Jack Kirby's 97th Birthday

In honor of what would have been Jack Kirby's 97th birthday, let's take a look at--ahem-- Fantastic Four #97 (1970), one of the later Lee-Kirby collaborations from that comic's historic run. 

FF #97's  "The Creature From the Lost Lagoon!" features a sympathetic alien "monster" who adopts a human guise for much of the story.  To illustrate the obvious, check out these panels (l. and r.) of that human form:

But check out these pages from Fantastic Four #97, Kirby-Giacoia art: 

To achieve freedom, he busts loose in true Kirby style.  

Was  #97 Kirby's way of expressing his dissatisfaction and frustration with the House of Ideas? As we know, less than 6 months later and as officially announced in Fantastic Four #102, the King left Marvel (though he'd return in 1975). Why was the alien silent in his human form? Did Stan notice the resemblance? 

Jack "King" Kirby  

August 28 1917- February 6 1994

If you'd like to read more of FF #97, you can purchase it from an online vendor or check your LCS, they may have this classic issue. Plus the story's been reprinted in Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5 and Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Volume 10. 

By the way, when this same alien creature made another appearance a few years later in Fantastic Four #124-5, in the flashback scenes John Buscema drew the creature's human identity with a longer, ess stocky body instead of the more compact Kirby physique shown in #97.

Black Canary, Brave and the Bold #61, and...

Here's Murphy Anderson's classic cover for The Brave and Bold #61 (1965) starring Black Canary and Starman. You know, this particular image of Black Canary reminds me of another sensationally sinuous femme fatale...

Yes, none other than the original Love Goddess herself:  Rita Hayworth! This famous publicity still is from Cover Girl, one of lovely Rita's biggest hits.

So the question remains: is Starman Kelly or Astaire? ;)

The Medusa Effect...on Models, Movie Stars, and Musicals!

There's no doubt that Medusa's long beautiful shining gleaming streaming down-to-there hair was a major influence in the swingin' sixties look. Don't believe me? Just take a look at just a few of the pop culture icons who followed our Ms. Medusa's lead.

The Marvelous Magnificent Medusa from Fantastic Four Annual #5 (1967), by Jack "King" Kirby, natch!

Veruschka, top model; appeared in Antonioni's Blow-Up

Another icon from the '60s: model Jean Shrimpton

Raquel displays her best assets--her tresses ;)

'Nuff said ;)

The preceding program has been brought to you in (mostly) living color by

Marvelous Medusa mashup!

Medusa: Off Duty!

Here's the mighty Medusa as she first appeared, waaaay back in Fantastic Four #38. Even though she's hiding out from humanity and living in a cave in the middle of nowhere, she still makes sure her cute little outfit and gloves are color coordinated. It's attention to those sorts of details that make or break a look; Tim Gunn would approve.

Fantastic Four #36

Boutique chic.

Fantastic Four #38

                                         
Gorgon, Karnak, and Medusa--in "human" garb.

Amazing Adventures #7

Medusa in another bright yellow mini-skirted ensemble, enjoying a night on the town with Reed.

Fantastic Four #142

Alas, as we all know Sue eventually returned to Reed, so Medusa's stint as Reed's arm candy was short-lived. Ever the loyal friend to both Reed and Sue, Medusa decided to play down her own charms and she adopted a decidedly less glamorous presentation. Dressed up or down, we still love you, 'Dusa!

And for even more pulchritudinous panels of the marvelous Medusa and her various cohorts--Frightful Four, Inhumans, Fantastic Four--be sure to check out my new Panelocity site!

Medusa ponders her post-Reed options in Fantastic Four #158

The Medusa Effect...and the Original X-Factor!

Let's start the new year 2014 off with--yes, more Medusa! Over the years many have noted the similarity between Medusa's 1969 Spidey-bashing emerald ensemble and the early X-Factor costumes.

Go Green! Medusa and Jean Grey

And not only did Jean Grey and her fashionable Factor cohorts "borrow" Medusa's costume...

Project Runway meets X-Factor: Cyke, Hank, and Jean strike a pose

...but later on Jean also swiped Medusa's fabulous follicles! Or is Ms. Grey's massive hair growth a by-product of that freaking Phoenix Force?

Silver Age snippet: A Kirby creation featuring Medusa and Jean and a few other familiar figures in between! Consider yourself no-prized if you can identify this extremely well-known classic cover. 

Happy 91st Birthday, Stan Lee!

It's that time of the year again--yep, it's HIS birthday.   Happy Birthday to the Man!

Stan Lee over the years

More Medusa and Reed!

Some Reed-Medusa interaction from the good old Frightful Four days. And for even more Medusa and Reed and Frightful Four, check out my Panelocity blog!

