Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic

The term “Kirby-esque” has been bantered about the comics industry for decades in reference to a style of comic art specific to Jack Kirby. Kirby’s work set defined what is known as dynamic storytelling in comics. His use of composition, foreshortening, forced perspective, effects and imagery  only begin to highlight the impact that his creative genius and incredible volumes of work have had on the comics industry.

Kirby’s style is so distinctive and dynamic that it was, and remains, infectious. To this day, few comic artists are not influenced by it in some way. Those that reflect his influence overtly are branded “Kirby-esque.” As with all things aesthetic, depending on what is the style of the day, this branding can an expression of positive or negative review.

The original, however, will always stand the test of time as Jack Kirby was an innovator, a visionary and a work horse. For these qualities, he stands above most in the field of comics where he has been hailed “King.”

All kings have their day, however, and for Jack Kirby, his throne will always be tarnished by the practices of the industry that he helped build, his reign over characters that he created or co-created usurped by by another term, “Work for Hire.”

Beside being King, Jack Kirby was a good soldier and a good family man. He exercised his creative talents profusely to perpetuate the success of the company he worked for because that represented job security that allowed him to support his family.  Jack was under the same impression that most people from his generation came to expect; be a company man and you will be taken care of.

Unfortunately, this was never been the case in the comics industry especially for those that worked during the time that Kirby was most prolific. The only creator from that era that seems to have been “taken care of” is Stan Lee who co-created many of the characters that represent Marvel’s multi-billion dollar empire with Kirby.

Stan knew how to play the game. He made himself a star, and though he, like Jack, lost his creative rights and reportedly sees no royalties from them, Stan has found ways to capitalize on his association with those characters to make himself a wealthy man.

Jack Kirby, unfortunately is no longer with us, having passed away in 1994. August 28th of this year would have been his 96th birthday. His family, the children that survive him and their children, recently lost their supposed final battle in a challenge to be compensated for the incredible worth of their father’s creations when the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision  reaffirming that Jack Kirby’s pioneering works for Marvel were “Work for Hire” under section 304(c)” of the Copyright Act of 1976.

In “Kirby-esque” style, however, the Kirby family is focused on what drove Jack, his work ethic, his love for family, and the caring man he was. They learned well from him and his wife Roz, what was truly important in life and continue to pass it along to their children through their legacy.

Jack’s youngest granddaughter, Jillian Kirby, continues her Kirby4Heroes campaign in a valiant effort to support the Hero Initiative. This is the second year of an annual drive to raise money to support an organization that was formed to help creators in need; creators that are victims of the same “Work for Hire” practice that not only prevents them from profiting from the successes of their creations but has driven many of them into poverty with no health care benefits.

Jillian and her family are taking a page out of Stan Lee’s book and are focusing on establishing Jack Kirby the star that he truly was, not a slick salesman with a silver tongue, but a real, loving family man with a unique talent to create fantastic worlds and heroes that inspired hopes and dreams for millions of us.

The Kirby4Heroes facebook page is an open window into the life of Jack Kirby and the legacy he as passed down to his family. LIKE it and discover that to be Kirby-esque is not limited to creating dynamic superhero stories. It is about being a hero inside and expressing that through your actions, your work and your art.

The Kirby family may not be worth a tiny percentage of the billions of dollars that Marvel is worth or even the millions that Stan Lee is worth but hey have something of greater value – family values.

Help them to preserve the memory of Jack Kirby on his 96th birthday and support the  Kirby4Heroes campaign any way you can.

Take time to reflect on the life of the man responsible for so many of the joys that we receive when we read comics or watch movies featuring characters that he created and imagine a world without the brilliance of Jack Kirby.

Creators, please understand the sacrifice you make when you enter a “Work for Hire” agreement. Consider Jack Kirby’s experience when you sign off  on a character or property.

Realize that the legacy left by King Kirby is much greater than his approach to drawing comics and develop a new appreciation of the term “Kirby-esque.”

Making Comics Because We Want to,

Gerry Giovinco