Hodgman's Review of Kirby
Thanks to Boing Boing I caught this link to John Hodgman's new comic book review.
The first part of the review is dedicated to Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus. I have the latter volumes and have been working my way forwards. I am encouraged that Hodgman felt the first two volumes are the strongest. I enjoyed the latter volumes but was a bit puzzled at some elements. Hodgman's explanation of the premature end of the series helps make sense of the lapse.
I have always had an almost instinctual awareness of Kirby's work, even before I knew who he was and was able to positively identify what made his art and writing so different. Hodgman renders those traits that make Kirby the King with a certain poignancy that is touching and reminds me of why I love the man's work so much.
If you know of Kirby, read the first part of the review for the devotion. If you do not, then it is an excellent introduction to the man's work and should encourage you to at least pick up a volume or two at your local comic shop and give it a peruse.
The rest of the review is pretty typical fair, comics that have been covered before with about equal sentiments.
Also, did I mention that matt_wallace earned devotion pretty closely to that I hold for Kirby by including a Fourth World reference in The Next Fix? The reference is no coincidence, the first question I asked him when andreahg and I picked him up recently to take him from the airport to Balticon confirmed it. Go read the omnibus then read (or re-read) The Next Fix; you'll catch it.
The first part of the review is dedicated to Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus. I have the latter volumes and have been working my way forwards. I am encouraged that Hodgman felt the first two volumes are the strongest. I enjoyed the latter volumes but was a bit puzzled at some elements. Hodgman's explanation of the premature end of the series helps make sense of the lapse.
I have always had an almost instinctual awareness of Kirby's work, even before I knew who he was and was able to positively identify what made his art and writing so different. Hodgman renders those traits that make Kirby the King with a certain poignancy that is touching and reminds me of why I love the man's work so much.
If you know of Kirby, read the first part of the review for the devotion. If you do not, then it is an excellent introduction to the man's work and should encourage you to at least pick up a volume or two at your local comic shop and give it a peruse.
The rest of the review is pretty typical fair, comics that have been covered before with about equal sentiments.
Also, did I mention that matt_wallace earned devotion pretty closely to that I hold for Kirby by including a Fourth World reference in The Next Fix? The reference is no coincidence, the first question I asked him when andreahg and I picked him up recently to take him from the airport to Balticon confirmed it. Go read the omnibus then read (or re-read) The Next Fix; you'll catch it.