How Jack Kirby's Religion Influenced His Art

[@robertryancory]

Regarding PTSD, I never met Kirby but worked with a few people who met him at a party hosted by Bob Clampett sometime before the mid 80’s. From all the accounts I’ve heard when surrounded by a room full of other artists and admirers he spent the whole night talking about his time in the army. He was asked several times about his time at Marvel, how he worked, but always brought it back to a war some 40 years prior. It seems like it was something he never stopped thinking about.

[@caligulapontifex5759]

The Battle of the Bulge was pretty horrific. The allied soldiers believed for the most part that the Germans were defeated and the war was nearly over just before the massive German counter attack. The fighting was intense and comparable to any battles the marines were fighting over in the Pacific during their island hopping campaigns. The main difference of course was it was the middle of winter and the cold weather caused as many casualties and losses as the actual fighting. It lasted for over a month. I have no doubt it was a traumatic experience for Kirby and many of his fellow soldiers.

[@yatz57]

I took part in a war 38 years ago; I was away from home for 3 weeks and it was like a walk in the park compared to what Kirby went through - but it still fucked me up for life. 38 years on. I still can't talk about the things I saw without breaking down. So, yeah - that story tracks. At least Kirby - like my dad - fought a war against the most evil entity in human history; I went to war because one politician had a cunning plan for solving a century-old, very complicated dispute by having a "quicky" war...

[@caligulapontifex5759]

@@yatz57 1982 Lebanon War? My dad was shot in the Yom Kippur War of 73 on the Sinai Front under General Sharon, my uncle was in a tank on the Golan against the Syrians. Both don't talk about it, but as a kid I could hear my Dad screaming in his sleep about what he experienced.

[@jrpipik]

I wrote a reply about how wrong it was to diagnose Kirby with PTSD from afar, but turns out I was wrong. Mark Evanier's biography talks about Kirby's struggles with nightmares and flashbacks. So... never mind.

[@johnminehan1148]

Ever read New Gods # 7? The end with Izatah the Inheritor asking, "Where is Izayah?" is one of the ebst artistic depictions of PTSD.

[@randalldowling1068]

Abraham means "Highfather" in Hebrew. Highfather is the leader of New Genesis in the New Gods.

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

_"If you think a man draws the types of hands that you want to draw, steal 'em. Take those hands."_ *~ Jack Kirby*

[@Geck0GC]

Guess I'll steal Jack's hands then

[@kevingriffith6011]

I mean part of growing as an artist is seeing what you struggle with and learning how other artists get around it... then stealing their solution.

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

@@kevingriffith6011 Yeah. That's like trying to copy off someone's style to make your own style.

[@kevingriffith6011]

@@poweroffriendship2.0 That's why you don't just copy from one source. You take what you like and make it your own, adapt it and mix it with other things. If what you know doesn't mix, work with something else. Artists being less blunt call that "having influences"

[@danielfigueroa4958]

Theres a video Nerdsync did about Steve Ditkos way of drawing hands that I found fascinating. I even drew a single hand once for fun and ended up using it as an album cover. I never knew Kirby said this, but reading it now after having watched this video has me in a tizzy. Maybe its just late. Maybe its the weed. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@joelroom5499]

Kirbys God illustrations are fascinating

[@k1ngk4gl3]

This entire topic is extremely interesting. I was not ready.

[@henriquebitencourt4280]

Imagine if he drawed angels and demons?

[@davidhanson4909]

@@henriquebitencourt4280 He did. They're very "Kirby-esque". (See my other reply about the portfolio) As I said, Jacob's wrestling angel looks like a Celestial, but also the "horn" Joshua blows at the walls of Jehrico looks like it was manufactured on Apokalips.

[@johcowshit]

the second image looks like a brain right? like besides the amalgam of detail i definitely see the shape of a human brain (12:17) i think what he said about free will was pretty spot on looking at it closely.

[@JoseMunoz-pq6ok]

Si there any were prints of these art Pagés to Buy?

[@loganchase8137]

Has anyone noticed that chris' script writing has gotten way better. This feels so well researched and written

[@reprintranch]

Regarding the fundamental point you make at 13:54 about Kirby using his art to show that good will triumph over evil -- I agree for the most part, but I think the basic message in Kirby's super-hero work was "good CAN triumph over evil, but there's no guarantee it will happen, which is why you have to fight for good with every fiber of your being."

