Comics If Jack Kirby were alive today, would he be proud of the writers & artists of X-Men?

[ProfeZZor X]

Seeing that X-Men has had it's fair share of ups and downs in the industry, and actually being taken off the market in it's earlier years... Do you think Kirby and Lee would actually appreciate where this franchise is going now?

Aside movie deals, and merchandise, I'm talking about the true artistry of writing and illustrating...

Who do you think has contributed to it's uprising, and who do you think has contributed to it's downfall over the years?

 

[Mistopurr83]

Do you think Kirby and Lee would actually appreciate where this franchise is going now?

No.

 

[Cyclops]

I honestly doubt Kirby cared too much about the X-Men either way, to tell you the truth.

But as for the House of Ideas on a whole, I doubt that the King would approve. I personally, though, would like to know Steve Ditko's take on what they're doing to Spider-Man.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

I wouldn't wanna be Steve Ditko looking at a recent Spider-Man comic. They've pretty much bastardized all of the work he and Lee did on the character over the past year(s).

On topic, I think Kirby would be happy with the current state of the X-Men franchise. I mean, the quality control is definitely the best it's been in years right now. Whedon and Cassady, Brubaker and Tan, Carey and Bachalo, plus you've got Peter David working miracles over on X-Factor, Nicieza doing a relatively good run on Cable and Deadpool...it's not too shabby right now. Had you asked this same question about two years ago, my answer would've been a resounding "rolling in his grave", but thankfully that's no longer the case.

 

[Cyclops]

Kirby always struck me as an old-style curmudgeon. I think that if he looked at superhero books today, he wouldn't recognize them as superhero books at all.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Very true. These definitely aren't his comics, that's for sure.

 

[Cyclops]

Which is why I have difficulty believing that he'd approve. If he were alive and you handed him an issue of say, New Avengers (it's the number one comic around, so it's a safe bet) he'd probably take his cigar out of his mouth, give you a puzzled look, and say "What the hell is this?" I think the only Marvel superhero book he'd approve of from the last several years is the Waid/Weiringo run on Fantastic Four.

As for the X-Men, he had mostly left the book before the first year was done anyway. I really doubt he gave a flying crap about them either way.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

I tend to agree with you. On that note, do you think that ANY of the creators from back then, and even a little later, agree with the way comics have gone since? The whole scene changed in the '80s, and I can't imagine many of them are too "proud", for lack of a better term, of the direction comics have gone in since. A Lee/Kirby issue of Fantastic Four is MILES away from a Millar issue of Fantastic Four.

 

[Cyclops]

Let me guess - this topic is getting no response because most people here have no idea who Jack Kirby is.

 

[Harlekin]

It's getting no response from me at least because I agree completely with what you say.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Let me guess - this topic is getting no response because most people here have no idea who Jack Kirby is.

Oh no. Please, don't say that. I can't even imagine being even a casual fan of the art form and NOT knowing who Jack Kirby is.

 

[Arach Knight]

Jack "The King" Kirby...

the man is a legend in his own right. Lee, Ditko and Kirby were there own super team of sorts, because it was the three of them, that were primarily responsible for the bulk of the Marvel Universe that we know and love. How do I think Kirby would take to the X-Men? Probably a lot better than he would take to other marvel creations that have been told to jump more hoops than a circus bear. Though Strazynski is taking a stab at the Silver Surfer, that character is often left in the way side. Captain America only recetenly returned to the spotlight. The X-Men have had more good moments, than bad moments...but when the bad moments come, they are truly bad.

In all honesty though...I think more of Kirby's heart, was over at DC. From Etrigan to Darkseid, Thanos' superior analogue, more of Jack's DC creations, are treated better than his Marvel ones. I still remember that episode of Superman TAS where that police inspector was killed by Darkseid. That episode was dedicated to The King himself. May he rest in peace, and may his Marvel creations see better days.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Let me guess - this topic is getting no response because most people here have no idea who Jack Kirby is.

That's my guess. I posted the exact same question on a more heavily visited X-Men site, and most seem to agree that Kirby wouldn't agree with today's books.

On a side note, I think his movie cameos are only turning him into a joke of sorts. A trained circus performer that's had his heyday, and is now featured as a freak. His only active role in the production of Marvel superhero movies is "consultant" these days... Which translates into him being a has been. What a shame.

