Marvel's Greatest Comics #28 Cover (Fantastic Four Cover Retake on FF #36 by Jack Kirby and John Verpoorten)
Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , John Verpoorten (Inker)
54 Comments - 493 Views - 26 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionBeing, like most collectors in the hobby, one who pursued his passion of collecting original comic artwork on a fairly strict budget, I had decided virtually from the outset (many years ago) to collect panel pages instead of covers. I have no regrets because I was able – even during period of saner prices earlier on – to collect over a wider spectrum than I would have if I had confined myself to collecting only (or even mainly) covers. And all this notwithstanding the fact that, with the astronomical rise in prices especially over recent years, the prices of significant original cover artwork have shot through the stratosphere. Indeed, so have the corresponding prices of panel pages: hence my absence of general regrets.However, one specific regret I did have was not availing myself of the saner prices of yesteryear in order to obtain a cover by the King of Comics, Jack Kirby – in particular, of that most famous superhero team which (in collaboration with Stan Lee) resonated strongly with me as a child. I am, of course, referring to the Fantastic Four. Indeed, until the present piece, I did have but one cover by the King – from the first issue of Silver Star during his stint with Pacific Comics. But alas, none from the Fantastic Four – until now. When this cover came up for auction recently, I wasn’t sure, even then, that I would be able to obtain it. What might have reduced the ultimate price would have been the fact that it was not a cover from the mainstream series itself. Rather, it was a cover for the reprint of Fantastic Four #36, which introduced the infamous counterparts of the Fantastic Four – the Frightful Four (which, incidentally, also introduced Medusa whom we later find out is a member of the royal family of the Inhumans). However, there were at least a couple of factors that weighed favorably in my at least trying for this cover. The first is that my very second Fantastic Four issue related to the Frightful Four (albeit not their first appearance). The second – already mentioned – is that this particular cover, although by the King, was not from the mainstream series. Nevertheless, given the stratospheric prices nowadays, coupled with the traditionally high prices for covers, I was not very hopeful. However, as the old saying goes, “You don’t know unless you try.” And so I tried, putting in the highest bid that I was able to afford. To my pleasant surprise, I was successful. And so I have my first – and only – Fantastic Four cover by the great Jack Kirby. This was also drawn in 1970 – more than half a century ago (and when the King was still in his artistic prime). Needless to say, I am really pleased. Quality wise, although the inking is by John Verpoorten and not Joe Sinnott, this is still a splendid cover. Verpoorten was himself a great inker (and production manager to boot). Unfortunately, he died tragically young at the age of 37. I should add that, although I don’t entirely dislike Colletta’s inking, only his inking on Thor somehow seemed fine to me and so it was a good thing that he did not get to ink this particular cover. Turning to the cover itself, the image is quite different from that in Fantastic Four #36. Whereas in that issue, the Frightful Four are seen preparing to launch their attack against the Fantastic Four, they are – in this particular cover – actually engaging with them: and then some. All in all, a well designed as well as drawn cover. And also signed by Kirby himself. Whilst the lower right corner image of the Human Torch is a paste-up, it is all original artwork. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Ron S 
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
That's awesome!! I wondered who would be smart enough to grab that. Well done, my friend, well done.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Ron S wrote:
That's awesome!! I wondered who would be smart enough to grab that. Well done, my friend, well done.
Many thanks, Ron. Perhaps not smart, just fortunate.
Amir E
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
A tremendous cover and achievement! I was keeping a close eye on this piece when it was up for auction. So dynamic and in my opinion more interesting than many of the flagship title covers he drew. Well done!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Amir E wrote:
A tremendous cover and achievement! I was keeping a close eye on this piece when it was up for auction. So dynamic and in my opinion more interesting than many of the flagship title covers he drew. Well done!
Many thanks, Amir, for your very kind words - and all the more appreciated coming from someone who really knows how to pick covers!
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Excellent example of a Kirby cover and *extremely* well bought! Congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Jeremy Radisich wrote:
Excellent example of a Kirby cover and *extremely* well bought! Congrats!
Mary thanks, Jeremy. I was really fortunate to be able to land this cover.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Simply astounding! I'm speechless. Like they say, what more could anyone want? Congrats CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
M L wrote:
Simply astounding! I'm speechless. Like they say, what more could anyone want? Congrats CAB!
Many thanks, Mikail. This is a truly great and fortunate addition to my collection, especially under present circumstances.
