Monday, March 30, 2015

Jack Kirby's Kamandi Artist's Edition

 Title Page

 Credits/Indicia Spread

Chapter Divider


When I was a young lad, Kamandi was my favorite Jack Kirby comic. Actually, there wasn't even a second favorite. I really didn't get a chance to see his earlier work first-hand. When this came out, it gave me an opportunity to buy the first issue, and experience this Kirby world from it's inception. The main attraction to me, was that it certainly was inspired by "Planet of the Apes." Those movies both inspired me and creeped me out. Either way, they were exciting. Seeing this comic for the first time, gave me the same sort of mixed feelings. In the artwork, it felt like the panels had more breathing room than the what I was used to seeing from Kirby. Maybe it had more to do with the writing, and there being less words crammed into the word balloons. Anyway, I really liked what I was a seeing, and I could actually understand the storylines. A young boy is being chased by humanoid animals, and he is struggling to survive! What could be simpler?

When designing this Artist's Edition book, I was inspired by hazardous waste and radiation signs. I added a little grit and aging to everything to make it look like it's been exposed to the elements and it didn't hold up too well. I also kept the palette very basic and limited. I think simpler is better.

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