top of page

  Jack Kirby -
   King of the Comics

Artist for a 3D comic in 1982 -

One    small chapter in his life 

1982_Jack_Kirby_by_Susan_Pinsky.jpg

Aug 28, 1917 - Feb 6, 1994  76 years

1982 Jack Kirby working at his easel by
1982 Jack Kirby at his work bench by Susan Pinsky
1982 Jack Kirby drawing with Tony Alders
1982 Jack Kirby at his work bench while Tony Alderson looks on by Susan Pinsky
1982 John Rupkalvis David Hutchison and
1982 John Rupkalvis, David Hutchison and Tony Alderson watching 3-D Cosmic poster be printed
by Susan Pinsky
1982 Jack Kirby working on Battle for 3D
1982 Jack Kirby at his work bench by Susan Pinsky
1982 Jack Kirby signing his new 3-D comi
1983 Roz and  Jack Kirby at a comic book store signing "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" comic
by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Cosmic_back_cover_Videora_co
1982 Videora: Cosmic Telepath - character in "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - inside front cover image, colorized post production
1982_Battle_Comic_first_page - Copy.jpg
1982 Page  1 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_004.jpg
1982 Page  2 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_p42.jpg
1982 Page  3 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_008.jpg
1982 Page  4 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_010.jpg
1982 Page  5 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_012.jpg
1982 Page  6 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_014.jpg
1982 Page  7 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_016.jpg
1982 Page  8 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_020.jpg
1982 Page  9 of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_018.jpg
BattleforaThreeDimensionalWorld.jpg

Jack Kirby was known as the "King of Comics" because he was one of the most talented artists in the industry. He's made many significant contributions to the comic book universe with his brilliantly sketched characters. Here are ten interesting facts about Mr. Kirby that most people are not aware of.

​

August 28, 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the King of Comics. Jack Kirby would have been a century old on this date. He was born on this date in 1917. He spend more than six decades of his life with dedication making comics. He passed away of February 6th of 1994 at the age of 76.

Here is a fun fact about Jack Kirby that most people don't know. He, along with Simon launched a comic titled "Young Romance." Arguably, it was the first time that a romance had ever been published in comic book form. It was a first for the comic book industry and well as for both Simon and Kirby. The two were in collaboration on the project and although it's largely been sidelined, it's important to acknowledge that it happened.

​

In his work and profession, Jack Kirby knew that comics were not just a passing fad. He believed that the entertainment medium was here to stay and he didn't focus his talents on pandering to any on audience in particular. He followed his instincts and used comics to tell a variety of different stories that would appeal to a wide range of viewers male, female, young, old and so forth. It's not all about superheroes intended for male audiences. He saw the opportunity for storytelling on many levels and so he didn't stick with one main theme.

​

Although Jack Kirby has been gone since 1994, his contributions to Marvel Comics have been so significant that they wouldn't be here they're at today if it had not been for his efforts and his masterpieces. He collaborated with Stan Lee on projects that would become important aspects of the Marvel Universe we know today. He helped to craft fiction pieces with stories that began with a simple premise, but the links and connections that they would develop in the decades to come would culminate into the combined forms that we're paying money for to watch on the latest film release at the theaters. Together, he and Stan Lee helped to connect the characters in meaningful ways.

​

Kirby's work with the Fantastic Four is what brought about the Negative Zone with its unfatho-mable depths. In addition, he's credited with the creation of the cosmic threats of Annihilus, Kree, Galactus and more. The Attilan and the Inhuman's Society, which are the secret ancient civilizations from the Savage Land present the Marvel Universe with a greater sense of believable fodder. He was one of the most creative minds in the business, and the Marvel Universe, in part, exists because of his work.

​

There aren't many fans that are aware of the fact that Jack Kirby started his career as a professional animator. Early in his career he worked for Fleischer Studios. He assisted in bringing their Popeye cartoons to life. Later in his career, he also worked for Hanna-Barbera as well as Ruby-Spears studios.

​

Although it's not common knowledge that he was a costume designer, it really comes as no great surprise.
He spent time throughout his career designing costumes for movies, plays and for theme parks. Although many of them didn't come to fruition he still put in the time and effort. He worked on a variety of different costume design projects that we'll probably never hear about because this part of his career never really took off.

​

Jack Kirby also did some work crafting political cartoons. To confirm this all you need to do is to reflect back on the 1941 cover of Captain America in the number one edition. It shows Captain American trouncing Adolf Hitler. What a way to establish the character as a patriot.

​

This was more of a feat than many people realize. It's all too easy to make your own comic book today than it was back in the early 1950s era. They didn't have the luxury of computer programs to generate the pictures. Almost everything had to be done by hand. It was a risky venture because in those days comics were considered to be a "bottom of the barrel" indus-try. Kirby and his partner Simon financed the endeavor with their own money.

