Today would have been Jack Kirby’s 101st birthday. From his tough Jewish immigrant beginnings on New York City’s Lower East Side, to the comic book publishing houses of Midtown Manhattan, to Brooklyn and the suburbs of Nassau County, to Thousand Oaks in Ventura County, California, Jack Kirby’s mind and hand brought us countless visually powerful stories and images. His work ethic, timeless ideas, and iconic visualizations continue to influence the storytellers of today, whether on the comic book page or the silver screen. Characters and scenarios that first came from his simple drawing board are household names worldwide, remain the cornerstone of the comic book industry, and are now the foundation of billion dollar blockbuster films.

Having seen the horrors of war firsthand, Kirby understood both the consequences of violence and the meaning of sacrifice, and his experiences informed the heroic ideals exemplified not just in his work but in his everyday life. Kirby’s kindness and general decency towards his fellows, fans, and friends remains the backbone for the culture of comic books, pop culture fandom, and conventions that attract millions of devotees each year. It’s easy to see the impact of Kirby’s creations, but don’t forget the legacy of Kirby the man.

We here at the Jack Kirby Museum are humbled and honored to do the work we do, to educate the world about Jack Kirby, his life, his images, and his stories. We look forward to continuing our work, and thank everyone for their support, especially The Kirby Estate.

We have some exciting projects in the works! Thank you, Jack!