The Last Boy on Earth

 

Kamandi is a fictional comic book character created by artist Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics. The bulk of Kamandi's appearances occurred in the comic series Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth, which ran from 1972 to 1978.

Kamandi is a young hero in a post-apocalyptic future. After a huge event called "The Great Disaster", humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Wikipedia

Jack Kirby's Birthday

The Incredible Imagination of Jack Kirby and Its Impact on the American Comics Industry

Introduction:

In the universe of comics, few names have left such an indelible mark as that of Jack Kirby. Known for his extraordinary imagination, Kirby is considered one of the greatest visionaries in the field of graphic storytelling. Throughout his career, he has helped transform the American comic book industry, creating iconic characters and alternate universes that have inspired generations of subsequent readers and artists.

Paragraph 1: Jack Kirby's towering imagination

Jack Kirby's defining characteristic was his immense and spectacular imagination. Every character, every detail and every world he created seemed to come from an amazing parallel universe. With daring concepts, unique creatures, and futuristic technology, Kirby has pushed the boundaries of comics, transforming them into something extraordinary and unique.

Paragraph 2: Iconic characters created by Jack Kirby

Kirby helped create some of the American comic industry's most beloved and enduring characters. His most famous works include the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, Iron Man and the Avengers supergroup. Thus, Kirby's imagination was not only expressed through the setting and background of his comics, but also through the complex and heroic characters he created.

Paragraph 3: Alternative universes and innovative concepts

In addition to individual characters, Jack Kirby has developed entire alternate universes with original conceptions. One of the most iconic is undoubtedly the Fourth World (Quarto Mondo), introduced in the comic series "New Gods". This universe filled with cosmic powers, gods and new mythologies, revolutionized the way superhero stories could be told. Kirby also presented the concept of so-called "Celestials" in his work on "Eternals," which provided a systematic and ambitious explanation of the divine origin of superheroes.

Paragraph 4: Jack Kirby's Legacy in the American Comics Industry

Jack Kirby's influence on the American comic landscape is still evident today. Many artists and writers who have since become pioneers have claimed to have been inspired by his imagination and creative daring. His avant-garde ideas have laid the groundwork for the creation of countless extraordinary stories and characters, imprinting his indelible impact on the comic industry.

Conclusion:

Jack Kirby was a revolutionary of the comic industry, thanks to his extraordinary imagination and the lasting impact of him. With characters like Hulk, Thor and the X-Men, he has created a visual universe that continues to inspire and captivate both readers and comic creators. His legacy as one of the industry's greatest artists and storytellers will forever remain etched in the pages of American comics.

 

Jack Kirby

 

It's useless! There is no sheet large enough to hold all the characters created by Jack Kirby.

Jack

JACK "KING" KIRBY

The Master

 

Silver Surfer

"Stan Lee, in the book “Son of Origins of Marvel Comics” (1975), credits Kirby with having created the surfer. According to Lee, Kirby penciled the first chapter of the story after an informal meeting, in which the the two agreed that the Fantastic Four's next foe should be a gigantic godlike being “capable of destroying entire planets.” A rather generic concept to develop.

What is most interesting about Lee's memory is the recollection of his surprise when Kirby hands him the pages of the first chapter of the trilogy and sees a figure flying on a surfboard. Kirby explains to him that a being as powerful as Galactus must have a herald, a vanguard that precedes him and paves his way.

This confirms that Lee had no input into the initial design of the character."

...

giornalepop.it

 

Namor

 

Title: From the Deep Seas to Comic Book Icon: The Evolution of Jack Kirby's Sub-Mariner

Introduction:

In the vast universe of Marvel Comics, few characters have as unique and fascinating an origin as the Sub-Mariner. Created by a true legend of sequential art, Jack Kirby, the Sub-Mariner has captivated readers since his first appearance in 1939. In this article, we will explore how Kirby developed the character into one of the most iconic and complex figures of the world of comics.

A tragic origin:

The origin of the Sub-Mariner was steeped in tragedy from his first steps in Marvel. As told by Kirby, Prince Namor was the hybrid son of an Atlantean princess and a human sailor. As a child, Namor found his mother dead, killed by a submarine, and this tragedy profoundly affected his future.

An anti-hero at war:

In the 1940s, during World War II, Namor appeared in several adventures drawn by Jack Kirby. During this time, the Sub-Mariner embodied an anti-hero, a rebellious spirit always in conflict with the world of humans. Her anger and resentment of him enabled her to take on enemies like the Nazi Dashboard, filling the pages of comics with epic submarine battles.

The return to the origins:

After a long absence from the comic book pages, the Sub-Mariner returned in 1962 thanks to the pen and drawings of Jack Kirby. In this new incarnation, Kirby rewrote the character's origin, reiterating his hybrid nature and his sense of belonging to two different worlds. This emotional undertone helped make the Sub-Mariner an even more interesting and complex character.

A comic icon:

Under Kirby's leadership, the Sub-Mariner became an icon of Marvel comics throughout the 1960s and 70s. His controversial character and relative sense of justice captured the attention of readers, who loved the character's moral ambiguity. Namor frequently found himself in conflict with both the world of superheroes, such as the Avengers, and surface heroes, including the Fantastic Four.

Kirby Returns:

After a long time away from the Sub-Mariner, Jack Kirby returned to write and design the character in a new series in 1975. This return to basics gave Kirby further opportunities to develop the character's complexity and depth. With epic storylines and breathtaking visuals, Kirby once again confirmed his status as the master of comics and made the Sub-Mariner even more fascinating.

Conclusions:

Jack Kirby's creation of the Sub-Mariner was a turning point in the history of Marvel comics. Through his artistic and narrative brilliance, Kirby has transformed Prince Namor into a complex, fascinating and at the same time controversial character. The Sub-Mariner remains an undisputed icon of comics, thanks to the innovation brought by Kirby in shaping his existence and to his tragic roots of a hybrid being, torn between two worlds in eternal conflict.

Jack Kirby

Jack Kirby, a man whose passion for drawing changed the way stories are told through the art of comics forever. His creativity and innovative spirit have influenced generations of artists and continue to inspire new generations. May his memory live long, carrying on his legacy of art and imagination.