granted, where the verbiage seems hefty from panel-to-panel... but not in an uncomfortable or distracting way. Scioli has a stylized way of drawing Kirby that differentiates him from the other characters... by and large, the rest of the cast is drawn pretty straightforward. Kirby, seemingly touched with a bit of manga influence, stands out with his huge eyes and exaggerated physique. It's an interesting choice, but Scioli makes it work. One of my favorite instances is the introduction of Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, who is an extremely tall guy. He dwarfs Kirby, almost twice his height... but those of us in the know realize who the TRUE giant is!!! If I had a complaint, it's that I believe that Scioli gave Kirby's battle for his artwork/property short shrift... although mentioned, the level of scandal that ripped through the industry wasn't really addressed. I also thought that Gary Groth, the editor of the Comics Journal and the guy who basically spearheaded the fight to get Kirby his artwork back, should have at least been mentioned. Besides leading the charge against Marvel on Kirby's behalf, I believe it was Groth who put together the Kirby Awards and also conducted a lengthy interview where Kirby first came out and went into detail regarding his role in the creation of the Marvel characters. There's a bit of the interview alluded to, but the interviewer is anonymous. This is a glaring omission. However, that's really a small complaint when given the scope of the story at hand. And Scioli definitely deserves praise and congratulations for pulling this epic off. If there was ever a cartoonist that lived a life that deserved to be depicted in comics form, it's most definitely Kirby. And, although there are those out there who may say a more "accomplished" or "well known" cartoonist should been the one to tell this story, fact is that Scioli definitely rose to the occasion and knocked it out of the park!!! This book was a no-brainer for me, being such a Kirby fan, but Scioli surprised me with the depth of research that went into the story and the level of cartooning on display... he may have made a fan out of me, and I'd most definitely take a look at whatever else he produces!! Highly recommended!!!

This book is a nonstop ride through the life and career of the King of Comics himself, Jack Kirby. Masterfully put together by Tom Scioli, this book is hard to put down. I probably would have read the whole thing in one sitting, if my wife had not gotten pissed I was ignoring her (c'mon, honey, its Kirby time). So, two sittings it was, and I will definitely be rereading. Really great book for anyone wanting to know more about Kirby, the history of American comics industry, or just someone who wants a good read. Even though this is not an autobio, butnis written in the first person perspective of Kirby, I felt that it treated some of the more conflicting accounts (particularly between him and Stan Lee) fairly. Some things we will just never know for sure.Anyhow. Great book. Definitely recommend.

I knew a lot about Jack Kirby before reading this. I knew he'd been robbed by Marvel, and that he didn't see eye-to-eye with Stan Lee. But wow. I had no idea the extent of the tragedy. Of course, this is told from Kirby's perspective, so who knows if it's purposely exaggerated. As you read, there's a bit of a mystery. Is this how things really happened, or is this just Kirby victimizing himself?Also, I knew Jack basically created all of Marvel in the beginning, but I had no idea he also created the original designs for Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Black Widow, etc.This story needs to be read. The art is great, but it's honestly a means to tell the story rather than to show off. Almost every page is a 6-panel grid.I've read a lot about the history of comics, Marvel, etc. This is one people will be talking about for a long time. Read it.

Excellent book, the art is unusual but the story and art etc worked fine and found out a lot that I never really thought about. Of course, as with any biography etc, it is often only one side of the story and I am certain that others would say this or that didn't happen in that way or that was not the reason etc. Still, found it.a joy to read throughout and glad that I finally purchased it (as I had looked at it earlier and was initially dismissive of the work, changed my mind on that)

I'm biased because Jack Kirby is my idol, but I read this in one sitting when my plan was to glance at a few pages and read it later.Tom Scioli has done an excellent job of synthesizing what is known and what is lore into a coherent whole.Some of it is heartbreaking and some of it is a cautionary tale, but none of it is boring.

Of all the books written about Kirby, this is the best I have come across so far.So much information. Lots of nods and easter eggs to find throughout the bookand very touching and moving in places too.Well worth the money

Read a review of this in the Spectator which suggested it might be worth a look. It is not. Astoundingly poor quality draftsmanship.

fun read for marvel fans