After work this morning, I was able to walk outside without wearing a coat or jacket. This is something that I have not been able to do in weeks if not months. The sun was shining bright and no clouds could be seen in the sky. All but a few traces of snow surviving in the shade had disappeared leaving any and all debris on the ground visible. It was an odd contrast. The ground looked ugly and dead, but the air and the sky were perfect. It was nice. Maybe winter has finally exited the stage.
I can not remember when I first became aware of the man Jack Kirby and his impact on the comic book industry, but I do know that his style is unmistakable. Bold, block like faces and arms that punch out through the panels filled with abstract shapes are what come to my mind. His legacy at Marvel came to my attention first and over time I have come to know most of his DC creations. Personal favorites of mine include Scott Free and Barda. Visually the two of them are classic in my mind and I also appreciate their tragic and triumphant relationship. However, not every character in the Kirby stable has been seen firsthand by me, so I was happy to have a chance to read the Kamandi Countdown Special that DC recently put together.
Now having read the first issue of Kamandi, I can say that it is very Kirby. A world where civilization has fallen into ruins and animals have learned to talk is something very much in his style and speaks to his strengths as an artist. I can not say that I was instantly hooked by what I read, but I can appreciate his effort to create something outside the normal super hero genre. Plus at the time, I am certain that it was very eccentric if not ground breaking.
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