Dynamite Entertainment released the 0 issue of its much-vaunted Kirby Genesis series last week, providing the first real look at what the execs at DE promise will showcase lesser known character created by the legendary Jack Kirby.
If you don’t have at least a passing idea of who Kirby was… Well, it’s pretty hard to imagine anyone who reads comic books that hasn’t at least heard the man’s name. He’s one of the most important people in the industry, right up there with Stan Lee or Julius Schwartz. (I’ll let the super-geeks debate on who ranks where.)
The "King" himself!
Anyway, here’s a really, REALLY short and inadequate summary of the man also known as the “King.” Jack Kirby was an American comic book artist, writer, and editor. During his storied career, he contributed to Archie Comics, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics. Alongside Stan Lee, he created most of Marvel’s most successful characters and series, including the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, and Spider-Man (there’s been some debate over who deserves more credit on Spidey). He passed away at the age of 76 in 1994.
Over the course of his career, Kirby created a number of characters and concepts outside the big name publishers. Some of them saw the light of day at Pacific Comics and Topps, while others were only glimpsed in posthumous collections of his work.
Many of today’s most notable writers and artists cite Kirby as a major source of inspiration, and that includes his more obscure creations outside the hallowed halls of DC and Marvel. DE’s Kirby Genesis attempts to merge the King’s fractured worlds and creations into a single universe.
So now, with all that out of the way, how does this first taste of the new Genesis stack up? Is it worth buying? Does it promise great things to come?
Well, to be honest… I wasn’t too impressed.
Like this image? You won't find it in this issue
I felt kind of guilty about that. I mean, despite my last review, I honestly prefer to be positive. I much prefer gushing over what I think is a great story rather than ripping on one I think stinks. After all, there’s already plenty of negativity on the internet. I’d rather not add to it.
But alas…
Kirby Genesis is the brainchild of comic juggernauts Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. Busiek is listed as the main writer, while Ross is assisted with the artwork by Jack Herbert. These are men with some pretty impressive resumes. Ross’ artwork (Kingdom Come) is already legendary, and Busiek’s contributions (Superman: Secret Identity) are equally impressive, if somewhat less recognized by the public at large. These are no slouches. These are men who know comics, know superheroes, and know good story-telling. And they’re utilizing characters created by the “King” himself. With a formula like that, this should’ve been a tale of orgasmic proportions.
Unfortunately, it just…wasn’t.
You deserved better, Jack
Here’s the story so far. In 1972, the Pioneer 10 satellite was launched to fly past Jupiter. It was fitted with a plaque, in case anyone in deep space ever found it, so as to be a first contact for humanity. The plaque shoes the way to Earth. Kirby Genesis #0 is about what happens to the satellite and the attention it draws.
I’d offer a spoiler alert, but honestly, this issue offers only the barest of glimpses of what’s to come. We see what looks like a barbarian-esque world with women valkyrie warriors, the makings of a space battle among intergalactic commandoes, and a group of beings reminiscent of DC’s New Gods or Marvel’s Eternals.
That’s really about it, so far as the story goes. But to be fair, this is just meant to be a taste, leaving the reader wanting more. The problem is, in my particular case, it just doesn’t succeed. I’m not all that interested in these female warriors. After all, we’ve already had plenty of badass women in comics (Red Sonja, anyone?) And intergalactic soldiers? Been there, done that. Two or three times over. And we already have cosmic deities aplenty in the mainstream comics.
You've probably seen us before. Like, a LOT...
Of course, it’s pretty hard to generate a new concept these days. I think I once heard it was about a million to one, and I think that was being generous. The key is to take an old concept and offer a new twist, and unfortunately, Kirby Genesis doesn’t seem to do that. These characters are just Red Sonja, Flash Gordon, and the New Gods with different names and costumes.
As a result, the whole thing feels like an glorified attempt to cash in on Kirby’s name one last time. After all, were these characters the imaginative products of, say, Joe Schmoe (or ME), they’d never see the time of day. If they were marketable, it’d be THEIR names in the title, rather than their creator’s.
Now, the artwork. Given the INCREDIBLE amount of talent it takes to draw comics, I don’t like criticizing art. However, while this issue’s art isn’t BAD, it’s hardly great, either. With a name like Alex Ross involved, it’s kind of hard not to expect greatness, but these panels are just painfully average. The pictures are all pretty dull and flat. Again, nothing that effectively grabs me by the eyeballs and won’t let go.
Wow, that's cool! Why weren't the other pages this awesome?
But despite all that, is Kirby Genesis #0 worth buying? Well, it’s only $1, hardly a major investment. When picking up your usual titles, if it’s available, you might just tack on an extra buck and give it a go. After all, who knows? Maybe it’ll lead to something great?
I still plan to pick up the first official issue of Kirby Genesis, but if it doesn’t command my attention by at least the second issue I’m quitting. (Hell, I might just not bother if the first one lets me down.)
Anyway… Kirby Genesis #0 gets 1 star. Just a really lackluster debut for something that’s had so much press leading in.
Matt Schorr (aka The Lone Coyote) is a writer/filmmaker with one novel and several independent film projects to his credit. You can find out more about him at www.lonecoyoteproductions.com.