​

Another interesting, and little known, fact about Jack Kirby is that he was an avid promoter of diversity. He worked with Stan Lee in the creation of Black Panther for Marvel Studios. When you review his work you can see that he made every effort to include all types of diversity into the characters and situations on his pages.

promo for battle for a 3d world comic wi
1982 Page  10  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_p_40.jpg
1982 Page  11  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
Page 12 Battle for a 3D World.jpg
1982 Page  12  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
Page 13 Battle for a 3D World.jpg
1982 Page  13  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_Comic_024.jpg
1982 Page  14  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
Page 15 Battle for a 3D World.jpg
1982 Page  15  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - written by Ray Zone, artwork by Jack Kirby, converted to 3-D by Tony Alderson, layouts and edited by Susan Pinsky
Depths of Time by Tony Alderson.jpg
1982 Page  16  of "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" - "Depths of Time"
1982 Battle for a 3D World poster black
1982 Poster promoting "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" comic done by 3D Cosmic Productions
1982_3D_Cosmic_Packaging_and_Shipping_de
1982 3D Cosmic Packaging and Shipping dept Supervised by Ray Zone by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_for_a_3D_World_Comic_on_pres
1982 "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" cover on the printing press by Susan Pinsky
1982 Susan Pinsky Ray Zone and John Rupk
1982 Susan Pinsky, Ray Zone and John Rupkalvis, who chose the ink colors for the printing of the comic, watching Battle for a 3D World comic being printed at printers by David Starkman
1982_Battle_for_a_3D_World_Comic_single_
1982 Battle for a 3D World Comic single frame 
1982_Battle_for_a_3D_World_Comic_pages_o
1982 "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" inside comic pages on the printing press by Susan Pinsky
1982 Susan Pinsky Tony Alderson and Jack
1983 Susan Pinsky, Tony Alderson and Jack Kirby with Battle 3D comic signing at American Comic book store in Burbank by David Starkman
1982_Point_of_Purchase_Battle_for_a_3-D_
1982 "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" point of purchase box with header by David Starkman
1982_Jack_Kirby_working_at_his_home_tabl
1982 Jack Kirby at his work bench in his home in Thousand Oaks, CA by Susan Pinsky
1982_Susan_Pinsky_holding_proof_print_fo
1982 Susan Pinsky holding proof print for 3D TV promo at printers by David Starkman
1982_Jack_Kirby_at_home_working_by_Susan
1982 Jack Kirby at his work bench by Susan Pinsky
1982_Battle_for_a_3D_World_Comic_cover_o
1982 Battle for a 3D World Comic cover on press Dec by Susan Pinsky
1983_Jack_and_Roz_Kirby_signing_Battle_c
1983 Roz and  Jack Kirby at a comic book store signing "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" comic
by Susan Pinsky
1982_Workers_in_3D_Cosmic_Publications_p
1982 Workers in 3D Cosmic Publications packaging office in North Hollywood, CA by Susan Pinsky
1983 Ray Zone at the 3D Video auction by
1983 Ray Zone at the 3D Video Corporation bankruptcy auction by Susan Pinsky
1983_Roz_and_Jack_Kirby_at_Battle_3-D_co
1983 Roz and  Jack Kirby at a comic book store signing "Battle for a Three Dimensional World" comic
by Susan Pinsky
1982 David Starkman in the packaging dep
1982 David Starkman in No Hollywood, CA , 3D Cosmic Publications packaging dept by Susan Pinsky  
1982_3D_Cosmic_Publications_Ray_Zone_and
1982 Ray Zone and John Rupkalvis at 3-D Cosmic offices, in Susan Pinsky's office by Susan Pinsky
1982 Ray Zone with John Rupkalvis at 3-D
1982 Printer employee, Ray Zone with John Rupkalvis at 3-D comic book printer by Susan Pinsky
1982_Ray_Zone_and_John_Rupkalvis_at_Batt
1982 Printer, Ray Zone and John Rupkalvis at 3-D comic book printing December by Susan Pinsky
TonyAldersonat3DVideo1982byDavidStarkman
1982 Tony Alderson prepping at 3-D Comic book point of purchase pkg to shoot by David Starkman
1982_Jack_Fishman_Ray_Zone_and_David_Sta
back page of battle for a 3d world color
1982 3D Cosmic Publications, Susan Pinsky's office with Jack Fishman, Ray Zone
and David Starkman by Susan Pinsky
1982 David Starkman surrounded by 3D Cos
1982 David Starkman at the printer surrounded by 11 x 17" posters promoting the "Battle for a 3-D World" comic produced by 3D Cosmic Publications by Susan Pinsky
1982_Jim_Butterfield_at_3D_Video_Corp_by
1982 James Butterfield, President of 3D Video Corp., who hired Susan Pinsky to produce a  
3-D comic book, who hired Ray Zone to write the story, Jack Kirby to do the artwork
and Tony Alderson to convert it to 3-D, at his desk, by David Starkman
1983_Susan_Pinsky_Jack_Kirby_and_Tony_Al
1983 Susan Pinsky, Jack Kirby and Tony Alderson at American Comic Co for
"Battle for a 3-D World" signing by David Starkman
Jack Kirby was the gentlest man who lived to change the world 
​
​
​
Please Note - all photos will enlarge bo
1982 Jack Kirby working at his easel by
Box 6x4 your 3D images are welcome box with bars.jpg
bottom of page