 

[Arach Knight]

Jack Kirby passed away in 1994. There is no way he could be a consultant for any modern Marvel movies. Unless you were refering to Stan "The Man" Lee, who is still very much alive and with us.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

That's my guess. I posted the exact same question on a more heavily visited X-Men site, and most seem to agree that Kirby wouldn't agree with today's books.

On a side note, I think his movie cameos are only turning him into a joke of sorts. A trained circus performer that's had his heyday, and is now featured as a freak. His only active role in the production of Marvel superhero movies is "consultant" these days... Which translates into him being a has been. What a shame.

Please, please, PLEASE tell me you didn't just mistake Stan Lee for Jack Kirby.

*smacks head*

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Please, please, PLEASE tell me you didn't just mistake Stan Lee for Jack Kirby.

*smacks head*

No, I know the difference between the two... I was just going off on a tangent on how Stan Lee has no street cred these days, with his "stamp of approval" cameo movie roles.

 

[Cyclops]

Well, you have to understand, Stan is VERY OLD. Our society being as ageist as it is, it's no surprise that they keep Stan around mostly to be a figurehead. I'm honestly surprised (pleasantly so) that he's not only still alive but turning out good work for the daily Spider-Man newspaper strip (in my opinion the best Spider-Man "title" available). That in and of itself is worth something very valuable.

As for the movies, being in them doesn't mean he approves necessarily. For all we know, he hasn't even read the scripts of the movies. After all, considering his post-Unmasking comments on "Who Wants to Be...?" ("Spider-Man would never take off his mask. It's part of who he is."), he definitely does not approve on everything that is done to his characters. Doesn't mean he has any power to affect what's done, but he doesn't necessarily approve.

Stan, however, being the public and revered figure he is, HAS to keep a positive veneer about him when it comes to comics. He can't directly express disdain for what people are doing, he can't overtly say what may or may not be on his mind, because to most of us comicbook nerds, Stan Lee is revered.

It is entirely possible that any comment he makes could adversely effect comicbook sales, and he does not want that. These characters can survive whatever Quesada and his goons throw at them. But I think negative comments by Stan Lee could prove a whole lot more damaging.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Stan, however, being the public and revered figure he is, HAS to keep a positive veneer about him when it comes to comics. He can't directly express disdain for what people are doing, he can't overtly say what may or may not be on his mind, because to most of us comicbook nerds, Stan Lee is revered.

It is entirely possible that any comment he makes could adversely effect comicbook sales, and he does not want that. These characters can survive whatever Quesada and his goons throw at them. But I think negative comments by Stan Lee could prove a whole lot more damaging.

I agree. And despite his current infintecimal role in comic books, he has whittled down to an iconic head figure for Marvel products, and anything he says could inadvertently affect Marvel as a whole.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

There is no doubt that Stan Lee or Jack Kirby would be proud of what Claremont did with the X-Men during the 1980`s,that was the era of the X-Men.As for past 1992,well...

 

[Cyclops]

I agree. And despite his current infintecimal role in comic books, he has whittled down to an iconic head figure for Marvel products, and anything he says could inadvertently affect Marvel as a whole.

I honestly think that his word could effect the industry on a whole. He is the MOST legendary comics creator ever. He's been the face of the comics industry for decades.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

I honestly think that his word could effect the industry on a whole. He is the MOST legendary comics creator ever. He's been the face of the comics industry for decades.

Which is unfortunate... Because he's doomed for his celebrity status as the "Godfather" of comic books. a role model or spokesperson, if you want to call him that.

Still, you gotta love the guy for his rambuncious and high-spirited personality.

 

[Cyclops]

I absolutely do. Stan is always a delight to see, even in the most abyssmal projects.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

I absolutely do. Stan is always a delight to see, even in the most abyssmal projects.

I concur.

 

[Arach Knight]

Stan Lee is far taller than I thought he was. I saw him two years ago at E3. He was at the Activision booth (for the release of X-Men Legends and Spider-Man 2). He was also very kind, and very funny. I handed him my copy of Amazing Spider-Man #329, and told him what an honor it was to meet him. He looked at it and said "I imagine that you want me to sign this." He then looked at it and said "I want to find a good spot to sign, so that I don't ruin the artwork." But he said it with such a lilt in his voice, that I had to giggle to myself. But I knew he meant what he said.