Jack Kirby New Gods Concept Presentation Oversized Collage Art
Artist: Jack Kirby (All)
34 Comments - 450 Views - 18 Likes
Additional Images:
Back of Piece and Publication
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionThis particular piece of artwork demonstrates yet another aspect of Jack Kirby’s fantastic imagination, vision and talent. It is a gigantic collage that utilizes stats of his original drawings in order to advertise his then forthcoming Fourth World series, The New Gods. Looked at in this light, this is somewhat different from the occasional collages that would appear in his comic books inasmuch as it is much more holistic and thematic. I was also drawn to this piece because Kirby personally hand colored this particular piece. That the coloring was meticulous, nuanced and a labor of love is evident from the final product itself. Insofar as the more specific description of the artwork is concerned, I can do no better than to reproduce the following description by the auction house itself as follows: This highly unique offering is a collage of epic proportions created by the legendary King of comic book artists, Jack Kirby circa 1969-1970. As documented in the highly respected Jack Kirby Collector magazine (see image below), Kirby created this work of art to introduce the concept of his visionary New Gods series to prospective publishers. With an impressive art image area of 26" x 16.5" and a total size of 28" X 18", this piece makes an indelible impression in person. Kirby created this collage using stats of his original drawings and then he watercolored the piece by hand. The collage features such key New Gods characters as Darkseid, Orion, Lightray and Metron set against a background made up of multiple prints with hand-colored accents that brings new meaning to the term "cosmic". The coloring of the characters is much more sophisticated and nuanced than comic book publishers were able to achieve in the actual comic books of the era given the limited printing technology of the time. Most Kirby fans will immediately recognize that the image of Orion comes from the now iconic cover to New Gods #1. The verbiage on the piece gives insight into Kirby's vision for the New Gods: "CONSIDERED A MAJOR WORKS IN ITS OWN MEDIA, THIS EPIC CAN NO LONGER BE CALLED JUST 'COMICS!' AS VISUAL LITERATURE, THE SAGA OF THE "NEW GODS" MAY WELL PIONEER A NEW AND EXCITING ART FORM!" The back of the piece features a DC Comics, Inc. copyright notice (see the additional images posted) so it appears to have been copyrighted once DC and Kirby came to an agreement to work together. The piece was then returned to Kirby and it was sold later by his estate. If it's not already clear from the verbiage quoted above, the King had high hopes that his "Fourth World" saga would take comic books to the next level. New Gods and its "Fourth World" companion titles Forever People and Mister Miracle were launched by DC with much fanfare in late 1970/early 1971. Kirby also took on the unlikely title Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and tied it into his larger saga, even introducing his primary villain Darkseid in the long-running Superman spinoff title. DC's management was clearly excited by Kirby's vision and gave him an unprecedented level of control over his own titles in the early 1970s. Kirby was able to work from California, far away from DC's New York editorial offices, and there was minimal interference with his vision. The primary exception was DC chose to have Superman's face redrawn by artists including Al Plastino and Murphy Anderson. Kirby wasn't at all pleased by this but DC was protective of their best-selling and most heavily merchandised character and felt it was important that he be presented in the "house style" of the time. Sadly, two years into "The Fourth World", DC pulled the plug on New Gods and Forever People due to lower than anticipated sales. The titles went over the heads of the prime comic book reading audience of the time, which was still children. Kirby was under contract to DC for three more years, so he launched new titles including The Demon and Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth. Kirby returned to Marvel in 1975 after his five-year contract ended, but younger generations of creators brought back his New Gods characters many times in the decades to follow. Darkseid became one of the most prominent villains in the broader DC Universe, in the same league as the Joker and Lex Luthor. As the average age of comic book readers moved from children to young adults, Kirby's past work saw a new level of appreciation among fans. His New Gods run would go on to be reprinted multiple times in several different formats. Today Kirby's "Fourth World" saga is highly respected and loved by legions of fans. Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Comicart Boston 
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/5/2024
John Voytek wrote:
Very cool and historic! Congratulations!
Many thanks, John. It is also very nice to have yet another genre of the King's work.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/5/2024
Lance Suarez wrote:
beauty CAB! Love it!
Many thanks, Lance. It is a piece that I am sure resonates with both of us for many, many reasons.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
This looks incredible!! I'm a big fan of the Kirby collage images/pieces he had done, this New Gods one is stellar!! Congratulations on adding this beauty.
It's been awesome to look at Kirby art on CAF since his 107th birthdate milestone last week. My last 2 posts have been Kirby pieces too if you want to take a look.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
Kavi H wrote:
This looks incredible!! I'm a big fan of the Kirby collage images/pieces he had done, this New Gods one is stellar!! Congratulations on adding this beauty.
It's been awesome to look at Kirby art on CAF since his 107th birthdate milestone last week. My last 2 posts have been Kirby pieces too if you want to take a look.
Many thanks, Kavi. This one is a monster! Although I never met him personally, I finally managed to contact him - and not long before his passing. It was such a privilege to hear back from him and Roz. Jack Kirby was - and is - truly the King of Comics!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/5/2024
Ian Saint wrote:
Holy Balls that is amazing! Major Congrats CAB!
Many thanks, Ian. This is original art of yet another kind - and no less impressive.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
Yeah, this guy was just too ahead of his time. And what does it say about this prolific genius when he's had more books cancelled than other creators have had published? For as long as comics exist, Jack Kirby will always be The King! Congrats on this cool and historic piece.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/5/2024
E DLS wrote:
Yeah, this guy was just too ahead of his time. And what does it say about this prolific genius when he's had more books cancelled than other creators have had published? For as long as comics exist, Jack Kirby will always be The King! Congrats on this cool and historic piece.
