Which DC Kirby books "count"?

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:54 am

Question ...

If you're collecting Kirby's DC era stuff, we all know about the "big guns" ~ the Fourth World books, Kamandi, Demon. But Kirby did other work for DC back then, too. Do they "count"? In The Days Of The Mob, a Boy Commandos reprint book, a few issues of Sandman written by Joe Simon, a couple of First Issue Special books ... these are rarely ever cited by creators as huge influences on their work the way Kirby's "big guns" are. So do they "count"?

Junkie Luv · 17 Apr 2005

I think they should.

With fine artists, once they 'make it' into the history books, every piece of work they've done becomes important, especially the early stuff. They show the growth and changes in style and technique- the evolution of the artist.

I've joked that if they found a piece of toilet paper used by Picasso, they'd hang it in a museum. Even a doodle on a bar napkin.

James C. Taylor · 16 Aug 2004

Not sure what you're asking, but the Simon Kirby 70s Sandman was a favorite, one I enjoyed more than Kamandi or OMAC, and much more than the New Gods / Forever People and the Demon.

It's funny, but most of the Kirby DC stuff left me cold but the Ditko DC stuff (and the Ditko Charlton stuff) I enjoyed.

Kurt Busiek · 22 Aug 2004

Linda wrote:

Question ...

If you're collecting Kirby's DC era stuff, we all know about the "big guns" ~ the Fourth World books, Kamandi, Demon. But Kirby did other work for DC back then, too. Do they "count"? In The Days Of The Mob, a Boy Commandos reprint book, a few issues of Sandman written by Joe Simon, a couple of First Issue Special books ... these are rarely ever cited by creators as huge influences on their work the way Kirby's "big guns" are. So do they "count"?

Sure. One of those First Issue Specials gave us the Manhunters, after all, if you're just going by repercussions. Another Kirby one-off gave us Kobra.

If you're collecting Kirby because you like his storytelling and art, it's even simpler: They all got it. The Dingbats of Danger Street and Atlas may not have been revived as often as the New Gods, but they're still a lot of fun to read.

kdb

Darren · 03 Aug 2004

SPIRIT WORLD!

Ed Aycock · **Joined:** 28 Apr 2005 **Posts:** 88 **Location:** NYC

I agree John ...

The Professor · 30 Oct 2004

Kurt Busiek wrote:

Linda wrote:

Question ...

If you're collecting Kirby's DC era stuff, we all know about the "big guns" ~ the Fourth World books, Kamandi, Demon. But Kirby did other work for DC back then, too. Do they "count"? In The Days Of The Mob, a Boy Commandos reprint book, a few issues of Sandman written by Joe Simon, a couple of First Issue Special books ... these are rarely ever cited by creators as huge influences on their work the way Kirby's "big guns" are. So do they "count"?

Sure. One of those First Issue Specials gave us the Manhunters, after all, if you're just going by repercussions. Another Kirby one-off gave us Kobra.

If you're collecting Kirby because you like his storytelling and art, it's even simpler: They all got it. The Dingbats of Danger Street and Atlas may not have been revived as often as the New Gods, but they're still a lot of fun to read.

kdb

On the plus side, as a consumer, those "lesser" Kirbys are gotten very cheaply. My copies of DINGBATS and ATLAS FIRST ISSUE SPECIALS, for example, were literally just thrown in as freebies when I bought a full run of FOREVER PEOPLE.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

BELATED BIRTHDAY BUMP

RobertSwanderson · 01 Jan 2007

I desperately wanted those Spirit World and Days of the Mob books... but never saw them in my area.

DC Kirby that influenced me the most:

Newsboy Legion
Boy Commandoes
Jimmy Olsen
Kamandi

I'd take those over New Gods any day.

Uncle Twitchy · **Joined:** 28 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 30520

The Kirby Sandman stories were referenced in the Neil Gaiman Sandman series.

Rob Steinbrenner · **Joined:** 05 Jun 2006 **Posts:** 49778

Kirby did DC?

I kid, I kid.

RobertSwanderson · 01 Jan 2007

Yeah. Right after Marvel did Kirby.

Rae · 05 Jul 2007

Junkie Luv wrote:

I think they should.

With fine artists, once they 'make it' into the history books, every piece of work they've done becomes important, especially the early stuff. They show the growth and changes in style and technique- the evolution of the artist.

I've joked that if they found a piece of toilet paper used by Picasso, they'd hang it in a museum. Even a doodle on a bar napkin.

iawtp!

days of the mob I never saw,although that would be a fantastic read. I would really like to get my hands on some OMAC.

Which DC Kirby books "count"?

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