Kirby Love (King Kirby 094)

Jack Kirby touched and influenced many younger artists, helping to shape and define us in some ways. So it's no surprise that you'll find artists creating works honoring The King. I showed you mine last time - let's look at some others as we celebrate Jack's 100th today.

Though it could be argued that he should be saved for the big finish, let's open with someone whose Kirby love we've seen before, Alex Ross-

We usually know him for his inks, but Joe Rubenstein captures his old friend wonderfully in pastels -

From the man who truly earned the name Big John when he stepped into Kirby's shoes to take of the Fantastic Four, John Buscema-

We've previously seen John Byrne & Joe Sinnott's collaborative tribute to The King from FOOM, so here's Joe's solo tribute-

 ...and John Byrne's centerfold from that same issue of FOOM, inked by Duffy Vohland-

Tom Palmer's portrait & tribute to Kirby's influence at 75-

Terry Beatty's tribute to both King and creations-

Richard A Fuscia Jr and young Kirby's creative destiny-

JF Woodward's portrait of power-

...and another look at the Power of Kirby from Luis Chichón-

Thomas Boatright tries to capture Kirby's creative energy...

Moti Friedman makes me want to see the insane animated adventures of the King -

The final page of Orbit's Jack Kirby  bio comic sums things up nicely, drawn by Paul Cox with words by John Judy-

Surprise! We did save Alex Ross for the big finish, with his new portrait of Celestial Kirby for his Jack Kirby 100th Birthday Tribute.

I hope you snagged your copy of the print at San Diego, because now the best you can do is get put on the waitlist to hope for another limited release.

This is, of course, only a small sampling of the Kirby Love offered up to the world, and today being the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby's birth, there's bound to be many new offerings today.

 Jacky Kirby by Alex Ross, Joe Rubenstein, John Buscema, Joe Sinnott, John Byrne, Duffy Vohland, Tom Palmer, Terry Beatty, Richard A Fuscia Jr., J.F. Woodward, Luis Chichón, Thomas Boatright, Moti Friedman, Paul Cox & John Judy

Everybody Loves The King (King Kirby 016)

More than anyone else, it seems, Artists love Jack Kirby. I'm perhaps biased in this, as being an artist and creating this King Kirby 100 might give me a slightly skewed perspective in the matter.
I'll tell you one thing though, Alex Ross loves The King:

 

Damn, that's sweet. (As always, click on the image for a better view) This painting, of course, is Alex Ross's take on Kirby's full page panel in New Gods #6, entitled Glory Boat. If you've tragically never read the tale, Kirby's page should convey enough to appreciate the Glory of the Boat:

Meanwhile, back on Earth:

Here's The King's original pencils Mr. Ross was painting from:

...and, just for s&g, here's a look at how closely Alex was following Jack, while giving it his own special touch:

Unfortunately, Alex Ross's signature is cut off at the bottom.

Glory Boat by Jack Kirby from New Gods #6 (1972) and by Alex Ross (2007), Captain America also by Kirby & Ross(?-20th Century)