[@k1ngk4gl3]

Oh man... This is a topic you need to return to in the future. I need an hour long deep dive into this.

[@danielfigueroa4958]

I second that.

[@blheron]

I was privileged to meet Jack on several occasions in the 1970's. He was an incredibly kind man. He painted a Thor character on a leg cast I wore for an unfortunate time in my life, right above a checkered demon drawn by S. Clay Wilson. Always regretted throwing that cast away. Oh well.

[@AL-ws5yi]

Jack Kirby was one of a kind. This is a different way of looking at Kirby’s work. Good video.

[@eldritchpumpkinghost2968]

Kunoros Hound of Athreos who hurt you lmao?

[@89Dustdevil]

Don’t feel self conscious about using your opinions in this regard. Literary critics have been doing it for decades. I’m just happy to see people analyzing comics in this way and not purely talking about the merits of the plots, writing, art etc.

[@richardsreviews8820]

Agree. I love seeing these types of videos analyzing comics in this much depth.

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

True. I really enjoy hearing people's opinions with an open mind. That's why I enjoy critic channels. The only problem comes when people fail to tell apart their subjective opinions from objective facts, and try to pass them as indisputable, or even worse, is when the audience themselves fail to make that distinction and blindly agree, or attack a subjective opinion.

[@ErnieLG]

A lot of Jews came to question their race/culture/religion in the wake up the Holocaust, in regards to the pride/valor in having a cultural identity and being "the chosen people" yet their god permitting such horrible tribulations. Made me think of Kirby's themes of gods neglecting their people and people turning away from their gods. And like you said, critical analysis of religion is part of Judaism, and you have to come to your own conclusions about the idea that their "god" is an essence whose nature is really unknowable. But it seems like Kirby was really just a fan of epic stories of all kinds. It would be interesting to talk to Kirby about these things!

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Absolutely. It would have been incredible to have a talk with Jack himself. But I think it would have been too personal for him to talk about his beliefs, especially taking into account the experiences he had that formed those beliefs.

[@thewkovacs316]

if that is the case, then both they and you misunderstand what it means to be "the chosen people" it simply means chosen to keep the laws of the torah as for gods neglecting their people and people turning from their gods...gaiman expounded on this in american gods this was a new world and people left those gods in the old world in exchange for new gods get it?

[@ErnieLG]

We have no idea what Kirby thought/felt. It's just speculation. It sounds like you don't understand this. It sounds like you're saying you know what Kirby's views were. I don't think that's the case. We're discussing someone who is a hero to many, not your personal takes on Judaism (unless you're saying that you've surveyed 100% of WWII vet Jewish comic pros, and even if you did, we're not discussing other people, we're discussing a specific individual who you don't know). You should be gracious enough to allow others, including those who have passed, to feel and think what they like.

[@MarkLipka]

*in regard [Submitted with all due respect because WORDS MATTER] 😊

[@mikedestazador5116]

A truly amazing vídeo, young people sayimg that they cannot see the genious of the king because his work might be dated just have to see this vídeo, Jack Kirby's work is not only not dated but still to this day ahead of his time and of our time for the matter, what a Master

[@陳潔明-w6y]

His versatility is undersold...

[@timothybarnett1006]

Children get him, and adults too, it's teenagers that don't see it, there's a need to reject the conventions of the status quo in favour of something new - the Image founders high level of detail/lines on the page vs Kirby's simpler approach (simplicity is never synonymous with easy) tapped into that rebellious streak for example. Personally speaking he was in the background and appreciated his work but didn't love it until my late 20s and I read the b&w Fourth World collections DC put out in the nineties, _Forever People_ 4 is now one of my favourite single issues ever.

[@mikedestazador5116]

@@timothybarnett1006 I hadnt notice that is teenagers the only demographic not getting him ,You' Re right, how i love his so called "simplicity" that doesnt have anything of simple, just like Mignola un our days so influenced by him, only as they become true Masters they really can make it "simple" yet at the same time far.more conmplicated than the "image guys" as You said

[@mikedestazador5116]

@@陳潔明-w6y way undersold indeed

[@luismangiaterra1031]

@@mikedestazador5116 the image guys just do a lot of decorating over stick figures, basically their not really drawing anything at all. They just wanna do pin ups and make money. All they care about is the money.

