Tales of Asgard might well be Jack Kirby's most personally distinctive work during his legendary Silver Age tenure at Mighty Marvel. The Fantastic Four was incredible, the run on the lead Thor feature was awe-inspiring, but somehow the humble back-up feature "Tales of Asgard" is the story which connects to The King's highly intoxicating Fourth World work the most directly.For there to be "New Gods" there had to old, and these are them.
One of my nostalgic favorites was the totally awesome Tales of Asgard annual which hit the stands in 1968 collecting the earliest of these epic stories. These vivid tales were again collected up a few years ago and given a new modern gloss, a new coloring which some have objected to. To my eye it seems to give them a freshness which I'm eager to sample. So this year to celebrate the birthday of Jack "King" Kirby, I think I'll order up this handsome collection.
Here's a look at the enticing splash pages featuring inks by the likes of "George Bell" (George Roussos), Paul Reinman, Chic Stone, Don Heck, Bill Everett and Vince Colletta.
As you say, some people objected to the recolouring. Personally, I thought it was great.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood the sometimes knee jerk reaction to changes of this sort. I've only seen some of these stories in reprint, so I've never seen the original coloring to judge it. What I've seen of early Silver Age color technology, it's nothing to wax too nostalgic about most of the time. But I'm a Charlton guy, so I better say little on this point. To my eye it looks like the stories have been given a high definition boost.
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There will never be another Jack Kirby. He has provided decades of wonder for generations. That display of splash pages is awe-inspiring. And I don't mind the re-coloring.
ReplyDeleteI agree on all counts.
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Rip --
ReplyDeleteThanks for the scans! I know that took you awhile to do.
I have this book, and while I've not read it all the way through, I'll agree with Kid. For tales like these, the new coloring gives it an almost storybook quality. I largely feel the same about the Chronicles of Conan series -- there are many detractors, there, however.
Doug
I need to get a copy stat. The scans I found, so it wasn't so labor intensive as all that. I wanted to showcase them here for Kirby's birthday.
DeleteI enjoy the Conan stories too. I've seen those Barry Smith classics colored in a lot of ways over the years and the DH versions are perfectly fine by me.
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Great seeing those pages of Tales of Asgard the Mystic Mountain my favourite thanks for showing them
ReplyDeleteI really love the effect Bill Everett's inks had on Kirby. It's a pity they didn't do more work together.
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