Rip Kirby Volume 1 Hardcover – September 15, 2009

Heretofore only available in reprints of dubious quality, Alex Raymond's "Rip Kirby" has at last been afforded the proper reprinting it so richly deserves. The obvious motivator for picking up this and all subsequent volumes is Raymond's masterful artwork, but the storytelling is equally solid and engaging. Having completed a stint in the Marines during the closing days of World War II, Raymond looked to infuse his plotlines with a hefty dose of realism, and some of his plotlines reflect post-war concerns such as the risks of bacteriological weapons.Navigating the labyrinth cases is the strip's protagonist: Remington "Rip" Kirby, amateur sleuth, scientist, casual pianist and golfer. With the able assistance of his manservant and sidekick, a reformed English safecracker named Desmond, Kirby matches wits with criminals in New York, Hollywood, Hawaii and London. Although Kirby's adversaries such as the Mangler and Lady Lilliput may lack the dramatic flair of "Dick Tracy's" rogues gallery, their often casual sadism makes them equally sinister.The ladies competing for Rip's affections also provide layers of interest to the story. Blonde model Honey Dorian enjoys a chaste romance with Kirby, but frequently finds the dark-haired gangster's moll-turned-starlet Pagan Lee to be a source of competition for Rip's attention.With "Rip Kirby" IDW's streak of producing fantastic reproductions of newspaper comics continues unabated. Their work sets the standard against all other publishers in terms of supplementary materials and quality of workmanship. Every volume they produce sends out a tangible sense of respect and love for the source material that other publishing companies generally lack. I may never get out of credit card debt as my bookshelves continue to sag under the weight of multiple IDW series, but the lasting pleasure they provide makes the investment well worth it.

Although the other reviewers have a point, it has to be said that while there ARE dailies in this volume that look poorly reproduced, MOST of the strips are fine, and everything is highly readable. Also, while there are a number of very iffy reproductions (including the visible nipples in Jill Thatcher's negligee on page 49), there are also obvious deliberate changes in inking style throughout the volume. Raymond is obviously developing his approach (and characters) as he begins his new strip.The series gets off with a bang as THE CHIP FARADAY MURDER happens on Rip's very doorstep, surprising even Kirby's unflappable butler Desmond - and perhaps causing weight loss, as Desmond is noticeably thinner 7 panels later. Desmond's golf lesson is interrupted by Rip's girl Honey Dorian, who is also in for some changes going forward. Introduced as a somewhat ditzy kid, Rip introduces her to modelling in order to infiltrate Barry's model agency, where the late Chip worked. The trail leads from top fashion photographers and major ad agencies to a popular nightclub, where Rip finds an unsavory narcotics connection, and a surprise antagonist.A series of coincidences kicks off Rip's investigation of THE HICKS FORMULA, which happens at Honey's Alma Mater. A number of undergraduates have turned surprisingly dumb, and dean Thatcher, who's about-to-be-married daughter Debbie is an old pal of Honey's, is concerned (at least, after his dog dies mysteriously.) Rip is soon on the trail, but it takes a death to prove the guilt of the only suspect.The direct result of the Hicks Formula is ENTER THE MANGLER, as the brutal gangster, who will become Rip's ongoing nemesis, sees an opportunity for big dough. Also introduced is the Mangler's beautiful moll Pagan Lee, who turns against his plot to blackmail the world with biological destruction. Rip and Honey are soon in a tight spot, but the police are also on the case as poisoned water pistols duel with revolvers and tommy guns.A whole new line of crime opens as FATAL FORGERIES threaten popular entertainers, including the beautiful Pagan Lee, who has gone straight into nightclub singing. Villainous Spider Grunt finally goes too far, as Rip is otherwise willing to believe that even the guilty have some innocence.It's more trouble for Pagan as her PAST IMPERFECT catches up to her in the form of small-time hoodlum Fingers Moray. Moray makes his play for the big time, and Pagan makes her play for Rip.In THE DOLL'S HOUSE it's Honey's turn in the spotlight as she gives Rip a lesson by disappearing to visit to her wealthy uncle, who has an odd girlfriend - and a secret just as deadly as Spider Grunt's.Pagan has another star turn, helping a war-widow and old friend with BLEAK PROSPECTS, a soapy tale of child stealing and blackmail. Bleak's prospects run out, and eventually it's happy endings for everyone except, maybe, Moose McGee.TERROR ON THE THAMES, the final story in volume, starts with what seems to be good luck for Rip, as Honey happens to be in a fashion show in London at the same time that he is taking a holiday in Britain. Unfortunately model "Bet-ya" Bannister is also part of the party, and soon dives into muddy waters surrounding some risky, and deadly, gambles.

This is definitely the Golden Age of reprints! A glance at this book will affirm it.This book is wonderfully made, leather(atleast looks like it) bound!, *very large* book, printed on non-glossy heavy paper, brings out the fantastic black ink work, of which, Alex Raymond is a master.The book begins with few articles introducing Alex, and his work, pictures of him, a few flyers that promoted the strip when first published, along with some pictures, where you can see Alex Raymond with the beautiful models who were the secret behind his stunningly realistic looking figures. A traditional figure artist of perfection, in line with Hal Foster, Burne Hogarth, Sy Barry and the gang, he is undoubtedly at his best in Rip Kirby.This is part of a series (atleast there is a Volume two in the works)This volume 1 contains 8 complete stories from 1946-48.1. The Chip Faraday Murder2. The Hicks Formula3. Enter: The mangler4. Fatal Forgeries5. Past Imperfect6. The Dolls House7. Bleak prospects8. Terror on the ThamesThose who love Alex raymond's art work will simply love it, each frame is a comic book artist's study. Composition, Figure drawing, Light and shade, drama, suspense, angles, inking..all is found between the covers of this lovely collection.Those who love Golden age realistic detective, adventure comics will ofcourse love this. This can also serve as an introduction to the Golden age to any young reader, to be awestuck on the efforts of the artists that went into these amazing stories.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Just what I was looking for. Beautiful binding, Raymond's rendering is just as I remember it when I was first introduced to this comic. Arrived on time in perfect condition.

Spannend und schön wie Annodazumal!Macht neugierig auf die weiteren erschienenen Folgen! Fünf Sterne ohne jegliche Bedenken. Rip Kirby ist einer der soliden Comics, wie es sie heute leider nicht mehr gibt.

Excelente edición que recopila las primeras aventuras de este detective distinguido. El dibujo original de Alex Raymond sigue teniendo vigencia aún después de casi setenta años. Se echa de menos el color, pero eso habría restado autenticidad al concepto original.

Una splendida edizione (in lingua originale) per uno dei fumetti più belli di tutti i tempi! Costa molto, ma vale moltissimo!

If, like me, you're an old Rip Kirby fan, this book will bring back a flood of memories. Excellently bound volume but pricey. A real collector's item!