[@jeffreyroberts4156]

Don't forget his creation of The Watcher (Uatu) was probably taken from the book of Enoch (a psuedapigrapha book) where chapters 6-36 was commonly called the Book of the Watchers. 200 angels came down and mated with earthly women to create the Nephelim who were the Giants of old (Genesis 6:1-4).

[@davidhanson4909]

I actually have that portfolio set those art pieces are from. They're amazingly beautiful. There are actually two more in the series, Jacob Wrestling the Angel and Joshua at the Walls of Jehrico which are more classicly Kirby-esque. The Angel looks like a Celestial. The interpretation of the first tryptich seems pretty straightforward to me: God creates, God observes his creation (and the chaos it's wrought), God nope's out. I've always considered superheroes, at least the classic ones, as sort-of Jewish by default, simply because so many of their creators are Jewish. Jack, Stan, Jerry and Joe, Will, and on and on. Even if most of them look extremely WASPy.

[@caligulapontifex5759]

I agree. The inspiration for these characters did not come from a vacuum. It's a modern take on old testament stories.

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

Is ditko?

[@davidhanson4909]

@@nunyafuckinbizniz No, I don't believe he was.

[@luismangiaterra1031]

@@caligulapontifex5759 Kirby said in a interview that he uses some of the stories in the bible, but I don't think he wanted you to confuse it with any religion, it's far away from the bible that you can't say that it's religious, it's just for entertainment.

[@NickPiers]

This is seriously great stuff. I love the part where you discuss Kirby's runs on Thor, New Gods, and Eternals as a thematic trilogy. This might be your best episode to date.

[@officialgoogleyoutube]

In the second God piece, I imagine the ball of chaos has something to do with humanity, or humanity's evils. The first thing I noticed in it was the big bayonet coming out of a chest and impaling a head, maybe something closely tied to Kirby's wartime experiences. There's also a pair of sexy legs sticking out, but the rest of it is incomprehensible to me. My interpretation is based on those few elements I can distinguish.

[@reprintranch]

I agree, and I think it's worth noting that in 1970 -- the same year Kirby drew these pieces -- the singing group The Temptations had a big hit with a song called "Ball of Confusion," which lamented the state of the world. I wonder if Kirby was inspired by the song.

[@0801Steve]

To me, the bayonet looks like it's coming from the crotch. Possibly a comment on masculinity and violence?

[@johnstamos5948]

God being separate from sin, yeah

[@silentgamer2841]

A close relative of mine actually worked with Kirby on Young Romance, and while it's definitely not what Kirby's most known for (rightfully so), it's still nice to see that and other, lesser-known work acknowledged. Love these in-depth videos you've done on Kirby, he's definitely one of, if not the, greatest comics artists of all time.

[@davidbarr8698]

Thank you so much in acknowledging Jack Kirby and Judaism, I feel sometimes that the Judaism of the founding fathers of American comics artists and writers is often overlooked whilst their Heritage played an integral role in comics.

[@caligulapontifex5759]

It's a great irony. For the most part, Jews were not hired in mainstream publishing and resorted to pulps and comics to earn a living, especially during the Depression. In the process, from those humble roots, these talented individuals created a new publishing business that evolved into today's mulitmedia entities that are worth billions.

[@davidbarr8698]

@@caligulapontifex5759 You are so right! And I feel overlooked sometimes!

[@allenlovell1604]

I've met many veterans from various wars. The most fascinating and interesting ones are those who were actually in WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Having worked with veterans, I met a guy named Frank, and his father or grandfather was forced by the Nazis to help clean up Dresden after it was firebombed. His Dad or grandpa saw human beings as reduced to ashes and more horrors that plagued him for years after the war ended. As Jack served during the Battle of The Bulge, I can only imagine what he experienced ; I've met frostbite survivors from the Bulge and Frozen Chosin from the Korean War. I listened mostly to their stories, and they were heroic and harrowing at the same time.

[@Mr_Knight_87]

Glad to see you're still doing this series

[@MiniMight]

Hands down the most underrated comic channel

[@EdKauffmann]

always loved that for Kirby, the inverse of life (Anti-Life) wasn't death but instead a state of being without free-will - a total self-annihilation brought on by a desire to not think or feel or be responsible for your own morality. As Glorious Godfrey puts it, "LIFE MAKES YOU DOUBT! ANTI-LIFE MAKES YOU RIGHT!"

