Jack “The King” Kirby Lives Again
Now Live On Zoop
Often considered the greatest comics artist of all time, Jack Kirby’s body of work is unrivaled. Now for the first time in decades, some of his rare, lesser known work will be made available to fans via the Zoop crowdfunding platform. Funny Animals & Teenage Hi-Jinks is a compilation of strips and comics that Kirby did in and around 1947 with collaborator, and Captain America Co-Creator, Joe Simon. It launches today at 8amPST/11amEST.
The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center’s Kirby Museum Press has lovingly shepherded this project from finding and collecting all the art and files, to having the pages remastered by Simon & Kirby expert Harry Mendryk. The book follows the Kirby Museum Press’ previously successful Kirby crowdfunding campaign, Skymasters of the Space Force, which also launched on Zoop. This being only the 2nd time that Jack Kirby and crowdfunding officially join forces.
The main reward in this campaign is a 128 page, 8.5×11 hardcover filled with images, strips, stories, and more. In 1947, after their genre-defining superhero work and World War II, but before their groundbreaking romance work, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby turned out funny animal comics and teenage comedy. This collection brings together some of their rarest work — light, funny, full of mid-century charm — back in print for the first time in decades. Kirby fans and completionists will be delighted to see some old work for the first time, and to be able to display it on their bookshelves as true aficionados.
The campaign will be offering more than just the book. There will be limited edition items, exclusive items, and some forgotten gems from Kirby history popping up. There will also be early bird specials, so fans are urged to pledge early to get first dibs on the limited rewards, and any specials available for the first 48 hours.
ABOUT THE JACK KIRBY MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER
The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center is organized exclusively for educational purposes; more specifically, to promote and encourage the study, understanding, preservation, and appreciation of the work of Jack Kirby by:
– illustrating the scope of Kirby’s multi-faceted career,
– communicating the stories, inspirations, and influences of Jack Kirby,
– celebrating the life of Jack Kirby and his creations, and
– building understanding of comic books and comic book creators.
To this end, the Museum will sponsor and otherwise support study, teaching, conferences, discussion groups, exhibitions, displays, publications, and cinematic, theatrical, or multimedia productions.