PART TWO Of 'ETERNALLY YOURS, JACK KIRBY' - COVER GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Y'know, Crivvies, it's difficult for me to believe, whenever I cast my eyes over the cover of The ETERNALS Annual at the foot of this post, that I bought this mag 37 years ago.  The summer's day I sat reading it in my living-room, in a chair we no longer have, at the side of a mantelpiece that no longer exists, seems as fresh in my memory as more recent events.  So much has changed since then, so many friends and family have expired - yet the comic survives, in practically the same condition as when purchased in 1977.  How near that time seems, almost as if I could reach out and touch it (if you know what I mean) - it sometimes simply astounds me that I'm now living in a different century to the one in which this comic was first published.

Anyway, that's enough self-indulgent silliness from me for this post, you'll be glad to hear.  Now I can unleash the final ten covers of JACK KIRBY's longest-lasting new mag, which he did (amongst others) upon his return to MARVEL in the mid-'70s.  To all but diehard fans, his style of writing and drawing was 'out-of-sync' to the way things were then being done by others in the field of comicbook endeavour.  Kirby was still 'King', but it was more an honorary title than one that reflected the reality of his then-current place in the overall scheme of things.  Past accomplishments had secured his place in the hall of fame, but they seemed long ago and now other creators reigned from the throne that had once been his, and his alone.  Such is the nature of kingship, alas.

Yet Kirby's immortality is assured.  He'll still be celebrated and discussed long after the rest of us are forgotten, of that you can be certain.  And while you're pondering that simultaneously sad and happy thought, don't forget to enjoy the cosmic comic covers presented in this post for your personal perusal.

SEVEN SENSATIONAL PAGES Of The AMAZING JOHNNY FUTURE - PART NINE...

Copyright REBELLION

Look at the ad on the last page on this post - the 'FANTASTIC EXPLOSION!'  It was a lie of course.  Two comics becoming one is only an implosion, but publishers ODHAMS PRESS could hardly admit the truth - can you imagine?  "Sad news inside, chums!  Due to not enough people buying TERRIFIC, we have no option but to cancel the title and move some of the strips over to its sister publication, which is also ailing.  By combining the two readerships, we may be able to limp along for a little while yet!"  Nah, doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?

So these events were always promoted as something to get excited about - something that readers 'demanded'.  That's why you can regard just about any claim from any publisher as complete and utter p*sh, because they always try to put a positive spin on things!  They seldom, if ever, tell you the truth.  A comic being cancelled after 75 years is promoted as a bold new chapter in its history rather than a sad event.  Any whim of the editor is hailed as a response to what the readers wanted.  When The DANDY changed to fortnightly publication back in 2004, the excuse given was that research had shown that kids no longer had time in their busy lives for a weekly comic, hence the change to every two weeks.  Meanwhile, better-selling sister publication The BEANO proved the lie of that claim - week after week after week. 

Anyway, enjoy the wrap-up of JF's current adventure - and be sure to return for the final Fantastic weekly episode - a seven page single story - on this, the very best blog of its kind (according to my pal Bob, and he wouldn't lie - I think) in the history of everything!  (H'mm, maybe I should 'big' myself up a bit.  Whaddya think?)