Medusa snags Stretcho in Fantastic Four #38


The full Kirby panel:

Nick Cardy 1920-2013

The great artist and gentleman Nick Cardy has passed away at the age of 93. His work in the fields of advertising, illustration, and comics was always singular; you could never mistake a drawing by Cardy as being by another artist.

In addition to Cardy's superlative work on superhero comics--his Silver Age Aquaman and Teen Titans are the stuff of legends--he was a master of many other comic book genres, including romance and western titles. Cardy was also one of the earliest and most design oriented artists in comics; take a look at a few of his innovative Aquaman covers (1968-1970) below.

Rest in peace, Mr. Cardy.

Aquaman by Cardy

Sue or Medusa? The Battle Continues!

The public has spoken! It's Medusa by a landslide. Are you paying attention, Marvel?! Send Sue off to Atlantis so Reed can ensconce himself in Medusa's matchless "invincible scarlet tresses."

Fantastic Four #42 (1965) Sue vs. Medusa!

Let's face it, Reed and Medusa have always naturally gravitated to one another. Look at this classic cover in all its versions. Everyone else is charging straight ahead, but notice how Medusa and Reed "lean" into one another. Body language doesn't lie.

Fantastic Four #82 and descendants

Reed and Medusa's chemistry is so blindingly obvious that everyone--Ben, Johnny, Crystal, random citizens of Attilan--can't help but notice it. Well, everyone except for Black Bolt, who as usual is oblivious to what's going on right under his nose. And for even more Medusa, Inhuman and FF goodness, check out my Panelocity site!

Fantastic Four #83

Jack Kirby's 96th Birthday

Taking a break from our Medusa marathon to post a belated commemoration of Jack Kirby's birthday. As I'm sure most of you already know, on this past August 28th he would have been 96.
Here, a few of my favorite faces by the King:

Captain America #109

Thor #175

As many have noted, here Reed seems to be a Kirby self-portrait.

Fantastic Four #79

More Marvelous Medusa

Very pressed for time...but as I did promise to post some pretty pictures, here are a few featuring--yep, you guessed it--the marvelous, mysterious Madame M.  Enjoy the pulchritude, and have a great Labor Day, everyone! Hard to believe the summer is almost over.

The Pre-Raphaelites would have adored Medusa; but really, she would have been the perfect artistic subject for any era.

Fantastic Four #41 (1965) The glorious Medusa by Kirby and Colletta

From Marvel Collectors' Item Classics #21 (1969), the work of the young Barry Windsor-Smith.

Medusa Pin-Up in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics #21

This is a gorgeous pin-up from Fantastic Four Annual #5 (1967), courtesy of Messrs. Kirby (who else??) and Giacoia.

Medusa Pin-Up in Fantastic Four Annual #5

Madame Medusa and the Men of the Fantastic Four!

More marvelous Medusa musings! We've recently ruminated on a missed opportunity: Medusa hooking up with Reed during the time he and Sue were separated in the mid-1970s. Looking at Medusa's history, it seems she's always had her eye on Reed...even back in the Frightful Four days when she was joining the Sandman for a spot of tea. 

When Medusa officially joined the Fantastic Four in 1973, the lady with the living locks was right there to help out Reed whenever he became distraught about Sue. Sure, when helping Reed Medusa had a tendency to "play rough"  (to use the Sandman's phrase)...but she sometimes followed that up with a dinner invitation, so all was forgiven.

Medusa and Reed in Fantastic Four #140

Fantastic Four #142

And although nothing ever happened romance-wise, maybe just maybe deep-down Reed felt the same way--he sure didn't seem to like the sight of Medusa cozying up with Johnny, did he?

Fantastic Four #145: Reed interrupts

Well, I suppose Mr. Richards was a wee too distracted to properly appreciate Medusa's abundant charms. Perhaps Ben, with his down-to-earth manner and gruff charm would have been a better match for her, but he was dating Alicia; plus Thundra had the hots for him, so his dance card was full...

...but in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2, away from the heat of the battle, Ben and Medusa seem to have some chemistry going. Love this panel!

Ben and Medusa  in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2

Now onto Johnny. In the FF lettercols, Marvel queried the readers about the possibility of a Medusa-Johnny romance (never mind that in every other issue all Johnny did was bend Medusa's ear about her sister, Crystal).  In response some readers said yes;  others vetoed the idea. Then Marvel said that they'd leave it up to the next creative team to decide, and then--poof!--Medusa finished her tour of duty with the FF and hightailed it back to the Inhumans and her ever-lovin' Black Bolt.

So, no romance ever blossomed between Medusa and Johnny. But no sooner does Medusa leave the team, then what does Johnny do but fall for another lush-locked redhead--see for yourself, Tiger!

Fantastic Four #164