Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 00:38:58 CDT
From: Bill Hayes <[IANR 012] at [UNLVM.UNL.EDU]>
Subject: Volume 4 Issue 6 Part 4
To: Multiple recipients of list COMICS-L <[COMICS L] at [UNLVM.UNL.EDU]>
February 10, 1994 The Comics List Weekly Vol. 4 No. 6 Pt. 4
This Week:
Jack Kirby Tribute : Gerber, Simonson, Conley, Ostrander
: From Fandom - His work is cherished
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 09 Feb 94 06:04:54 EST
From: Steve Gerber <[72267 3332] at [CompuServe.COM]>
Subject: In memory of Jack Kirby
What the hell can you say? Every single eulogistic cliche just happens to
be *true* about Kirby. He _will_ be missed. He _was_ a genius, and he _did_
leave a body of work that will live on approximately forever. His work _did_
touch the lives of millions of pople. And he really _was_ a very sweet,
very generous, very gentlemanly, and, in most regards, a very humble, earthy
human being. Somehow, even on trips to Asgard and Apokolips, he never
completely lost sight of the Lower East Side.
I'm just glad I had the opportunity to know him and to work with him in
animation and, for a little while, in the field he so completely reshaped.
And I'm going to stop here because my eyes are starting to tear up.
Beyond this, I'm still at a loss for words. I'd only seen Jack a few times
over the past several years, but experiencing both the man and his work
added immeasurably to my life. I've never encountered a more fertile, more
unpredictable imagination, let alone anyone wo could translate the product
of such imaginings into pictures with such unself-conscious grace and power.
Jack was -- here come the cliches again, still true -- a genuine original
and a remarkable guy.
--Steve
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Date: 09 Feb 94 14:52:41 EST
From: Walter Simonson <CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: In Memory of Jack Kirby
Bill,
Jack Kirby is one of the principal reasons I'm in comics, something that could
probably be said directly or indirectly about virtually every creator my age
or younger working the comics' mainstream today. Jack created a visual
language for comics, particularly for super-hero comics, that has been
modified, amended, twisted, and bent, but never equalled. And that was only
one of his many contributions to the field.
He was the promethean creator and artist of comics in America. Those of us
who practice the same craft will always walk in Jack's shadow. And be proud
of it.
Best/Walter Simonson
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Date: Wed, 09 Feb 94 15:00:35 EST
From: [s--n--y] at [aol.com]
Subject: Jack Kirby's passing
I was quite saddened to learn of Jack Kirby's passing.
His boundless imagination and tremendous draftsmanship gave us heroes
with power, dignity and emotion; and took us to wondrous kingdoms,
bottomless caverns and the depths of space.
He made any kid with 15 cents the luckiest kid in the world.
And he shall never be forgotten.
Thank you, Jack.
Stephen Conley
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Date: 10 Feb 94 09:18:16 EST
From: John Ostrander <[72717 453] at [CompuServe.COM]>
Subject: Re: In Memory of Jack Kirby
I met Jack Kirby in person and up close exactly once -- a few years ago at San
Diego. I am a seasoned pro but I just couldn't steel myself to introduce
myself. I had to ask Julie Schwartz (who I've met several times and at least
felt comfortable talking to); 'Julie, introduce me to the King." Julie gave me
this strange look. He told me to just go up and say, Hi. Told me Jack was an
easy guy and friendly (which was what everyone else had told me). And I firmly
believed it BUT. . . I had regressed to a 12 year old fan boy. My wife, Kim
Yale, said it was a disgusting sight; zits were breaking out over my forehead,
she claimed.I pleaded with Julie; I just COULDN'T do it myself. Julie obviously
thought I was nuts but went along with it. Jack Kirby, of course, was great.
Roz was great. I tripped over my orn tongue. You've gotta keep in mind; I was
nearly 40 years old at the time and a seasoned pro and accounted pretty
articulate -- even glib -- by most people. And I turned into a stammerting
twelve year old fan.
WHY?
Because, blast it, this was the KING! This was JACK FREAKIN' KIRBY!
That's what he meant to ME.
I don't claim to know Jack Kirby but, for the rest of my days, I can say, "I
actually met the King and he shook my hand." It was one of the greatest days of
my professional life.
Long live the King.
-- John Ostrander
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Date: Wed, 9 Feb 1994 10:26:03 +0000 (GMT)
From: [T Chua] at [qmw.ac.uk] (T.Chua)
Subject: Re: Jack Kirby's Passing Away
I'll keep this short - there are probably loads of people out there
who'll be saying the same things.
Even though I thought I had "out-grown" him in recent years, I still
get the chills whenever I think about his days on Captain America and
the Fantastic Four. Jack's style may have grown a little dated, but
his influence on an entire generation, and certainly many more to
come, cannot be doubted.
Jack was, and always will be, one of personal heroes. He will be
missed. God speed, Mr Kirby.