[@RoberSoul77]

He was also clearly influenced by the "ancient extraterrestrial visitations" theories that Gods were really aliens, very popular in the 60s-70s. The Eternals is clearly influenced by the works of Daniken or Zitchin.

[@caligulapontifex5759]

100% Agree. Coincidentally, I'm in the process of reading Kirby's Eternals run and it's screaming the influence of Chariots of the Gods.

[@RoberSoul77]

@@caligulapontifex5759 Absolutely. "The Gods are returning"

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

You are the BEST comicbook KZbin channel ever!

[@timothybarnett1006]

_Hand of Fire: The Comic Art of Jack Kirby_ book by Charles Hatfield is another resource on Kirby's art and his influences I'd recommend.

[@tentringer4065]

Kirby may have been also been influenced by William Blake's the Book of Urizen which included a group of godlike beings called 'the Eternals'

[@LucasSampaioMaia]

I felt strong Blake vibes in the three drawnings of god

[@christianmartinez774]

You might be right, it does remind me a lot on Blake's depictions of God.

[@Rechargerator]

That is an interesting point, I have never connected the two but there are many interesting parallels. Never saw that before, and I did buy "New Gods 1" off the newsstand.

[@cmot01]

Yeah, I've been pondering the Kirby/Blake connection for many years. I'm sure fans have written about it. Worth researching...

[@LucasSampaioMaia]

@@cmot01 Both strived to create new myths... I think we're on to something here

[@rdg1065]

Chris your content is just so incredible. Reflecs how intelligent you are brother

[@jessewilley531]

According to a Comics Journal interview first published in February 1991, Kirby was Conservative Jewish.

[@mamaclown]

Oh boy thanks for the suggestions I'm excited to pick up some extra perspective on his perspective context is essential since everyone who has ever lived was pretty complicated :D

[@allenson3553]

I would have loved to see Jack Kirby's adaptation of The Lord of Light come to fruition. Just looking at the prints he made before that movie adaptation was cancelled, you can see that he easily depicts the world and the characters in that story perfectly.

[@davidhanson4909]

Yeah, that story was right in his wheelhouse. In an alternate reality a Zelazny/Kirby collaboration is their Star Wars.

[@PassiveNights]

@@davidhanson4909 yah, i can't imagine how amazing that would be

[@thomasalexanian927]

I honestly misread it as Lord of the Rings

[@ronitabick961]

Thank you for this video! As a rabbi and comics lover, I found it particularly interesting. It seems to me though that the lens of 'faith' is probably not the right one when looking at Jews and Jewish identity. Being Jewish is not just a faith, but a culture, a people, a family. Judaism meant a lot to Kirby, obviously, but I'm not sure I recognise Jewish beliefs, per se, in his artwork depicting God. An interesting article suggests that the mother boxes are related to Tefillin, which is a great idea. www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/jewcy-kirby Thank you again for bringing this up!

[@ComicTropes]

Yes, there are cultural aspects and religious aspects I wouldn’t know where to begin. I asked around for a comic loving Rabbi but it wasn’t to be. So instead I posited some ideas and I’m happy for someone more educated to build on that.

[@ronitabick961]

@@ComicTropes Totally fair. I know you don't know me, but I'd be happy to help in future. I've written about God in comics - mythicwriting.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-bricks-of-heaven-mishpatim-torah.html - and on the Golem in pop culture www.thejc.com/from-mud-to-mayhem-1.439999 Always happy to help, and I love your content.

[@yehudadavis3235]

Orthodox Jew here! Besides for a few tiny nitpicks (the first word of Ein Sof is pronounced like gain, without the g), your five-minute explanation of different Jewish themes was great! I would say also that Orthodox Jews also believe in questioning God, despite His transcendence, all-knowing and "always right" nature. Most of our Jewish law books are about questioning God and the commandments He gives us, and the communities I've been in pride themselves in having no question be off the table for being "too taboo" or possibly heretical (there's this vibe of "we want to find out the truth, and since we believe we got it right, we're not afraid of a question that could possibly stump us and unravel our entire belief system"). However, I understand you wanted to make a distinction between the Orthodox and the Conservative communities. This was a very informative video! I never knew this about Jack Kirby, and your "speculation" as you call it really makes sense. I look forward to rereading my old Kirby comics with a deeper understanding of where the artist was coming from. Thanks again, Chris!

