Mixon, Bret :: Jack Kirby

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #78 - Kraggoom splash - Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko

Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , Steve Ditko (Inker)

4 Comments - 180 Views - 9 Likes

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #78 - Kraggoom splash - Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko Comic Art

Additional Images:

Kirby's erased pencils

Back lit Kraggoom hand detail

Detail of white out on Kraggoom's hand

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Artwork Details

Title:	JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #78 - Kraggoom splash - Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko
Artist:	Jack Kirby (Penciller)
Artist:	Steve Ditko (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	180
Likes on CAF:	9 10
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	6/14/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Splash page to "Kraggoom! The Creature Who Caught an Astronaut!" from Journey into Mystery #78.

Drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Steve Ditko.

I always loved Ditko's inks on Kirby. Both had such strong styles but the combination yielded something truly unique. Notice Ditko erased some of Jack's pencils in the area around the astronaut. Normally, we don't like people erasing Jack but it does make the figure pop and stand out from the background. Also, note the white out on Kraggoom's hand. The Comics Code probably felt the proximity of the creature to the astronaut implied too much danger and so the clutching hand was shortened to lessen the threat.

Another SDCC pickup from all around great guy Mike Thibodeaux.

I posted some additional photos to show the erased pencils and the white out around the hand. I was able to back light the hand so you can see how the original would have looked.

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About the Owner

	Bret Mixon
Joined:	August 2009
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Dan P
Member Since 2009

Posted on 6/14/2025

A great Kirby Monster splash and the Ditko inks are sharp!

greg masterg
Member Since 2024

Posted on 6/14/2025

Great Monster page.Ditko really made the astronaut pop out. You can feel the fear in his facial expression. Compliments of Kirby/Ditko magic!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 6/15/2025

Very nice with the circle tube framing around the astronaut to add suspense and fear as there is no escape from Kraggoom!

Michael Greczek
Member Since 2003

Posted on 6/15/2025

Amazing that Kirby banged these pages out for $10/pg even back in the late 50s. Excellent figure work ala Sky Masters. And maybe even a foreshadowing of early Thing portrayals in the Kraggoom character. Congrats on owning this classic piece !

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	Paul Handler 9/6/2025 3:02:00 PM
	Greg McKee 9/6/2025 3:02:00 PM
	Peter Venkman 9/6/2025 2:54:00 PM
	J Murdock 9/6/2025 2:47:00 PM
	Hassan T 9/6/2025 2:47:00 PM
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