One of my favorite Kirby Cap comics of all time ... and the issue that won me an official Marvel No-Prize! If you look really closely at the bottom two panels of page 8, with Cap and Bucky on the motorcycle, they're in costume in the left panel and not in costume for the rest of the sequence. My much-better 14-year-old eyes spotted this and I sent off a letter and a few months later I got a No-Prize in the mail, which freaked out my mailman, since it was just an open, empty envelope. He told my mom to get in touch with the person who sent it, because it was open and there was nothing in it. I had a hard time explaining to Mom that it was a No-Prize ... meaning there was no prize beyond the envelope. I still have that empty envelope over 50 years later and it's one of my most-treasured "awards."
I feel like Ed Brubaker must've had that panel of Bucky with a machine gun in mind when he invented the backstory behind him becoming the Winter Soldier.
Just a head's up, I have the entire run of Captain America Essentials, including a few variations of printed editions. The original printing of Captain America Vol. 1 (with the older trade dress, specifically) has some pages that appear to be lifted directly from printed issues with the colors grayscaled (think Wolverine Vol. 5-7, but not as retina destroying). I'm guessing back in the late 90s, they were unable to source all of the original files (or clean up the existing ones). The third printing has all of the pages cleaned up with straight black and white again. Figured I would pass it along for those wishing to seek it out.
Really love this issue. Can't believe JK illustrated it over a weekend or whatever too. Would be cool if you guys looked at the Steranko Cap issues 110, 111, & 113 too!
The Kirby Cap issues leading up to those Steranko issues are some of the greatest comics of all time, but somehow Steranko follows them and maintains the momentum of incredible comics, they're THAT good.
I beg to differ - those plastic pillows were cool! I had the Spidey and it lasted quite a relatively long time. But it wasn't full-size, more like 12x10. Still, the 3D aspect was neat too with the alley guy on the back level and Spider-man on top.
16:58 - Haha - When I was a kid, I had an issue of "Marvel Super Action" that reprinted the original Captain America issue where Cap fought Red Skull and The Exiles. Great fight scene! But even as a kid I laughed how those "Exiles" all had some gimmick - big strong guy, guy with a gun, guy with mechanical wheelchair, guy with a bullwhip, guy with a mechanical fist - but then there's that one guy with literally a long scarf tied in knots.
It's amazing to look back and see how Steranko immediately got plotting credit and then writing credit--all of which Jack was denied, even though he basically plotted and partially dialoged (in notes to Stan) multiple comics every month.
I think your pronunciation on Batrock is right, Ed. That's how they said it in the 1960s cartoon (usually with a cheesy fake French accent): "Batroc, zee leapair...!"
What a great comic, I've only had the pleasure of reading this in the Cap Omnibus, although those recolours are fantastic for the Sterankos its great to see Kirby's in real deal floppy format. Also how great is it the Kirby can hold still his own between those futuristic Steranko issues, what an artist!
Tuska's inks show remarkable restraint compared to his earlier Cap and Avengers stories, where his style overwhelms. I also think that, due to the time squeeze, there are other hands at work. It looks like Kirby himself may have pitched in on the inking on some of those pages.
I know that at Marvel Kirby's crown jewel is considered to be Fantastic Four especially once Joe Sinott is regular inker. But, man when Kirby is doing his second run of Captain America in the 60s, its just magical, like he is so excited to be drawing Cap again.
2:21 - I definitely called that guy "BAT-Rock" for years. Now I am led to believe it should be closer to "Ba-TROCK" (although I am unclear if that is an actual French word/name). I wonder where Stan (assuming it was Stan) came up with that name? For kicks I looked up his first appearance from Tales of Suspense #75. The dialogue is great. Within the first few panels of his first appearance we have a "Mon Ami", a "Sacre Bleu!" and a "Zut Alors!" (That issue also features the first appearance of a mysterious female agent named Sharon Carter.)
Well, "batrachian" means amphibian, specifically froglike, which is an odd impolite way to refer to a French dude, even if he does talk like Pepe LePew.
Thanks for the amazing review guys. I love the King's work and this issue is now on my radar. I am scoping out a few copies to buy and also the Essentials as well. Jack Kirby's work on this is at the top of his game. I wish people still did comics like this now.
Great video,guys! I read this book without a cover in 1970 for 5 or 6cents! This was my way of learning about comics /various characters ,no cover so l was grabbing books by looking at the first page! Cap 112 is fn blast,Jimmy hit the nail on the head because that’s how I felt!
Around that time that there was an insane “murderer’s row” of artists on consecutive issues of Cap - Steranko, Kirby, Romita, Colan - I doubt the has been topped in 4 issues! PS Hulk Grand Design pre-ordered today, Jim!
You guys talked about the Claremont/Byrne "Grand Design" issue of X-Men in a previous episode and I realized John Byrne has done quite a few of those. He did an issue of Wonder Woman in the late '90s recapping her Post-Crisis stories in that format. I think he did a similar short version for the Hulk at that time as well.
One of my favorite Kirby Cap comics of all time ... and the issue that won me an official Marvel No-Prize! If you look really closely at the bottom two panels of page 8, with Cap and Bucky on the motorcycle, they're in costume in the left panel and not in costume for the rest of the sequence. My much-better 14-year-old eyes spotted this and I sent off a letter and a few months later I got a No-Prize in the mail, which freaked out my mailman, since it was just an open, empty envelope. He told my mom to get in touch with the person who sent it, because it was open and there was nothing in it. I had a hard time explaining to Mom that it was a No-Prize ... meaning there was no prize beyond the envelope. I still have that empty envelope over 50 years later and it's one of my most-treasured "awards."