[@56postoffice]

Very iconic. I used to buy Thor comics in the late 80s when it was drawn by Ron Frenz. I saw his style was similar to Kirby, like it was a tribute to the great man. And to make it better, his art was inked by the recently departed Joe Sinnott.

[@Tiny15891]

I know this is an old video but you did a fantastic job, this is the most interesting video I've ever on any comic creator

[@CavemanBatman]

Before I start, I just wanted to say what a great topic for a video this is. Kirby always said “I went to the bible and I came up with Galactus”. All these characters he created (or co-created, according to those Stan Lee diehards) came from his Jewish faith, especially the whole Fourth World saga

[@AYYYLMAOOOOO]

I’d say he created all these characters by himself. There’s a vid on KZbin with Alan Moore discussing his experience with Stan Lee and how he thinks he these characters are solely jack kirbys.

[@CavemanBatman]

@@AYYYLMAOOOOO you’re totally right, but I’d recommend doing some more research into it. That Alan Moore clip is right, but he wasn’t there and doesn’t know how anything went down. Moore was only speaking his mind. I’d actually recommend reading “Marvel Comics: The Untold Story” or “True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee” those books give a fascinating insight into how little Stan Lee actually did

[@AYYYLMAOOOOO]

@@CavemanBatman I will check those out bro. Btw nice profile pic.

[@Moodboard39]

@@CavemanBatman what a shame

[@tedrohe9048]

It's crazy that you just came out on this as I had recently just found out and was talking to a friend about the Kirby Dark Horse prints that I'm sad I don't own and curious about his faith in general in that discussion and then this came out. Perfect!! I really appreciate your channel and this video. Keep up the great work!!

[@JoeBauers]

Fantastic work, my friend. What a resource this channel is. You deserve more exposure for providing such rigorous and thoughtful material- I also appreciate that you present the comic panels in high resolution, letting us admire the images, color, and composition as they were intended.

[@deepvoodoo]

My dad was never a huge fan of Kirby. He knew who he was and appreciated his impact but wasn’t big on his style. But I watched this video on him and he found it fascinating, especially since he didn’t know he fought in the war. One of your best videos.

[@tartanphantom]

I've been watching your channel almost from the beginning, Chris. This is one of your best episodes ever. Thank you.

[@majorchaotic5544]

15:05 Hey that’s me!!!! Thx for showing it.

[@NikkiDrawsStuff]

It sure is babe! Proud of ya! Who knew your art could gone this far!!! Love Nikki.

[@NerdonFilm]

I love your videos. I thought I knew comics, but you dig into stuff I never even thought I needed to know. Kirby’s art is so unique. Those God illustrations are haunting.

[@adamderosa9142]

Probably my favorite episode yet, Chris. You're a true master. Also, 2001 is my favorite Kirby as well.

[@OomaGooma]

I haven’t seen 2001 A Space Odyssey or read Kirby’s adaptation. I need to get started on that. Anyway, I still found the video interesting and informative. Best channel on KZbin with the most genuine and sincere host. You rock, Chris!!!

[@claudegarmon2958]

consider yourself lucky. Do watch 2001 A Space Odyssey! Then read the Sentinel by A.C. Clark so you can see how little the movie was based on it. Then read Kirby's adaptations. They are pretty darn groovy. Then? Read Destination Void by Frank Herbert, the author of Dune. You will see there where Kubrick culled his meditations on artificial consciousness and indeed consciousness itself. It will be a revelation. And then? Read Chariot of the Gods. And you will have it all, this side of the borderlands of the antarctic ice wall of the imagination.

[@OomaGooma]

Claude Garmon - Thanks for the recommendations. 👍🏻

[@andresanguianozuniga6798]

I never though Thor, New Gods And Eternals where like a "Faith Trilogy" to Jack Kirby... TOTALLY AWESOME. This was One of my favorite videos of your Channel.

[@Nathaniel-Morris-PT]

I cant wait for this channel to get to 1 million, been here since 40k. Best comic book content. The bigger KZbinrs could learn a lot from Chris

[@chevy-is-a-good-boy]

I think Kirby ultimately believed in a higher power, but couldn't make sense of it all, due to the shortcomings of religion. His work appears to be his grappling with spirituality & a search for truth. Either that, or he was simply happy to lift stories & concepts from the Bible and the history contained therein. Another stellar upload.

