Today, as part of our celebration of Jack Kirby’s birthday, we have two guest articles from two of our favorite creators who have been influenced by Jack Kirby’s work.
We now present to you Tom Scioli, whose work is probably the most visually influenced by Jack Kirby in all the obvious ways. Scioli is an incredibly talented artist and the only one to date to try and explore the same kind of landscapes that Kirby made famous, and the upcoming “Godland” #37 in October will stand as Scioli (and Joe Casey’s) ultimate tribute to Kirbyisms and how they fit into the modern landscape of comics. Spoiler alert: they fit very well.
Take it away, Tom:
From all I’ve read about the man, Jack Kirby was as sterling a human being as ever held a pencil. I never knew the man. I only know the work, and that work is a constant inspiration to me. I love to read and re-read his comic books.
For better or worse, I’ve patterned myself after him. I think of it as an apprenticeship in absentia. I’ve studied the work, taken it apart and put it back together in hopes of cracking the Kirby Code.
The thing that I find most inspiring about him is that he created unique, powerful work in every stage of his life. He began his career in adolescence and never put down his pencil, except for the period he was given a rifle and told to kill Hitler.
My goal used to be “to equal Kirby,” but that’s ridiculous. My goal right now is to top Kirby. To attempt any less is failure.
Jack Kirby did what he did without having a Jack Kirby to show him the way. We do, so there’s no excuse for making work that doesn’t blow his out of the water. The fact that we haven’t is a shame our generation may have to learn to live with.
There is work to be done.
