Creators: Jack Kirby

Creators

A growing list of influential Artists, Writers, Poets, Filmmakers, and Creatives.

Jack Kirby

 This guy has often referred to as the King of Comics, and by gum, he may just be that! 1936 was the year he entered the scene, and even then so much promise could be seen in his work. He worked as an animator, did weekly strips, but eventually he got to do what he was meant do; epitomize comic book storytelling. Creating great characters and stories for both Marvel and DC comics, without a doubt, he left an enormous impact on the art form.

Jack Kirby was without a doubt talented, influential, and prolific, but he also exemplified the quality that all artists, especially comic artists, need: Hard Working. Jack Kirby had one of the most intense work schedules in comic history, and I'm truly baffled at how much he did and how good it turned out. During his heavy days at Marvel and DC, he would complete more than three pages a day and sometimes more than twenty a week.  With how quickly he completed the work, you would think his quality would have dipped, but the opposite was actually true. He always got better.

Now I could just show you cover after cover of Kirby's and just go off of that, but I am of the opinion that anyone can pull off of a good cover, but pulling off narrative and compelling art on the inside is always where the best sequential artists shine. So no covers here, only story!
Kirby was a great collaborator, and is responsible for co-creating characters like Captain America, The Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer.  He also made some of his best work when he was given creative license. Those creations are what he referred to as "The Fourth World," or "The New Gods."  It was that point in his career when his art reached another level, because like all artists, his body of work goes through an evolution. In the beginning, most artists in the comic industry tend to favor a more conventional style, that fits with the standards of the time (If your work has mass appeal, then you get a gig, simple as that).  But as popularity and success builds (along with skill) artist tend to develop a more unique style that strays from the convention and ascends to iconic.
For example, take a look at some jack Kirby people from earlier in his career.

And look at the same characters later.

That first page could almost have been drawn by anyone, but the second is pure Kirby. His handling of shapes, shadows, and space are often imitated but never surpassed.  This was the man in his 'zone artistically.  

Kirby also excelled at character design, as well as machines and creatures.  He had a sensibility that was distinct, eye-catching, and memorable. Here are some of his "New Gods."

And machine!

Stunning stuff.  He was amazing at what he did, and no one else did anything like it. But there is one thing that he created that is used by nearly every other comic artist since, and there is no way to explain why.  I'm talking of course about Kirby Krackle (or Kirby dots).

The best explaination I can give for what krackle is? A visualization of energy (often cosmic) that can be ambient or directed, but still add a visual spark to the page.  They have become a permanent tool in a comic artist's arsenal, and we have this master to thank.

So, why do I like Jack Kirby? He is an important figure in the history of comics, art, and fiction, both for the 20th century and beyond.  He along with greats like Will Eisner, Steve Ditko, and Carmine Infantino set the gold standard for how to tell a comic story. I say find some of his work in old Avengers, Fantastic Four, and New Gods stuff, and just pour over it with your eyes.