[@陳潔明-w6y]

What's interesting that his notion of higher powers isn't always a benevolent one. The Celestials were legitimately the gods that created everything, the universes, stars, planets, and mortals, but they are also genocidal in their approaches to their creations, viewing them as lab rats. And then there's Galactus, a god of destruction who's essential to the stability of reality; yet his presence marks the death of trillions, and he doesn't care

[@Moodboard39]

He was using unconscious mind... Psychology of Carl Jung

[@danielfigueroa4958]

This particular subject has fascinated me since my college days. I almost switched majors because of it. Thank you for making this video. Well done and well disposed. Also, if anyone on the comments thread can point me in the direction of some more Kirby/compartive religion videos I would be really grateful.

[@keithhunt8]

Cool. Yea, when I was looking for inspiration to design alien demons in a story that I have been working on, on and off, forever, I settled on Central and South American Native American mythological and various cultural designs.

[@muder0989]

I love Jack kirby. His art inspired me to dream and hold on to my imagination even as a 30 year old man. His idea of god is interesting and makes me want to own a copy of all three. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video

[@Ryan6586]

I have been watching your channel for a while and just wanted to say this is a great channel. I love the depth of your love and knowledge of comics. Keep it up, there's nothing like kicking back to relax and watching your videos.

[@mediumjohnsilver]

One thing always bothered me about Kirby’s depiction of the monolith in 2001. Kirby shows its face to look like a golden ratio rectangle. Arthur C. Clarke established that its dimensions were precisely 1 by 4 by 9 - that is, 1 squared by 2 squared by 3 squared, with implications that it could extend to higher dimensions.

[@ianbyrne465]

Hey Chris, I know this might seem rude, but I have an idea for a video. There's a Filipino comic called Trese, written by Budjette Tan. It's a really cool story, and it's getting a netflix adaptation sometime next year. More presently, in October, it will be getting a world release, so it will be coming to the states. It seems like something you might like, at least for a cool topic for a video. The Asian comic market doesn't get much love in the west (unless it's Japan) so this might be a good opportunity to make discuss some foreign comics! EDIT: spelling

[@cray-seacoral]

I was today years old when I learned that only the god-like or aspiring god-like characters in Marvel had capes. That really just- 👀

[@yojcpie6199]

These are my absolute favorites kind of your videos. In depth look into the artwork of an artist and a look into their mindset

[@wonderwaffle93]

Very informative video on one of the greats. His art even to this day still feels way ahead of its time.

[@omegabeyond5390]

Thanks for being so respectful of a persons faith and being willing to dive into the extreme complexity and depth of someone’s religion. Great stuff!

[@DrGrizzley]

This was a great video! The Mesoamerica ties to Kirbys work isn't something I'd noticed before. One was c your better videos! Interesting stuff!

[@broomhilder]

I’m completely new to the channel , so I gotta say that little bit where you showed off fan art submissions was very touching. It was so neat seeing everybody’s interpretations of an animated *you*!

[@Dougeb7]

I always enjoy content that analyzes the ideas that influence and drive popular fiction, whether movies, books, or comics. That's the level most writers and artists hope we reach in appreciating their work. Great job!

[@en6853]

Kirby will always be one of my favorite artists. I had a graphic novel of the original avengers run and fantastic four. Such wonderful pages. He’s always great. And his sketches are gorgeous

[@galruchin6463]

An interesting addition regarding Jack Kirby's drawings of God. A lot of jewish sects forbid trying to depict God in any kind of art since to them it goes against one of the ten commandments which dictates not to make any sort of physical object of worship that is alternative to the worship of God, meaning that any objects of that nature are considered as Idolatry.

[@nightbringer99]

I just wanted to say I absolutely love your videos! Not only do I find them entertaining, but they've actually helped me in researching for a final paper I've been writing for University (on how changes in superhero film adaptations followed the same patterns as in comics). You have been fully credited of course!

[@mackspowah3281]

I was listening to Rob Liefeld's podcast and he mentioned visiting Kirby's home and seeing the picture of God. He said it made quite an impression on him as Rob is the son of a minister

[@briank7696]

Another terrific video. This is my favorite channel. You always put so much effort into your work. Thanks.