Many thanks, Eric. I hadn't realized at first that Kirby had left Marvel, but I still remember the absolute thrill when I saw the very first issue of The New Gods on the newstand and knew that he was back - now at DC. He was - and is - truly the King of Comics. There will never be another like him - particularly with the profound influence he has had on generations of artists after him. And he was such a nice and humble man too.
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
Very interesting piece CAB! Congrats on such a cool and historic acquisition!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
David Kwock wrote:
Very interesting piece CAB! Congrats on such a cool and historic acquisition!
Many thanks, Dave. Thank you once again for a lovely show and congratulations once again on a wonderful collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/5/2024
Ron S wrote:
What a great piece of history!!!
Many thanks, Ron. And it is not only my first Kirby collage piece but also my first collage piece ever. Trust that you are keeping well.
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
Wow!! Such a fun piece of history, huge congrats on this epic piece!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 9/5/2024
James Dornoff wrote:
Wow!! Such a fun piece of history, huge congrats on this epic piece!
Many thanks, James. As mentioned, the fact that this is hand colored by Kirby himself is specially interesting.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
Fourth World Greatest Hits! It has classic images from the saga as chosen by Kirby himself! Cosmic dieties concept that challenged our way of thinking may have been too heady to make it out of the comics, but they sure made an impact to those who read the comics!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
Marcus Wai wrote:
Fourth World Greatest Hits! It has classic images from the saga as chosen by Kirby himself! Cosmic dieties concept that challenged our way of thinking may have been too heady to make it out of the comics, but they sure made an impact to those who read the comics!
Many thanks, Marcus. Yes, they did have an impact indeed! This brings back a lot of memories.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
This is so historic and fantastic, I have no words. Very happy for you my friend!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/6/2024
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
This is so historic and fantastic, I have no words. Very happy for you my friend!
Many thanks, Nick. Kirby was such a polymath - I am just amazed by the coloring as well. Thanks once again, my friend.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/6/2024
Mark Howland wrote:
I'm sold!
Many thanks, Mark. So am I!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
If this were framed on my wall, I'd lose ten minutes every time I walk past it. Amazing.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/6/2024
M L wrote:
If this were framed on my wall, I'd lose ten minutes every time I walk past it. Amazing.
Many thanks, Mikail. It is a truly maginificent piece. I just love the Kirby colors.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/6/2024
Stephen F wrote:
FANTASTIC!!!!
Many thanks, Steve. Do take care.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
I actually saw this as one of the most interesting and unique pieces in the auction you got it from. It is a beautiful collage of images with a great color scheme and a very representative 4th World piece. I love single pieces that I feel are representative of an entire series, but this goes beyond that due to it representing multiple series. Also, I get a kick out of seeing that Kirby used one of those plastic stencils that kids of my generation all had to have in elementary school, to outline the title on the right hand side. Congratulations on the win, CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
I actually saw this as one of the most interesting and unique pieces in the auction you got it from. It is a beautiful collage of images with a great color scheme and a very representative 4th World piece. I love single pieces that I feel are representative of an entire series, but this goes beyond that due to it representing multiple series. Also, I get a kick out of seeing that Kirby used one of those plastic stencils that kids of my generation all had to have in elementary school, to outline the title on the right hand side. Congratulations on the win, CAB!
Many thanks, Rubén. Excellent point about the stencils. I noticed it and was thinking that I had seen it before - and I did: as a kid! This is a really original piece of Kirby original artwork - only he could turn collage into an amazing art form.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/7/2024
That's historic!!! Absolutely insane, beautiful and amazing! What a doozie! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/7/2024
Toni S wrote:
That's historic!!! Absolutely insane, beautiful and amazing! What a doozie! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!
Many thanks, Toni. It is indeed very historic and I am so very glad to be its present steward. Jack Kirby is indeed the King of Comics!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/8/2024
Another example of your impeccable taste - it fits nicely in your collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/10/2024
Mark Levy wrote:
Another example of your impeccable taste - it fits nicely in your collection!
Thanks so much, Mark, for your very kind words. This is such a unique piece in its own right and I am very glad to be its current steward.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 9/19/2024
CJ Design wrote:
Absolute GEM!
Many thanks, CJ. That is a very succinct way of putting it, but it sums it all up extremely well!
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
Auctions
| Steve Mannion - Hellboy Specialty Illustration Ori |
Auctions
 |
STEVE DITKO AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MARVEL MASTERWORK PIN-UP ORIGINAL ART (SOLD FOR $590K) |
Auctions
 |
Jim Starlin - Warlock #13, Page 7 |
Hakes Auctions
 |
DETECTIVE COMICS #522 COMIC BOOK COVER COVER ORIGINAL ART BY JIM APARO. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Geoff M Art Sales
2 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Chris Dietzel9/6/2025 3:38:00 PM |
|
Peter Venkman9/6/2025 2:54:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/6/2025 12:52:00 PM |
|
COMIX ART9/6/2025 11:30:00 AM |
|
Federico Bettini9/6/2025 11:20:00 AM |
|
P A9/6/2025 11:02:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/6/2025 3:57:00 PM |
|
Coollines Artwork9/6/2025 3:28:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/6/2025 12:52:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/6/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Kinetic Collectibles9/6/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/6/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|