Author Topic: Jack Kirby vs Alex Toth: Who's the Real King of Comic Books? (Read 5505 times)

indie-lad · « **on:** June 01, 2013, 02:41:24 AM »

Comic Books are a true American art form that have been produced by some of the greatest creators ever to hold a pencil or paintbrush. While many can be considered geniuses for the sheer amount of brilliance they have created, two names rise above all the others due to the unparalleled influence they possess. Those two titans of the medium are none other than Jack Kirby and Alex Toth. Their work has stretched decades throughout many genres and continue to inspire creators and fans alike. But which one has the right to be called the one true “KING” of comic books? For the first time ever, Jack Kirby and Alex Toth will be analytically broken down and compared head-to-head as we try to discover the truth. Enjoy a comprehensive and fresh look at these two legends in a way that is reminiscent of the superhero excitement that they are so famous for. Hero Envy presents: Jack Kirby vs Alex Toth: The Definitive Write Up on Proving Who's the Real King of Comics!

http://hero-envy.blogspot.com/2013/06/jack-kirby-vs-alex-toth.html

jephrius · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2013, 04:56:14 AM »

There's a new concept. It's called REALITY. You should look into it.

dj181 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2013, 05:18:11 AM »

indie-lad · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2013, 06:40:02 AM »

Sky-Rider of the Spaceways...BANG!!!

Slik · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2013, 07:10:37 AM »

The real questions is Barry Windsor or John Buscema.

indie-lad · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2013, 11:49:44 AM »

Quote from: Slik on June 01, 2013, 07:10:37 AM

The real questions is Barry Windsor or John Buscema.

Nice!! Gotta go with John Buscema...(even though I love them both)

Wiggs · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2013, 12:03:08 PM »

LOL....This is a joke. Of course it's Jack Kirby.

Parker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2013, 12:29:25 PM »

Joe Mad.

indie-lad · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2013, 02:37:18 PM »

Quote from: Wiggs on June 01, 2013, 12:03:08 PM

LOL....This is a joke. Of course it's Jack Kirby.

Wiggs always knew his shit...

Slik · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2013, 02:52:07 PM »

I know purists would crucify me but I always thought Kirby was over rated. I like his stuff and his style was unique. But art is subjective n that's just the way I see it. Sometimes I think it's just the cool thing to say how great Kirby was so everyone jumps on the band wagon.

I have some very old original drawings signed by buscema btw

indie-lad · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2013, 04:10:17 PM »

Quote from: Slik on June 01, 2013, 02:52:07 PM

I know purists would crucify me but I always thought Kirby was over rated. I like his stuff and his style was unique. But art is subjective n that's just the way I see it. Sometimes I think it's just the cool thing to say how great Kirby was so everyone jumps on the band wagon.

I have some very old original drawings signed by buscema btw

Kirby's stuff in the 40's was remarkably influential on later comics; he established a lot of the theories for layout and pacing that became absolutely ubiquitous. In that regard he was instrumental in taking comic books away from their strip roots and toward their own thing. He created the very language of comics, and co-created more characters, concepts and worlds than any creator before or since, Kirby is a comics GOD.

Love Buscema btw, but even he went to Kirby for tips and knowledge on how to make the heroes "pop"! Buscema hated to draw superheroes, Spider-man was his least favorite. He was all about fantasy, that's why he worked on Conan for so many years...

dj181 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2013, 04:19:30 PM »

indie-lad · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2013, 04:50:03 PM »

Quote from: dj181 on June 01, 2013, 04:19:30 PM

Isn't that your physique on stage there?

BTW, did you ever see Nighthawk on the Super Hero Squad Cartoon (second season)? He was voiced by Adam West, and it was pretty awesome.

dj181 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2013, 04:59:07 PM »

Quote from: indie-lad on June 01, 2013, 04:50:03 PM

Isn't that your physique on stage there?