Those were the days.Edith Bunker voice.
And well it should be!
I feel like Ed Brubaker must've had that panel of Bucky with a machine gun in mind when he invented the backstory behind him becoming the Winter Soldier.
I love Kirby's Cap! His run on cap is absolutely astounding. No other artist was ever able to capture the dynamics of Cap in action.
Just a head's up, I have the entire run of Captain America Essentials, including a few variations of printed editions. The original printing of Captain America Vol. 1 (with the older trade dress, specifically) has some pages that appear to be lifted directly from printed issues with the colors grayscaled (think Wolverine Vol. 5-7, but not as retina destroying). I'm guessing back in the late 90s, they were unable to source all of the original files (or clean up the existing ones). The third printing has all of the pages cleaned up with straight black and white again. Figured I would pass it along for those wishing to seek it out.
Love anytime you guys put Kirby under the microscope!
You’ve gotta do the Steranko issues!
Jack Kirby was amazing!
Really love this issue. Can't believe JK illustrated it over a weekend or whatever too. Would be cool if you guys looked at the Steranko Cap issues 110, 111, & 113 too!
The Kirby Cap issues leading up to those Steranko issues are some of the greatest comics of all time, but somehow Steranko follows them and maintains the momentum of incredible comics, they're THAT good.
I beg to differ - those plastic pillows were cool! I had the Spidey and it lasted quite a relatively long time. But it wasn't full-size, more like 12x10. Still, the 3D aspect was neat too with the alley guy on the back level and Spider-man on top.
16:58 - Haha - When I was a kid, I had an issue of "Marvel Super Action" that reprinted the original Captain America issue where Cap fought Red Skull and The Exiles. Great fight scene! But even as a kid I laughed how those "Exiles" all had some gimmick - big strong guy, guy with a gun, guy with mechanical wheelchair, guy with a bullwhip, guy with a mechanical fist - but then there's that one guy with literally a long scarf tied in knots.
It's amazing to look back and see how Steranko immediately got plotting credit and then writing credit--all of which Jack was denied, even though he basically plotted and partially dialoged (in notes to Stan) multiple comics every month.
I think your pronunciation on Batrock is right, Ed. That's how they said it in the 1960s cartoon (usually with a cheesy fake French accent): "Batroc, zee leapair...!"
This is a Jack Kirby splash page spectacular, thank you for showing and sharing.
What a great comic, I've only had the pleasure of reading this in the Cap Omnibus, although those recolours are fantastic for the Sterankos its great to see Kirby's in real deal floppy format. Also how great is it the Kirby can hold still his own between those futuristic Steranko issues, what an artist!
Tuska's inks show remarkable restraint compared to his earlier Cap and Avengers stories, where his style overwhelms. I also think that, due to the time squeeze, there are other hands at work. It looks like Kirby himself may have pitched in on the inking on some of those pages.
My dog truly hates the boxing bell
Love whenever you guys study Kirby works!!
I know that at Marvel Kirby's crown jewel is considered to be Fantastic Four especially once Joe Sinott is regular inker. But, man when Kirby is doing his second run of Captain America in the 60s, its just magical, like he is so excited to be drawing Cap again.
2:21 - I definitely called that guy "BAT-Rock" for years. Now I am led to believe it should be closer to "Ba-TROCK" (although I am unclear if that is an actual French word/name). I wonder where Stan (assuming it was Stan) came up with that name?
For kicks I looked up his first appearance from Tales of Suspense #75. The dialogue is great. Within the first few panels of his first appearance we have a "Mon Ami", a "Sacre Bleu!" and a "Zut Alors!" (That issue also features the first appearance of a mysterious female agent named Sharon Carter.)
Well, "batrachian" means amphibian, specifically froglike, which is an odd impolite way to refer to a French dude, even if he does talk like Pepe LePew.
@@russworks2882 Wow. Nearly lifelong Batroc fan, and never thought of that. Thanks!
Had that Thor plastic pillow.
Lasted way longer than it should have.
Thanks for the amazing review guys. I love the King's work and this issue is now on my radar. I am scoping out a few copies to buy and also the Essentials as well. Jack Kirby's work on this is at the top of his game. I wish people still did comics like this now.
You can also read Captain America #112 on Marvel Unlimited if you’re still searching for the physical single issue or collected as Ed mentioned.
Great video,guys! I read this book without a cover in 1970 for 5 or 6cents! This was my way of learning about comics /various characters ,no cover so l was grabbing books by looking at the first page! Cap 112 is fn blast,Jimmy hit the nail on the head because that’s how I felt!
Around that time that there was an insane “murderer’s row” of artists on consecutive issues of Cap - Steranko, Kirby, Romita, Colan - I doubt the has been topped in 4 issues!
PS Hulk Grand Design pre-ordered today, Jim!
Kirby is the Comics God. Nuff said.
I got my copy of Captain America #112 for 12 cents. Of course, that was in 1969.
Last part of the book looks a lot more Tuska than the first... wonder if it became breakdowns toward the end?
One the very first comic books I ever bought. My dream was to have Kirby actually sign it.
Super cool.
Love your Kirby episodes, can't get enough!
Is Batroc an anagram for Acrobat… lol I guess writing it out actually answers this question…
With an extra “a” it is
That galactus origins book is a good one
I think he's "Bat-Rock" in the MCU also
Fantastic!
RIP ED PISKOR
You guys rock
You guys talked about the Claremont/Byrne "Grand Design" issue of X-Men in a previous episode and I realized John Byrne has done quite a few of those.
He did an issue of Wonder Woman in the late '90s recapping her Post-Crisis stories in that format. I think he did a similar short version for the Hulk at that time as well.