Alberto Gonzalez
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Wow wow wow!!! What an incredible piece to add to your already amazing collection! Congrats on getting this masterpiece!!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Alberto Gonzalez wrote:
Wow wow wow!!! What an incredible piece to add to your already amazing collection! Congrats on getting this masterpiece!!!
Many thanks, Alberto. I now know what you feel like when obtaining a Cap cover!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Mark Howland wrote:
A Kirby cover?? That's a banner day!
Many thanks, Mark. And with fond memories to boot!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
More Marvel Mayhem than the original cover. The King puts the FF in bigger danger than just a group breaking into the Baxter building. Having it smoothed out by Sinnott inks when it wasn't there for the original woudn't have made sense anyways.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Marcus Wai wrote:
More Marvel Mayhem than the original cover. The King puts the FF in bigger danger than just a group breaking into the Baxter building. Having it smoothed out by Sinnott inks when it wasn't there for the original woudn't have made sense anyways.
Many thanks, Marcus. So well put as always. As I mentioned, I was, respectfully, just glad it wasn't Vinnie Colletta inks!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
Being a fairly strict cover and splash collector, I would put Kirby at (or near) the top of a very, very, short list of artists I would be willing to make panel page exceptions for. I love that, as a panel page guy, you sort of broke the rule in reverse and went after this magnificent cover. I have no doubt it cost you a pretty penny. I also have zero doubt that you had even the slightest bit of doubt and/or regret about your decision. Congrats on your fabulous prize!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
E DLS wrote:
Being a fairly strict cover and splash collector, I would put Kirby at (or near) the top of a very, very, short list of artists I would be willing to make panel page exceptions for. I love that, as a panel page guy, you sort of broke the rule in reverse and went after this magnificent cover. I have no doubt it cost you a pretty penny. I also have zero doubt that you had even the slightest bit of doubt and/or regret about your decision. Congrats on your fabulous prize!
Many thanks, Eric. And many thanks for putting this in such great perspective. BTW, you are the quintessential example of a collector whose pursuit of covers and splashes is without peer.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
INCREDIBLE cover! Mad props CAB! Wow! Another jewel in your incredible art collection!
And agreed on Colletta. He loved Thor which is why those pages are so great!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
INCREDIBLE cover! Mad props CAB! Wow! Another jewel in your incredible art collection!
And agreed on Colletta. He loved Thor which is why those pages are so great!
Many thanks, Nick. The incredible mix of nostalgia and joy is what this cover epitomizes for me and is the very core of why we all love this hobby. And thank you so much, once again, for contributing to it in your own inimitable way.
Eric B
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 4/25/2024
YES!!!! Great addition CAB! Lots of Kirby goodness on this cover! Huge congrats.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Eric B wrote:
YES!!!! Great addition CAB! Lots of Kirby goodness on this cover! Huge congrats.
Many thanks, Eric. The sheer joy and nostalgia of obtaining this piece more than offsets the financial pain that was also entailed.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/25/2024
Ernest Benevides wrote:
Winner!!
Many thanks, Ernest. Short, but absolutely to the point!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Kirby FF Cover - that's a big feather in anyone's cap!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Mark Levy wrote:
Kirby FF Cover - that's a big feather in anyone's cap!
Many thanks, Mark. It was a long time coming, but it finally arrived.
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
I saw this one several times and almost popped it! I love these dynamic FF covers! They are the Greatest, just as the logo says!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
West Stephan wrote:
I saw this one several times and almost popped it! I love these dynamic FF covers! They are the Greatest, just as the logo says!
Many thanks, West. And thank you for not going for this as well!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Oh man!!! That's a kind of chery on top of your stupendous Jack Kirby collection! What an amazing scene! Superb inteaction scene among many characters. Medusa's hair catching Reed's arm is a delight! Pure Marvel Magic!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Toni S wrote:
Oh man!!! That's a kind of chery on top of your stupendous Jack Kirby collection! What an amazing scene! Superb inteaction scene among many characters. Medusa's hair catching Reed's arm is a delight! Pure Marvel Magic!
Many thanks, Tony. Yes, as mentioned, this particular rendition of the cover is so much more dynamic and action packed than the original cover in FF #36 - almost like a one-minute later cover!
Gabe Carino
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Wow. And your description is such an added plus to the story. I enjoyed both. Great cover.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Gabe Carino wrote:
Wow. And your description is such an added plus to the story. I enjoyed both. Great cover.
Many thanks, Gabe. So glad that you liked the description as well as it gives the context to the piece.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Just a fabulous scene! Love how all the action is choreographed!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:
Just a fabulous scene! Love how all the action is choreographed!