BTW, did you ever see Nighthawk on the Super Hero Squad Cartoon (second season)? He was voiced by Adam West, and it was pretty awesome.

that's my goal man

but i only weigh bout a buck 55 although i am ripped and dry, but to reach nightwhawk status i gotta hit a buck 80 ripped and dry

no man i didn't see it, but i'll see if i can find it on youtube

so what's the story with doing a piece on nighthawk and some of the more obscure characters? or maybe something on the defenders

Kwon_2 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2013, 05:02:01 PM »

Kirby = Legend and the Real King

indie-lad · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2013, 06:42:33 PM »

Amen...

Slik · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2013, 08:38:32 PM »

Quote from: indie-lad on June 01, 2013, 04:10:17 PM

Kirby's stuff in the 40's was remarkably influential on later comics; he established a lot of the theories for layout and pacing that became absolutely ubiquitous. In that regard he was instrumental in taking comic books away from their strip roots and toward their own thing. He created the very language of comics, and co-created more characters, concepts and worlds than any creator before or since, Kirby is a comics GOD.

Love Buscema btw, but even he went to Kirby for tips and knowledge on how to make the heroes "pop"! Buscema hated to draw superheroes, Spider-man was his least favorite. He was all about fantasy, that's why he worked on Conan for so many years...

agreed. I know about his legacy and everything u say is spot on. Art wise he just isn't my fav. I do like his stuff tho.

John buscema n Ernie Chan. A match made by the gods.

indie-lad · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2013, 04:26:43 PM »

Quote from: Slik on June 01, 2013, 08:38:32 PM

agreed. I know about his legacy and everything u say is spot on. Art wise he just isn't my fav. I do like his stuff tho.

John buscema n Ernie Chan. A match made by the gods.

Well, it seems that you really know your stuff.

John Buscema inked by Joe Sinnott (see Fantastic Four #111 and 112 from 1971)

or his brother Sal Buscema (see Silver Surfer #4 from 1969) is simply amazing and timeless stuff.

I always liked Ernie Chans inks over Sal rather than John. Sal and Ernie's Hulk stuff from the late 70's is comic gold...

Slik · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2013, 12:05:51 AM »

Quote from: indie-lad on June 02, 2013, 04:26:43 PM

Well, it seems that you really know your stuff.

John Buscema inked by Joe Sinnott (see Fantastic Four #111 and 112 from 1971)

or his brother Sal Buscema (see Silver Surfer #4 from 1969) is simply amazing and timeless stuff.

I always liked Ernie Chans inks over Sal rather than John. Sal and Ernie's Hulk stuff from the late 70's is comic gold...

yup. Got a lot of hulks done by Sal back in the day. Even have the first appearance of wolverine where hulk is fighting wendigo. It's not mint but not bad either. I actually read my comics. I was in to Thor, Conan, Hulk, FF, but bought a mixture of everything. Even the old gene colan draculas. Still have them all and the first appearance of blade. Sal was good but something about johns work just clicked w me. Have all the savage swords and the conan the barbarian comics from number ones to when I stopped collecting. Gonna try n hit Columbus wizard con in sept.

Skeletor · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2013, 12:37:13 AM »

John Buscema/Ernie Chan are the best imho.

I may be somewhat limited in my scope here because I focus mostly on the Conan and SnS comics but I would also like to mention Enrique Alcatena, amazing detail in his designs.

indie-lad · « **Reply #20 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:34:15 AM »

Ernie Chan was a great inker, some creators have said that sometimes his lines overpowered their work (I can see that) but he really meshed well with the Buscema brothers.

Seven Copper Coins · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2013, 03:35:41 AM »

Quote from: indie-lad on June 03, 2013, 02:34:15 AM

Ernie Chan was a great inker, some creators have said that sometimes his lines overpowered their work (I can see that) but he really meshed well with the Buscema brothers.

When i was a kid, and learning how to draw I loved Ernie Chan, because he "drew" everything and his work was very dense.

As my own style matured I got into artists who were more into value and composition, perspective...etc. And it was as much as what they didn't draw as what they did...more effective use of light and subtle shading. Not drawing in every line.

indie-lad · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2013, 09:04:11 AM »

Well said...

sync pulse · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2013, 09:10:05 AM »

Carl Barks...

SilverSpoon · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2013, 09:13:41 AM »

Doug Mahnke rules.