From: Mark Evanier <[m--v--r] at [delphi.com]>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
Subject: Jack Kirby Tribute Book
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 95 01:53:11 -0500

        Okay, I have an announcement...one I've been waiting more
than a year to be able to make.
        The genesis of this project dates from about twenty seconds
after many of us heard that Jack Kirby had passed away.  I don't
know how many times I've heard people in our industry say,
"Someone ought to do a tribute book..."  Well, someone is.
        It has taken a while to work out some of the details and
legal technicalities but I am now able to announce what I hope
will be the most spectacular, historic book in the history of
comics...about the man who was perhaps its most spectacular
creative talent.  Frank Miller and I are co-editing Jack Kirby: A
Celebration, a book which we hope will capture on paper, the
essence of the man and what he meant to our industry.  That means
it has to be a big book -- a huge book -- full of color and
articles and history and comics and love and an awful lot of
people talking about what Jack Kirby meant to us.
        The book will basically be divided into three parts...
        1. THE MAN -- When Jack passed away, I was driven to this
here computer and I wrote "The King and I," a two-part article
that attempted to tell the world who Jack was, what he did and
what he meant to me.  The piece was written in haste; in the year
since, I have expanded and polished it, correcting some errors of
fact or omission, amplifying on other points.  The enlarged,
definitive version of the article will appear in the tribute
book.
        2. THE HISTORY -- We will feature an array of articles and
essays by and about Jack Kirby...with particular emphasis on
hearing from those who worked with him.  There will be hitherto-
unseen Kirby art and hitherto-untold recollections.  This is the
section that most of you can help us with.
        3. THE GALLERY -- Jack left behind a galaxy of characters,
creations and co-creations.  In this section, more than a hundred
(perhaps way more than a hundred) of the most accomplished
artists of our field will each undertake to draw one of Jack's
characters.  Based on the early response to the book, I think I
can safely say that there has never been -- and perhaps never
will be -- such a gathering of prominent comic book artists in
one place.  We've already asked about fifty top artists and not a
one of them has given us anything short of an enthusiastic "yes."
        At this point, I can't tell you when this book will be out.
It will be out when it's done and done right.
        I also can't tell you what it will cost, how many pages it
will be, how much it will cost...any of that.  I can tell you
that our goal here is not to create a collectors' item...we want
this book to stay in print forever to tell future generations who
Jack Kirby was and what he meant to us.  I would imagine there
will probably be a fancy, keeper hardcover edition and then a
lower-priced paperback.  The book may ultimately appear in many
editions over the years.
        Here are some other things I can tell you...
        All proceeds from the book will go to either the Jack Kirby
Estate or the Jack Kirby Educational Fund.  No one involved in
the book will be making a nickel off it.
        The folks at Image Comics have agreed to underwrite the book
and to solicit it and handle initial distribution.  But it will
not be an "Image" publication or any other kind of company-
oriented effort.  Frank Miller has the final say with regard to
art and graphics; I'm in charge of the text.
        Frank will be calling on top designers and artists to assist
him with his end.  I need help from everyone out there to compile
the text, especially that in Part Two above.
        If you have some piece of art or an article or an interview
that would contribute to our better understanding of this Kirby
guy, please let me know.  Most of you seem to already have my
phone number; the rest of you, please use E-Mail on this service or
write to me at P.O. Box 480265, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
        Please do not write (or draw) anything for the book without
checking first with either Frank or me.  Based on the early
response, I can see we're going to be inundated with folks who
want to be a part of it.  We'll have the unfortunate duty of
saying no to a lot of people.  (I hate the idea of turning anyone
down, especially someone who's sincere in their desire to honor
Jack.  If you want to know how you can "help out," a good
starting point would be to be understanding about the awkward
position we're in...)
        That goes for the Gallery section, as well.  We are now
attempting to contact every professional comic book artist.  If
you are one, drop me a note and I'll see that you receive a
special flyer we have that tells about the Gallery section and
how to be a part of it.  If you know of one we might have missed,
send us his or her address (which will, of course, be kept
confidential).  We are especially interested in reaching past
associates of Jack's who might now be retired or away from
mainstream comics.
        This book is going to be a monster...but it's also going to
be an incredible, unprecedented work.  Any book that purports to
be a tribute to Jack Kirby had better be.
        Watch this space for further details.