The proof of what a great artist Kirby was is in the fact that even now almost a quarter of a century into the 21st century movie FX still can't come close to the amazing visuals and imagination he was creating. And I don't know that they ever will.
The What If with the Sienkiewicz Conan cover is the sequel to the Conan issue that John Buscema drew. Rapidographs were around way before that What If. Don Heck inked his art with them in the 1960s.
It's reprinted in the _Marvel Visionaries_ Jack Kirby vol. 1 hardcover from a few years back. Turns out I've already got it, just got bumped up on my to read list.
Ed is correct, Wray did have a connection with Kirby at a very young age and even arranged a job for him early in his own career- where he was then forced by the editor to "correct" the women Kirby drew. A real fan-nightmare! I highly recommend Wray's interview with the Sidebar podcast, still archived somewhere on the internet.
I actually just picked this issue up last week, so much fun. If you want to see a really nutty Kirby comic, check out Captain America Annual # 4. I just read it last night and it's about Cap and Magneto both looking for a mutant that needs help and it turns out to be a tiny little man that lives inside of a guy's watch. Kirby also introduces Magneto's "new Brotherhood" in it and it's made up of some dudes named Peeper, Thrower, Slither and a couple of other similar names. It's a wacky issue.
Gentlemen! Seeing this WHAT IF? on your table made me giggle out loud! My copy of this is treasured beyond all others, lovingly read, cherished, adored. Where IS the Artist Edition/Omnibus? Get ON it, people! FIND THE BOX!! 🖖♾
The pen Kirby used for the panel borders was either a chunky rapidograph or a drafting pen like the one I got with my compass I got for my first drafting class in '73. It had two points that the distance between could be adjusted to change the line thickness. Can't find mine right now.
There is a story about how Jack only called him “Stanley” and in this issue wrote it as “Stanley.” And it was Roy Thomas himself that had to go back and change every instance of it. Just adding to the “House-Roy” character.
I have a copy of this that I bought new at the time, and Stan Lee signed it maybe around 1981, I was a teenager. Things were very different. There was no crowd control, no paying 100 dollars to stand in line to have someone else hand your comic to Stan and then hand it back to you like the Soup N*zi in Seinfeld. He was in the dealer's room hanging out. I walked right up to Stan for free and talked to him unrushed for a good 10 minutes. He laughed when he saw the book.
Here's what the real life Stan, Jack, Sol, Flo, and others including Wally Wood and Don Heck, sounded like, circa 1965. th-cam.com/video/jfixWY3lYbU/w-d-xo.html
The proof of what a great artist Kirby was is in the fact that even now almost a quarter of a century into the 21st century movie FX still can't come close to the amazing visuals and imagination he was creating. And I don't know that they ever will.
The What If with the Sienkiewicz Conan cover is the sequel to the Conan issue that John Buscema drew. Rapidographs were around way before that What If. Don Heck inked his art with them in the 1960s.
It's reprinted in the _Marvel Visionaries_ Jack Kirby vol. 1 hardcover from a few years back. Turns out I've already got it, just got bumped up on my to read list.
This is included in the recently-released 'What If?" Omnibus Vol. 1, natch!
This issue was just reissued in What If Omnibus, Vol. 1
Ed is correct, Wray did have a connection with Kirby at a very young age and even arranged a job for him early in his own career- where he was then forced by the editor to "correct" the women Kirby drew. A real fan-nightmare!
I highly recommend Wray's interview with the Sidebar podcast, still archived somewhere on the internet.
I actually just picked this issue up last week, so much fun. If you want to see a really nutty Kirby comic, check out Captain America Annual # 4. I just read it last night and it's about Cap and Magneto both looking for a mutant that needs help and it turns out to be a tiny little man that lives inside of a guy's watch. Kirby also introduces Magneto's "new Brotherhood" in it and it's made up of some dudes named Peeper, Thrower, Slither and a couple of other similar names. It's a wacky issue.
YES! Great one! That will definitely be a future ep. One of my Favorite Kirby comics! --Ed
This was definitely a wild issue of What If..
Love Kirby’s art in this time period
Gentlemen! Seeing this WHAT IF? on your table made me giggle out loud! My copy of this is treasured beyond all others, lovingly read, cherished, adored.
Where IS the Artist Edition/Omnibus? Get ON it, people! FIND THE BOX!! 🖖♾
The pen Kirby used for the panel borders was either a chunky rapidograph or a drafting pen like the one I got with my compass I got for my first drafting class in '73. It had two points that the distance between could be adjusted to change the line thickness. Can't find mine right now.
This was one of the first comics I ever purchased when I was a kid, so I didn’t understand the references or significance. I still have the issue.
Loving these double uploads. Thanks guys!!
I’ve always enjoyed this issue and love that you covered it
Excited for the new hulk installment! And a BIG Red Room fan!
My copy is signed on the first page by Mike Royer and Scott Shaw, but I don't remember Shaw being credited in the book.
There is a story about how Jack only called him “Stanley” and in this issue wrote it as “Stanley.” And it was Roy Thomas himself that had to go back and change every instance of it. Just adding to the “House-Roy” character.
Just bought it! Kayfabe is in effect!
I have a copy of this that I bought new at the time, and Stan Lee signed it maybe around 1981, I was a teenager. Things were very different. There was no crowd control, no paying 100 dollars to stand in line to have someone else hand your comic to Stan and then hand it back to you like the Soup N*zi in Seinfeld. He was in the dealer's room hanging out. I walked right up to Stan for free and talked to him unrushed for a good 10 minutes. He laughed when he saw the book.
Here's what the real life Stan, Jack, Sol, Flo, and others including Wally Wood and Don Heck, sounded like, circa 1965. th-cam.com/video/jfixWY3lYbU/w-d-xo.html
some interesting thing faces in here. really strange art direction. congrats on the 60 thou subs
Great episode guys
My favorite comic is What if the team from cartoonist kayfabe ran for presidency.
I know this comic, but I didn't know Kirby himself had made it
Stanley being the hero is quite a stretch.
That color Sunday comic is from The Daily News, correct? What’s the date? It’s clearly from the 60s or 70s.
enjoyable.nuff said..........
There’s actually two different what if Conan today issues in that first volume, ones great he becomes a pimp
Aw man, I was hoping for The Dingbats of Danger Street.
th-cam.com/video/-5ALlWtdnF4/w-d-xo.html
Norm Macdonald's FF origin story: th-cam.com/video/5GyCK9RdGSI/w-d-xo.html