[@ErwinPapa]

Can't get enough of Kirby! Also, I'm in total awe of Freddy Mamani's architecture..!

[@KalleVilenius]

The 2001 series Kirby did after the movie adaptation is some of his most interesting work, but due to those dang copyright issues there's no way they'll be reprinting it.

[@DarrenJSeeley]

at least we got Machine Man...

[@purerasslin91]

Major props for covering this topic. I love this kind of stuff. I think a lot of the best art comes from a spiritual place in one form or another.

[@MariaVosa]

This was a truly fascinating look at a fascinating creator. Thank you.

[@Anthro006]

Outstanding work on this one!!! Nicely done and great research and contextualization!

[@papershark]

This is great... but I think that you missed a trick not drawing a comparison to William Blake on these religions and visionary illustrations.

[@PassiveNights]

yeah, that's a great point. I've been reading El Sandifer's Last War in Albion blog, and she loves to talk about Blake's influence on Alan Moore

[@DAGDRUM53]

The drawing at 15:15 is a masterpiece. Chris, thanks for making me aware of Freddy Mamani's work.

[@oorcinus]

The three god illustrations are meant to be taken as a sequence. Creation of life, life going its own way with the god watching, life going astray with god abandoning it. I thought that’d be kinda obvious (and is a fairly common motif).

[@towermoss]

This channel has some of, if not THE, best comic-based content on KZbin.

[@LaurenceFerguson1]

Thoroughly enjoyed your take on this. Great approach. Unique train of thought. Definitely the kind of conversation I would like to have with other comic fans. When you brought up "The New Gods" and Old Gods I could not help but find myself drawing parallels with Neil Gaiman's "American Gods". You could definitely go down a rabbit hole with this. Universes, cosmology, influences, etc. whew...

[@bbbabrock]

Great. I am grateful to get this vid, especially as we didn't get our regular Sunday vid.

[@RighteousBrother]

Kirby's work speaks so far ahead of the game its still influencing movies, TV, video games, comics etc now and will continue to do so. A friend of mine actually owns a piece of Kirbys original artwork from 2001. It's the full page of one of the astronauts (Bownan?) in freefall in the airlock, m y friend only lives a few streets from me. Sometimes as I lay awake in the dead of night I think I can hear a low hum of energy emanating from it, like the ark of the covenant.

A fascinating analysis and I second your recommendation of the Jack Kirby Collector which digs in deep about his life, Art, storytelling, career, history in comics, etc. It is an indispensable asset to anyone wanting to know everything about Jack Kirby’s work for Marvel & DC and beyond... 🤔😋👍✌️

[@brianewing5530]

What a brilliant ep! You killed it, Chris!

[@realdealeddiefreels4818]

I just discovered your channel recently and I really enjoy learning all this stuff I never knew. During this pandemic I've been marking out on comics real hard

[@coopersheridan73]

Great video! I always thought it was fascinating how much theology played into his work, and I’m happy to see a Comics Tropes video dedicated to it!

[@SmokeyCronie666]

Hands down my favorite episode...x-cept for the Chris Claremont episode where you took shots of tequila (I think?...maybe it was jäger) per each trope...you brave brave man. I love the history in this episode and exploring artists behind the panels. Great work!

[@guynarcomey4205]

love this!! Great take!! I agree, i haven't really hard anyone hit on how his time in the army and religion motivated his work, obvious by why no one really talked about it, something motivates all of us

[@jonmayhew4468]

14:17 at first I thought this was fan art as you as Femto! Please do an episode on Berserk Chris🙌

[@MrManny9494]

Hey there, as someone who grew up in a very observant Jewish household but no longer practices, I’d like to say I’m really impressed with the work you put into approaching this topic. I’m not here to nitpick about little things, and for the most part you gave a really great (albeit brief ) overview of the elements you discussed. What I do want to do, is offer a suggestion for future episodes that seek to provide cultural context or meaning to a body of work: cite your sources as you make your statements. I appreciate the disclaimer at the front of the video, but when you talk about these topics (like what is Orthodox Judaism), it comes across as “here is what this thing is” rather than “here’s what I understand it to be”. A brief aside explaining where you got your understanding from, or a citation in the corner of the video goes a long way to making assumptions (whether yours, or the source you use) transparent, as well as let those interested in learning more know where to start. Also mentioning something like talking to Rabbis or regular Jews about a particular topic goes a long way because it can provide an insightful and credible perspective on lived experience, which is especially important when talking about the way religion influenced someone’s art. Anyways, great video, can’t wait to see the next one!

