Kosenkranius , Hans :: Jack Kirby's 107th Birthday Gallery

Fantastic Four #31 p.1

Artist: Jack Kirby (Penciller)

10 Comments - 307 Views - 9 Likes

Click Image to View Full Size

Additional Images:

FF #31 p.1

Unused p.6

FF #31 p.7

FF #31 p.20

FF #31 P.21

FF #31

Previous Item:
Cap #104 p.9(1968)!

Next Item:
Fantastic Four #31 p.1(b)

Artwork Details

Title:	Fantastic Four #31 p.1
Artist:	Jack Kirby (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	307
Likes on CAF:	9 10
Comments:	10
Added to Site:	12/28/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

The FF's first nemesis returns to menace the surface world once again. As Mole Man transports whole city blocks to subterranea, the Baxter Building is rocked by an earthquake sending the FF running for cover. A dynamic opener signed by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Chic Stone.

FF #31 promoted the appearance of a fascinating new character, but the story clearly went through some changes + ultimately didn't reflect Kirby's original intent. Sue + Johnny's absent father is introduced but clues from a discarded page indicate that Jack initially wanted the character and plot to be different.

An unused pg.6 portrays Franklin Storm as a con artist that Sue prevents from scamming a wealthy socialite. She rebuffs his embrace and from a margin note it's not entirely clear this is Sue's father at all. Both are captured by Mole Man and the published pg.7 still shows a hostage resembling Franklin held at gunpoint while minions carry Sue away.

For whatever reason, this order of events was rejected and the story changed. Franklin becomes a mystery man only mentioned briefly as a fugitive from the law. We don't see him until the end where he surrenders in order to perform a life saving operation on Sue. At this point, we discover he's a surgeon and the familial connection is revealed. The melodramatic tone seems very much like Stan's handiwork.

The evolution of the story shows the interplay of Kirby's pictures and Stan's words and teamwork that occured when using the Marvel Method. Although this collaboration resulted in some brilliant work, it also fed Kirby's growing dissatisfaction with the lack of co-plotting credit and compensation.

The discarded page surfaced from the collection of Stan's brother, writer/artist Larry Lieber. It was admitted as evidence in the Marvel v. Kirby lawsuit in 2011.

This Kirby/Stone period from 1964 holds a lot of nostalgia for me. My sincerest thanks to Glen Brunswick and Panel Page Art for making this deal happen!

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Hans Kosenkranius Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	October 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	scornedwoman
Website:	http://tri-stateoriginalart.com/
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Hans 's Classifieds Hans 's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Lance Suarez
Member Since 2004

Posted on 12/28/2023

Congrats on a killer Kirby splash.

Amir E
Member Since 2020

Posted on 12/28/2023

Awesome title page. Doesn't get much better than this!

Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

Posted on 12/28/2023

Fun times! Huge congrats!!

Mark Howland
Member Since 2004

Posted on 12/28/2023

Talk about a page that has it all. Fabulous!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/28/2023

The Kirby and Lee showmanship in full effect during this great era of FF and Marvel!

Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015

Posted on 12/28/2023

Beautiful!

Aaron N.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 12/29/2023

Collection-wise, that's an unbelievable pick-up, speaking as the owner of a cool panel page from this issue. But I'm extra-grateful for your insights into the lost Kirby plotting. My CAF description sort of celebrates the cheerful chaos of the plot of #31. It's good to be reminded that Lee was the chaos agent, and the story would have been well-formed and resonant without his editorial interference.

Glen Brunswick
Member Since 2004

Posted on 12/29/2023

Glad this awesome splash went to the perfect home! Enjoy that beauty, Hans!

Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012

Posted on 1/27/2024

Don't forget, the Mole Man may be beneath us, but nothing is beneath him!

Awesome classic page!

All
	Paul Handler 9/6/2025 1:13:00 PM
	J Murdock 9/6/2025 1:06:00 PM
	JN 80 9/6/2025 1:01:00 PM
	Jamo's Art 9/6/2025 1:00:00 PM
	Will Gabri-El 9/6/2025 12:52:00 PM
View All


	Spidey-Man4444 . 9/6/2025 12:42:00 PM
	P A 9/6/2025 11:49:00 AM
	COMIX ART 9/6/2025 11:30:00 AM
	Dave E 9/6/2025 11:22:00 AM
	Federico Bettini 9/6/2025 11:20:00 AM