Jack Kirby the legendary comic book artist is finally getting the documentary he deserves. Kirbyvision is a feature-length deep dive into the life and work of legendary artist and creator.
If you love comics, you already know the scope of Kirby’s impact. Co-creating Captain America with Joe Simon in 1941, Kirby famously depicted Cap punching Adolf Hitler on the cover of the very first issue, months before the U.S. even entered World War II.
Over his nearly 60-year career, he co-created an astonishing roster of Marvel’s biggest icons, including The Avengers, Black Panther, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Thor, and the X-Men (many with Stan Lee).
Kirby also worked at DC Comics, introducing the groundbreaking Fourth World saga, bringing to life cosmic heavyweights like Darkseid, Mister Miracle, and OMAC, which characters that continue to shape DC’s stories today.
Ricki Stern (Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, UFOs: Investigating the Unknown) is set to direct, with Dan Braun and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment (The Andy Warhol Diaries, Wild Wild Country) producing under their Submarine Deluxe banner. Joining them are Mike Cecchini, Ron Fogelman, and Chris Longo.
The director shared in a statement: “Jack was not only one of the great comic book artists of all time, but a true visionary genius,” Stern said. “In this new feature-length documentary, we actively campaign for the recognition he finally deserves as a leading artist and storyteller of the 20th Century.”
Braun added: “If there were a Mount Rushmore of 20th-century pop culture luminaries, Jack Kirby should be the first one to be carved into the mountain. Kirbyvision will let audiences experience the full scope of Jack’s limitless imagination, creativity and heart.”
The Estate of Jack Kirby, represented by the Rosalind Kirby Family Trust, is fully cooperating on the project, providing the filmmakers with personal documents, home movies, and creative materials, many of which have never been seen by the public.
Kirby’s daughter, Lisa Kirby, said: “We are thrilled to work with such a dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable team of filmmakers. The legacy of Jack Kirby is in good hands, as Ricki, Dan, Josh, Ron, Mike, Chris and their team share the same creative energy that helped my father create boundless universes of characters that continue to inspire us and shape our imaginations.”
The documentary will “explore Kirby’s remarkable journey from poverty during the Great Depression to frontline service in World War II and his groundbreaking career spanning various genres from superheroes to romance, war, westerns, science fiction and horror, westerns, sci-fi, and horror, Kirby’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and sheer creative force.”
The production team added: “Whether noble underdogs battling extraordinary villains, lowly soldiers in the trenches ripped from his own battlefield experiences, remarkably prescient looks at our potential technological future, or man’s relation to the divine nature of the gods, Kirby’s tales are as universal and human as they are mythic and cosmic in their scope. Kirby’s creations and his subsequent struggles have made him a symbol of the enduring power of storytelling.”
The documentary also has the support of the Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center, with museum director Randolph Hoppe emphasizing why now is the right moment:
“Now is the perfect time to tell the complete story of the man whose imagination and craft continue to ignite and shape the dreams of new generations. We’re delighted to be working with Ricki and the whole production team to unlock the life story of a true legend.”
As a long time fan of Kirby’s comic book art and work, I’m looking forward to watching this documentary!
Source: Variety