Jack Kirby Star Wars

Heimdall

Gomdulla, the Living Pharaoh

I Challenged...Groot!

Groot!

The Origin of the Red Skull!

From Tales of Suspense #66 (June 1965). Art by Jack Kirby and Chic Stone.

Nightglider!

Nightglider! From the short-lived Kirbyverse line of titles published by Topps comics.

Steranko!

It just occurred to me: how could I run this blog and not feature anything by comics legend Jim Steranko!?!

 

Probably most widely known for his groundbreaking, hypnotic and psychedelic work on Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Steranko has led a life and had a career almost too amazing to be true. Writer, artist, illustrator, historian, magician, musician...Steranko has done more in his life than most people could do in two. His work has (and still does have) more influence over comic art, layout and graphic design in the last 40 years than any four artists combined. The only other comic creator with a stronger foothold in the history of comics is Jack Kirby, whom Steranko apprenticed with at Marvel Comics in the 1960's.

Image via Wikipedia

Anyway, enough history (for now). I present a few pieces of Steranko work. Please, allow me to indulge!
(Almost forgot! Visit this tremendous website, the Drawings of Steranko for even more fabulous eye-candy!)

Related articles

• Early INDIANA JONES Concept Art by Jim Steranko (geektyrant.com)
• Original 'Indiana Jones' Concept Art by Jim Steranko (slashfilm.com)

Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Image via Wikipedia

Growing up a child of the '70's and '80's, my version of Nick Fury wasn't Samuel L. Jackson. All apologies to Mr. Jackson (who is an incredibly talented actor and I consider myself a fan of his work), the Nick Fury I grew up with was a somewhat middle-aged white guy re-invented by Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko (who really ran with the character). The character itself is a pastiche of the 1960's spy/adventure set, which makes sense since it's when he debuted.

Image via Wikipedia

Anyway, even though it isn't cool to be a middle-aged, caucasian super-spy any more (sorry Mr. Bond), I still love the character.

Image via Wikipedia

I find it incredibly interesting that writers are able to make the two versions co-exist in the Marvel comics universes, but not in popular culture. Case in point: check out the latest Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon. The character is an amalgam of both versions of the character.
*sigh*
Maybe someday I'll see my favorite version of Nick Fury done justice. I still shudder at the horribly bad Hasselhoff debacle that was on Fox tv.
And so, this is my small tribute to the character, via a little gallery of images I cobbled from Deviantart.com.
Enjoy!

Related articles

• "Has Nick Fury found a female sidekick for The Avengers?" and related posts (totalfilm.com)
• Samuel L. Jackson Confirms He'll Be in THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER; Says Nick Fury Will Have a New Female Sidekick (collider.com)
• Confirmed: Cobie Smulders Cast in THE AVENGERS (collider.com)