Terence Chua, Department of Laws, QMW College, University of London
Snail-Mail: 22 Courcy Road, Hornsey, London N8 0QH
Telephone: (044)081-888-1210 E-mail: [T Chua] at [qmw.ac.uk]
"I am not a free man, I am a lawyer!"
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Date: Wed, 9 Feb 1994 05:52:06 -0800 (PST)
From: "Mr. Mysterious" <[m--a] at [rahul.net]>
Subject: Mourning a legend
Jack Kirby was a man of fertile imagination and a powerful desire
for creative independence. His work thrilled countless comics fans and will
live on forever.
Kirby's art fit the world of superhero comics so perfectly. He
could convey the epic feel of a superhero while at the same time show the
humblest human in all his simplicity.
Jack Kirby had a powerful imagination to go with his incredible
artistic abilities. He created many cherished characters and helped create
many more.
The comics world owes Jack Kirby a debt that it can never repay. In
addition to his literary works, Kirby helped pave the way for creator's rights.
Kirby gave the comics world so much, and stuck to his beliefs. That is why I
will miss him and always respect him and his legacy of greatness.
--
The king is dead
Mourning the loss of comic book great Jack "King" Kirby
* "You'll never find a more wretched * Dr. Mike Rickard *
* hive of scum and villainry " * I'm not a doctor but I do play *
* -Ben Kenobi about to log onto * one on tv *
* Star Trek List * [m--a] at [bolero.rahul.net] *
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Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 08:24:38 EST
From: James Williams <[James Williams] at [ESS.NIAID.pc.niaid.nih.gov]>
Subject: MISC: A Tribute to Jack Kirby
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Jack Kirby, he was a major
influence in my life. As a child, I learned two important lessons from
his comics.
First, I learned that reading was exciting. I began reading comic
books about a year before I learned how to read. My favorite comic
book was The Fantastic Four. Though I couldn't read Stan Lee's words,
I loved the comic book. I could follow the story just by looking at
Jack Kirby's artwork. I learned to read because I wanted to read his
comic books. These days, I can usually be found either reading stories
or writing them.
Second, I learned to believe in heroes. I don't think a child could
have a better role model than Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's characters.
These characters showed me that doing good could be interesting and
exciting. I've always had a strong faith in God. Comic books played a
major role in developing that faith.
In don't know how to conclude other than saying that I'll miss Jack and
that I hope to pass those same two lessons on to future generations.
James Williams
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Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 17:12:46 -0500 (EST)
From: [E--ST--N] at [ithaca.edu]
Subject: Re: Volume 4 Issue 6 Part 1
As an only child, I spent many a lonely Saturday afternoon flipping
through the pages of The Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, and X-men. These
comics helped develop my vocabulary as well as hone my imagination. I credit
comics for giving me a sense of visual actuity for scenery, which in turn will
help me in my future career as a filmmaker. I could not pay homage to the comic
book industry without paying homage to one of it's finest and most respected
creators. When Jack Kirby died, the world lost one of the most talented men in
entertainment. Mr. Kirby, my hat goes off and my heart goes out to you. I wish
you peace and love.
Brandon M. Easton
[E--ST--N] at [Ithaca.edu]
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Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 16:55:48 -0500 (EST)
From: "Rob Postuma (Concordia University)" <[R POSTU] at [PAVO.CONCORDIA.CA]>
Subject: Re: Volume 4 Issue 6 Part 1
"The KING is gone". I was reading the entertainement section of my local
paper only to come across Mr.Kirby's obituary. It sort of bugged me that
a man who had labored so hard to make creations that satisfied and inspired
so many generations of youth only recieved a 3-inch column hidden in the
entertainement section of the newspaper. There should've been a two-page
splash-page of Jack's work instead.
I grew up in the 70's---- so my first real look at Jack's work was in
the FOURTH WORLD stuff at DC. To a real young boy---- it seemed to be what
life was all about--it was BIG,it was FUN, it was MYTHIC-----it was
everything and more that a kid could want, and all in colour for less than
a chocolate bar. I grew up enjoying Jack's technicolor dreams.it's part of
what made me what I am today.
As i got older----- I got sort of embarrassed by Kirby's stuff. It seemed
perhaps too overdone and "kiddy" to me. I kept on collecting-- but avoided
Jack's stuff completely like the plague. Kirby's stuff seemed at the time
to be everything to me that was bad about comics.
I got older still----- I started re-reading some of Jack's stuff
since it was just collecting dust in my bins. I was amazed to find out
what a MASTER that Mr. Kirby was. As much as he had someone crashing into
a wall---- he had a mastery over these small,delicate,subtle things.Look
at the work that went into making the THING( a truly ugly character, at
least at first) into a character that you could care about.Remember Ben
walking down the street covered head-to-toe in jacket-hat-sunglasses,you
could fill his shame even though you couldn't see him. These quiet moments
just made the larger ones seem even bigger. There was a fluid quality to his
work that was never seen before and will never be seen again.
He made life a lot more fun for all and will be missed.
Seeya in the clouds Jack.
Rob Postuma
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End part 4, more to follow...