[@richardscranton4159]

The shot in 2001 of the bone transition isn't of a space station, it's actually a nuclear bomb. So it goes from weapon to another.

[@taviscaron4192]

So so glad to see you back at it brother! Great video my man!

[@Dirty_Davos]

Aaaaw yoooou, how you teased us about it in the last episode 😂☺ i was already thinking about asking you to tell us about that 2001 comic in the background cuz i love the kubrick movie 😊 really just felt like you'd read my mind 😂😅

[@ivane5110]

Very insightful. It adds yet another layer to King Kirby's work for me. Thank you.

[@geinikan1kan]

Excellent piece. I was just thinking of this theme while watching "Avengers: Infinity War" this week! Starlin's Thanos shares some space with Kirby's Darkseid of course. Starlin took up the cosmic superhero genre that was begin by Lee and Kirby with characters like Galactus. The cosmic superhero was so obviously playing with concepts of God. The same went for Kirby's Thor. Your take on Kirby's characters is really interesting. I remember when Kirby's 2001 adaptation came out. There was no mistaking it, Kirby retold the story adding layers and implications that do not appear as clearly (Or Kirby-ly?) in the film. Reading Kirby's adaptation didn't feel like reading a comic book version, it felt like reading a new version, updated and re-dramatized. My God the images! Kirby could make four color comics wit thousands of hues and shades of meaning. Man that was a book. Thanks for your research.

[@nickancient6466]

I think I can definitively answer one of your questions. When I was a child in the seventies in Thousand oaks, CA, I knew Jack, because we belonged to the same temple, and it was a conservative temple, not at all orthodox.

[@dannyh13100]

This was a really fascinating exploration of Jack's ideas and influences, I hope more is added to the topic.

[@Nealrex101]

a great essay Chris! you continue to be a great pillar in the youtube comics community

[@Rechargerator]

You make some good observations here that I have never seen discussed before. I have always seen the Marvel years as Kirby creating a space-age mythology - that was still very much aware of the nuclear age it was superseding - where the New Gods represented a move toward an information-age mythology before anyone was beginning to imagine of such a thing. But you make a case for the point of failure in any of the later attempts for others to write these characters stems from a failure to grasp the "technology" of Mr. Miracle, Mother box and the source monolith lies in the "communication" with a divine concept of evolution. Nobody gets that bit. It really has a lot of Buddhist overtones, but it is a vision of "eternal development" that we seem to have lost touch with.

[@richbuxo]

Thanks for the great episode , made me appreciate Kirby even more and will look into getting some more of his 70's titles

[@peterburman5193]

I can't afford to become a Patreon member but I want Chris to succeed. Hopefully one day my finances will improve and I can support one of my favorite KZbin channels!

[@Targisvear]

"I'm lazily investigating" needs to be a meme lol. On holocaust in New Gods, the real question is HOW did Kirby mean that? I'm not Jewish either but I know in Hebrew the nazi holocaust is called "shoa" for "calamity", many non secular Jews opposing to using the name holocaust since it is a translation of their term for a fiere sacrifice to God or a pagan god so they think calling *that event* holocaust to be somewhat heretical. So I wonder if Kirby would be religious enough to call the events in the war he was witness as a holocaust or not.

[@Ketutar]

I agree, holocaust was first used to describe the Armenian massacre, and isn't originally in any way connected to the Jews. Genesis is a latin word, meaning the origin, and the Jews don't use it for their holy scripture.

[@jimschleich8753]

Another great episode! It Krackled! How about an episode about tributes to Jack in comic stories? Alan Moore's Supreme issue is fresh in my mind from a recent re-read. I'm sure there are more.

[@PALMA06]

Interesting as always. Well done.

[@NikkiDrawsStuff]

15:00 THATS MY BOYFRIEND!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ERICK!!! YOUR POPULAR!! Love Nikki.

[@chibiNATHA]

I love this in depth view of artists you do. Pls keep the good work, Chris!

[@Radioknock]

I wouldn't be surprised if those illustrations of god heavily inspired Tradd Moore on his work for Silver Surfer: Black.