On August 28th of this year, Jack Kirby would have celebrated his 98th birthday. Since his passing in 1994, he has been remembered not just as one of the most influential creators in the history of comics but also as a symbol of the injustices of business practices in the comic book industry.
In his memory his youngest grandchild, Jillian Kirby began a campaign titled Kirby4Heroes to help raise money and awareness of the Hero Initiative, an organization intended to help support comic book creators that have fallen on hard times financially or with their health. Since she began the campaign in 2012, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for the Hero Initiative with support from local comic shops, creators and fans alike.
The Hero Initiative is close to Jillian’s heart as it is with the rest of the Kirby family because, though Jack Kirby led a reasonably comfortable life, he spent his later years frustrated that he could not enjoy in the prosperity of his creations. He never lived to see his work become the foundation for a multi-billion dollar corporation but he would have been proud that his family stood their ground and challenged Marvel until they reached a historic settlement in September of last year.
The Kirby’s know what it is like to live and struggle in the shadow of success that is generated by characters that comic creators bring to life. Now that they have reached a very satisfactory agreement that twill assuredly insure their family’s well being into the foreseeable future, it is heartwarming to see that they have not forgotten Jack’s legacy in regards to what it means for other creators who have been so much less fortunate.
Applaud Jillian and her family by lending your continued support. The following is a letter she released to comic shops and anyone who has helped in the past to insure the success of her campaign:
“Dear Comic Book Retailer,
Thank you so much again in advance for your anticipated commitment to participate in my 2015 Kirby4Heroes campaign. The campaign’s success would not have been possible without the support of comic book retailers like you. Last year, your support and enthusiasm helped the Kirby4Heroes campaign raise almost $15,000 for the Hero Initiative. This year my goal is to raise at least $20,000!
August 28th is the 98th birthday of my grandfather, comic book artist Jack Kirby, and the Kirby4Heroes campaign continues to honor his legacy to the comic book industry.
Can I depend on your support again this year with a donation of at least 10% of your sales on August 28th?
All funds raised, of course, go directly to the Hero Initiative.
Last year, comic book retailers had a wealth of creative ideas to raise money for the Hero Initiative. These included August 28th in-store Jack Kirby birthday parties, and having guest artists in the store creating pieces to be auctioned. Some retailers sold raffle tickets for certain items, with the proceeds going to Hero Initiative.
Retailers promoted my Kirby4Heroes campaign by embedding my 2014 YouTube video and other promotional materials on their Facebook pages, websites and newsletters.
In addition, artist Phil Hester created 97 different pieces of Kirby-themed art to auction off for my grandfather’s birthday, raising over $3000! An event spearheaded by Ron Marz and Paul Harding in New York raised over $2000 for the Hero Initiative! Known artists drawing in comic book storefront windows, special events at cartoon museums, and the annual Wake Up And Draw event, where artists draw birthday tributes to my grandfather on August 28th to be auctioned on eBay, also occurred in 2014.I plan on continuing all of these wonderful events for 2015, and hope even more fantastic ideas come to fruition!
If you have any other ideas how your store can participate on August 28th for my grandfather’s birthday, please let me know! Feel free to be as creative and out-of-the-box as possible (PG-13 and under, please!).
To help you promote this event, I will follow up with an email including an attached Kirby4Heroes flyer, collection jar label, and poster. Make sure to check out my Facebook page (like it!), Twitter account (follow it!), and website for additional updates about the campaign! Here are the links:
www.facebook.com/kirby4heroes
www.twitter.com/Kirby4Heroes
www.kirby4heroes.com
I am grateful for your support, and look forward to working with you again this year. Please email me to confirm your participation, and please let me know if you have any questions. If you wish me to call you instead,
please let me know. I would be happy to do this! Thanks again for your support.”
Please forward it to your local comic shop if they are not already a participant. Put on your thinking cap and empower the campaign with creative ways to generate revenue to support the Hero Initiative but most of all remember to celebrate the life of Jack Kirby on August 28th in a way that makes a heroic difference as a thank you for all the heroes he has given us including his granddaughter, Jillian.