The Art of the Simon and Kirby Studio

As a comic historian I seek out scanned original artwork whenever I can. Though not reproduced 1:1 like IDW's Artist Editions (and their competition at Dynamite and Graphitti Designs) this book gives you at least twice the material at a decent size. Fans of 40s and 50s era comics should give it a look. Comic art fans who don't want to shell out hundreds of dollars for similar books featuring Kirby art should definitely give this a look.

Thank you, Mr. Evanier, for putting out such faithful reproductions shot from the original art from S&K studio(s). I wish it were all S&K art, but fortunately (for my taste) they are the most-represented creatives here. The other artists are quite good, too.

Just a glance through this amazing volume took my breath away. It's not unlike having a collection of original art from the glory days of Joe Simon, Jack Kirby and their stable of truly gifted artists. For those unfamiliar with the groundbreaking work of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, they created Captain America for Timely Comics (now known as Marvel) and invented the romance comic book. You won't see their pre-World War II work for Timely (which also includes Kirby's original, mystical version of The Vision) or the DC Comics that immediately followed (The Boy Commandos, The Guardian & the Newsboy Legion, The Sandman and The Manhunter), but there is nonetheless a wealth of great comic book art contained herein. Among the artists employed by their studio were Al Williamson, Wally Wood, Jack Davis, Mort Meskin and other great talents. In their collaborations as a studio, it's often difficult to tell where one artist left off and another took over. Of course, being the perfectionist he was, "action man" Kirby often touched up the work of others to create a uniform look. The history of their years as an art team and as business partners is insightfully covered in the introduction by compiler and editor Mark Evanier. Similar to the much-pricier "Artist Editions" usually featuring one comic title by a respected artist, this fabulous compendium rates space next to the "Simon & Kirby Library" editions, particularly the "Superheroes" and "Best of Simon & Kirby" tomes. Included are all genres of stories produced by their prolific studio, the highlights for me were pages from "Stuntman," "The Fighting American," "Adventures of the Fly" and "The Double Life of Private Strong" (featuring the precursor of Captain America, Archie/MLJ Comics' The Shield). I know in my heart that I will never tire of leafing through this remarkable book or settling in for a satisfying read that recalls my childhood. Just as issue #1 of "Adventures of the Fly" seemed to jump off the comics swivel rack at my local pharmacy when I was 11-years-old, this collection produced a reverence in me that I seldom experience in my 60s. I wish for you that same euphoria. Although not from the era that many consider their heyday, this is, in Kirby's words, "Our best work at the worst time."

The best part of this book for me is seeing the Kirby inked pages. Not as large as IDW's actual size Artist's Editions, but cheaper and WAY more pages reproduced in a similar fashion.Originally these pages would have been done twice up with an art area about 12.5 x 18", so, if this book was actual size it would be hard to work with having this many pages. Acceptable compromise especially with the price difference.

This book is incredible...my husband is really into comic and comic history and he was excited about the quality. A bit heavy in weight, but still a great piece on Jack Kirby.

Great. Art shot from originals, with pencil and white-out. Also art from others in the studio, i.e Mort Meskin, Al Williamson, Steve Ditko, and others

If you are a fan of the "the King" of comic artists this book is a must. If you are a fan of the numerous Marvel properties and want a deeper understanding of the depth of the talent behind it all, then enjoy this book. Large and in charge, the book is massive with untouched reproductions of the original art used to create numerous titles.

This book is simply outstanding.

For the price this is a gem, showing the work that the Simon & Kirby studio produced from the early days upto the 60s, most faithfully reproduced from the original pen and ink pages, if you love comics miss it not.

great album ,great seller

Très bel ouvrage reprenant d'autres histoires...sauf que ce livre est en anglais, je n'ai pas fait attention ! Dommage j'ai dû le rendre

Pour les Fans de Kirby

ES UN GRAN LIBRO AUNQUE NO RECOJA LOS MEJORES NI MÁS CONOCIDOS TRABAJOS DE SUS AUTORES. LAS REPRODUCCIONES SON IMPECABLES. LO COMPRÉ POR 22 EUROS, NO SÉ SI PAGARÍA LOS 59 QUE PIDEN AHORA.