Sky Masters - July 2, 1959

Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , Wally Wood (Inker)

12 Comments - 584 Views - 3 Likes

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Sky Masters - February 4, 1959

Artwork Details

Title:	Sky Masters - July 2, 1959
Artist:	Jack Kirby (Penciller)
Artist:	Wally Wood (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Comic Strip
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	584
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Comments:	12
Added to Site:	7/10/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Sky Masters was a syndicated comic, published from September 8th, 1958 to February 25th, 1961. Designed to be a �realistic� space strip, it had a lot of potential. Written by Dave and Dan Wood, the art was initially by Jack Kirby and Wally Wood. Wally Wood left the strip around July 11, 1959. After that, the strip lumbered along until it breathed it�s last in early 1961.

At that time, artists of successful, published strips were at the top echelon. Kirby most certainly wanted to move from his current role at DC Comics into the ranks of artists like Capp, Caniff, and Raymond, who were well known and respected.

Alas, it was not to be.

Kirby�s business arrangement was poorly handled (sadly a theme in his career) and he ended up in litigation regarding royalties almost immediately after the strip started syndication. He lost the lawsuit on December 3rd, 1959; Wood left the strip shortly before that (because Kirby needed to save money). After Wally left, the strip was inked by Kirby himself, Ayers, or in some cases, perhaps Roz. It�s clear that Kirby realized it wasn�t going to be the monetary success he had hoped for, and the artwork suffers at that point. As I said above, it continued publication for a little over another year, but it effectively ended in terms of quality when Wally Wood left.

For more on the story, I recommend Sky Masters: The Complete Sunday Strips by our own Ferran Delgado and Sky Masters: The Complete Dallies by Hermes Press.

On a positive note, the failure of the strip and his anger at DC led Kirby to try something different across the street with a guy named Stan Lee.

Yep, if Sky Masters was a success, we would not have the same Marvel Universe we�ve all grown to love.

I�ve been able to grab a few of the Sky Masters strips over time, and they show us what could have been.

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About the Owner

	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/10/2021

These scenes rock with Wood's meticulous inks packing in background technology and waves. Each with its own energy.

Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 7/10/2021

Great pick-up and fascinating story!

Scott Williams
Member Since 2004

Posted on 7/10/2021

Great art, great commentary Ron!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/10/2021

What incredible selections. Each strip more awe inspiring than the next. And I must say, your write up was perfect. Not that we fans and collectors would have needed that fascinating bit of Kirby lore to help pique our interest in these brilliant examples. Still, it’s almost impossible not to play the WHAT IF game and imagine all the alternate outcomes if events in Kirby’s life and career had played out differently. Again, while the art certainly speaks for itself, your editorial provided great background and, at the same time, adds a delicious bit of titillation to our viewing experience. Well done sir!

John B
Member Since 2004

Posted on 7/10/2021

I was always confused by the Kirby/Wood signature blurb on those later ones, thinking, "No way Woody touched that." I've heard different versions over the years, but none so clear as this. Nice little write-up. And a very cool strip.

West Stephan
Member Since 2007

Posted on 7/10/2021

Exceptional!

Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006

Posted on 7/10/2021

Nice background on the strip which explains why the quality went rapidly downhill after Wood left. Poor Jack Kirby. Even worse was to happen when Marvel shafted him too. I always feel like comic companies treat their creators very shabbily. Kirby should have been given oodles of money by Marvel as should so many others.

Stephen F
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/10/2021

Great strip! Great story!

Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009

Posted on 7/10/2021

Outstanding strip from two legendary artists!

Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004

Posted on 7/11/2021

I looked for this one for years! Great to see it ended up in your collection!

J H
Member Since 2019

Posted on 7/12/2021

A perfect marriage of their styles in the work. I love when you get two masters together, and each hand is still distinct. And you can tell they both really dug that second panel. What cool work, filled with their imagination. And that's a scary What If...That Marvel work jump started my creativity, as I'm sure it did many others. I'm glad things worked out as they did (except for Kirby not getting everything he deserved!). Great scores. Big congrats!

Joe Murray
Member Since 2006

Posted on 7/17/2021

Wow, one of the greatest combo of masters, just amazing, congrats!!

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