Hand of fire (University Press of Mississippi)

This is the first critical exploration of the work of one of the most influential and highly respected comics creators in the world. Jack Kirby (1917-1994) is one of the most influential and popular artists in comics history. With Stan Lee, he created the "Fantastic Four" and defined the drawing and narrative style of Marvel Comics from the 1960s to the present. He is credited with creating or co-creating a number of Marvel's mainstay properties, including the "X-Men", "Hulk", "Thor", and the "Silver Surfer". Kirby's distinctive narrative drawing, use of bold abstraction, and creation of angst-ridden and morally flawed heroes mark him as one of the most influential mainstream creators in comics. This volume analyzes the development of Kirby's cartooning technique, his use of dynamic composition, the recurring themes and moral ambiguities in his work, his eventual split from Lee, and his later work as a solo artist.