"Post No. 509"

REVIEWING: Kirby:King of Comics, by Mark Evanier, 224 pages, $40.00, over-sized hardcover with color dust jacket, Abrams Books, 2008, Introduction by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated.

Anyone that doesn't like the work of Jack Kirby is a communist.

Alright. I guess that's a bit too strong, but anyone that can't appreciate the life's work of an artist such as Kirby, truely can't appreciate comic books.

Mark Evanier has done a very fine job compiling this material which covers every aspect of the life and work of the late and great Jack Kirby, from his early years growing up, to his work at various companies through the Golden Age of the 1940's, the "atomic age" of the 1950's, all of his silver-age and various characters he either created or co-created for Marvel, his 4th. World stuff for DC in the 1970's and all the way up until his final days. It is truely an awesome summary of a man's life and work.

The volume contains hundreds of color and B&W illustrations from Kirby, plus many photographs, covers, newspaper strips, raw sketches and unused cover illustrations, etc., etc., as well as a lot of information regarding the creator and even Mark's own relationship with him. I really can't praise this collection enough except to say that if you love comics, then you'll want a copy.

Of course I give it a A+ Rating.