Jack Kirby created literally hundreds of characters in his long and fruitful career in the comic book industry. Among those creations were the cast of a intensely personal, and incredibly wild, modern-day myth arc that came to be known as "The Fourth World." Presented in three DC Comics series, The New Gods, The Forever People, and Mister Miracle, with related stories appearing in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, Kirby created an epic battle between good and evil, a battle told via the experiences of his protagonists.
I could go into more detail regarding Kirby's Fourth World, but others have done a more thorough, and certainly much better, job of that already. If you would like further info on the New Gods, I strongly urge you to explore the Kirby-related sites I have listed on the links page. Suffice it to say that I have found the characters and their stories intriguing and exciting. And so my interest in comic book artwork has gradually led me to try and obtain original pages and sketches of Kirby's wonderful characters. So far my collection is small, but good luck (and my finances!) allowing, I will hopefully be able to acquire further artwork.
One section of the site is devoted specifically to my Beautiful Dreamer sketchbook (Beautiful Dreamer being one of the Forever People). How did this come about? Here's how it goes...
I've been collection sketches from artists at comic conventions since 1995, and I always got them on loose pieces of paper, backboard, and drawing paper (most of these were related to my other major comic book favorite, Captain America.) I had considered starting a convention sketchbook, since I had seen other comic fans with such books. The idea of having a collection of drawings by a diverse group of artists all in one book was an appealing one. It would be even more interesting to have a specific theme, as a number of others have done. But for several years I hesitated, because I couldn't think of a good theme, and because, neurotic worrier that I am, I was always afraid I'd end up losing a sketchbook!
Then, out of the blue, I came up with a crazy idea. Why not start a sketchbook with a Beautiful Dreamer theme? Why not see what sort of interpretations various artists would bring to the character? Half-convinced that I was out of my head, I nevertheless bought a sketchbook and started my theme.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the pieces that have been contributed to my Beautiful Dreamer sketchbook. Dick Ayers inaugurated the book with a wonderful drawing. Since then, I've obtained some fabulous, distinctive sketches and drawings. It's a fun challenge to get drawings of Dreamer from such a diverse group of artists, and I find myself enjoying the accumulation of these pieces.
So, I hope you'll take a look through this site, and that you will find looking at this art as enjoyable as I do!
Oh, yeah, one of these days I'm going to get an actual Jack Kirby page. One of these days...