Many thanks, Duke. Yes, I was wondering why Kirby didn't do this cover instead of the more sedate one in the original in FF #36 - this cover is so very much more dynamic and, as you say, choreographed.
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Great pick-up! An amazing cover with all the right elements. Congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Stephen F wrote:
Great pick-up! An amazing cover with all the right elements. Congrats!
Many thanks, Steve. Yes, the action on this is so much more dynamic and even though it takes place within a small compass, it doesn't appear cluttered at all.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
When it comes to Kirby and FF, there is no second-tier, only top-class! Really impressive!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Al Simpleton wrote:
When it comes to Kirby and FF, there is no second-tier, only top-class! Really impressive!
Many thanks, Al, for your very kind words and encouragement. They are greatly appreciated.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Maicol Senzacqua wrote:
Killer cover!
Many thanks, Maicol. And many congrats on a truly splendid original comic art collection.
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 4/26/2024
Fantastic Kirby cover at a great price! Congrats CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Comic Art Channel wrote:
Fantastic Kirby cover at a great price! Congrats CAB!
Many thanks. Yes, I was relieved that the price did not skyrocket too much, otherwise it would have definitely gone to another collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/26/2024
Eelco V wrote:
Simply amazing!
Many thanks - especially coming from such an accomplished FF collector.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/30/2024
Andy Wurst wrote:
Great cover - congrats.
Many thanks, Andy. It is a really special cover for me for the reasons I set out in the description.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 4/28/2024
Sincerest congratulations on winning this cover, CAB! While there was a time when these secondary titles offered covers at massive discounts to their counterparts in the regular title, the growth of the hobby has made even the reprint series covers become highly appreciated by collectors. That this one features a dynamic layout with the scene shot from an aerial view up above and looking down at all the action, just adds to the dramatic effect and excitement of having both super teams fighting and intertwined with one another. Verpoorten did indeed do a very commendable job with the inks. A superb cover acquisition overall!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 4/30/2024
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Sincerest congratulations on winning this cover, CAB! While there was a time when these secondary titles offered covers at massive discounts to their counterparts in the regular title, the growth of the hobby has made even the reprint series covers become highly appreciated by collectors. That this one features a dynamic layout with the scene shot from an aerial view up above and looking down at all the action, just adds to the dramatic effect and excitement of having both super teams fighting and intertwined with one another. Verpoorten did indeed do a very commendable job with the inks. A superb cover acquisition overall!
Many thanks, Rubén. As always, your comments are so perceptive on so many levels. And I love the very apt description of the battle scene as embodied within the word "intertwined" - it has so many nuances and meanings.
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/28/2024
Action packed cover, very Kirbyesque! Excellent choice for a King cover. And agreed about Verpoorten. I liked him a lot on Sal Buscema and John Romita, but he does a great job here. Congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/30/2024
Carlo M wrote:
Action packed cover, very Kirbyesque! Excellent choice for a King cover. And agreed about Verpoorten. I liked him a lot on Sal Buscema and John Romita, but he does a great job here. Congrats!
Many thanks, Carlo. Yes, Verpoorten left us too early. He was a very accomplished inker indeed.
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/29/2024
Absolutely amazing Kirby FF cover, I love Jack's ability to design all-out-action on a cover like this, big congrats!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/30/2024
Joe Murray wrote:
Absolutely amazing Kirby FF cover, I love Jack's ability to design all-out-action on a cover like this, big congrats!!
Many thanks, Joe. Yes, it was amazing that Jack reconceptualised the entire cover which is, in many ways, better than the original in FF #36.
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/18/2024
This is a smorgasbord of characters that make this a classic composition full of action and emotion. Congrats! This period of Kirby's art is too me his best.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 5/18/2024
ilia georgiev wrote:
This is a smorgasbord of characters that make this a classic composition full of action and emotion. Congrats! This period of Kirby's art is too me his best.
Many thanks, Ilia. Yes, there is so much going on and yet, there is a method to the seeming chaos and madness. Only the King could do it!
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 12/8/2024
Marvel's Greatest Comics were how us guys with only a few quarters each month got to live the beginnings of Marvel Madness! This cover is awesome!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/8/2024
Steven Dilworth wrote:
Marvel's Greatest Comics were how us guys with only a few quarters each month got to live the beginnings of Marvel Madness! This cover is awesome!
Many thanks, Steven. I feel so privileged to obtain this cover and become its current steward. It looks fantastic in person.
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