72 YEARS AGO TODAY

Another is-it-or-isn't-it Kirby cover hit the stores.

53 YEARS AGO TODAY

Marvel shipped as many Kirby-covered comics as the month before...9

  

This issue of STRANGE TALES, unlike the previous issue, had a Kirby cover AND interior Kirby art (1 page). Half of the Kirby-covered comics released in August and September of 1964 contained no Kirby interior art.

55 YEARS AGO TODAY

Banner decides in the second story of  HULK #4 that teenagers like Rick Jones  are undependable so he adds a foot switch to his transformation machine!

Words by Lee. Embellishment by Ayers.

52 YEARS AGO TODAY

Hogun establishes himself as a staunch Thor ally in his third "Tales of Asgard" appearance.

from JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #122

Inks by Colletta

54 YEARS AGO TODAY

Even though Marvel had expanded their monthly output by 30% from a year earlier, Kirby penciled the same amount of covers - nine. Six of the Kirby-covered books had interior pencils by Kirby totaling 107 pages.

Dick Ayers did not embellish ANY Kirby artwork that was published September 1963 leaving a void that was filled by Sol Brodsky, Paul Reinman, Don Heck, George Ruossos and Steve Ditko.

55 YEARS AGO TODAY

One-quarter of most shops' 40 pocket spinner rack would be displaying Marvel product. 90% of that product had Kirby covers. 80% had interior art by Kirby totaling 121 pages.

Full-time Kirby embellisher Dick Ayers was able to finish 108 of those pages.

Fun fact: "Marvels carrying dates of 1962-1964 featured 3,130 pages of Kirby art plus 285 covers - roughly the equivalent of a book a week." - Mark Evanier KIRBY: KING OF COMICS

66 YEARS AGO TODAY

BLACK MAGIC volume 2 #1 was in the shops with 8 pages of Jack Kirby art inspired by the same legend as this Albert Pinkham Ryder painting from a half century earlier.

To see the rest of the story

CLICK HERE