Customer Reviews

Jack Kirby's The Demon

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jack Kirby's entire run on the Demon, in one book. While a lot of people are into the New Gods, this somewhat macabre super hero/horror fusion does not get the props it deserves. The entire series takes place with no interaction with the rest of the DC Universe and still is enjoyable.

Krby bult this character to last, he has been used by countless other artist and writer and even been on TV (JLA Animated).

As for the paper issue. I rather like the paper, the coloring is great and gives you the feel of a "real" comic book. I hate it when a reprint is on glossy paper that shines under a lamp so you cannot read it. As for it "yellowing" as another reviewer stated this is speculation. The books is light in weight, and the binding stays open flat. I tried to see if there is any info on what sort of paper is used, it does not say. But you know for the Amazon price I will roll the dice and take my chances; the Kirby Books from the Fourth world series are still in good shape and have the same paper. Heck some of my older Marvel essentials printed on news print have not yellowed.

So in closing I say fear the Demon, not the paper.

The Demon is an entertaining comic by Jack Kirby. Like many of his DC creations, it never finds a firm footing: its neither a super hero comic or a horror comic. There are no sub-plots that join issue to issue, a device Stan Lee used to enhance the reading experience, and sales. That being said, its still pure entertainment as a quick read, and features some stunning art.

There are two types of fans of "collected editions" like the Demon: people who collect them for their own sake, and readers nostalgic for the original comics.

Collected edition fans often judge these books by their production values - including paper choice. A few reviewers in this camp claim the paper used in these volumes is not durable, a curious claim considering there is no evidence to support it. At $2 and issue, this volume is certainly far more economical than a new comic at $3 - plus its hard bound. Case in point: Demon comics from the 70's can still be bought almost newstand fresh on eBay, and this paper is of a far higher quality - though similar in presentation.

Nostalgic fans generally prefer DC's paper choice as its far closer to the medium used to print the original comic. I fall into this camp because I believe the artists knew they were working with newsprint, and tailored their work to it.

Collected editions often replicate the coloring of the original books -- isn't it kind of a wasted effort to use paper that makes it looks totally different?

I've been a Kirby fan for about 50 years. But I'd put off buying "The Demon" - even though I have most of the other Kirby reprints (even Silver Star). I have a great nostalgia for Kirby, and I needed a Jack fix, so I bought The Demon (at full price from the local comics store). I'd really forgotten how great it is! It really is Jack at the top of his game, and not just the best of the rest. Great art. Great writing. How could I have forgotten?

Our man in Brooklyn hit the nail in the face. I'm not a chemist or a paper-mill employee, but the sheets used in this volume and the Fourth World volumes is certainly not as acidic as traditional comic newsprint. The surface allows for more sensuous saturation than glossy, giving off that authentic vibe comikers crave. In fact, a little vintage yellowing and off-registration would do ALL comic reprints a lot of good. In a perfect world, obviously not this one, we'd be able to buy every comic ever made, bound and yellowed, yet somehow frozen from decay. As for the comic itself...what can one say...Kirby was THE Man... Woman and Child...and maybe even the family Dog...and one cool Cat.

This hardcover book reprints all 16 issues of The Demon comic book as written and drawn by Jack Kirby. The Demon is Etrigan, an actual demon, but he works for the forces of good. Merlin used his magic to turn the demon good, and also gave him the ability to turn into a human named Jason Blood. Etrigan/Jason Blood battled other supernatural beings throughout the course of the comic book, with the assistance of Randu Singh (an Indian mystic), Glenda Mark (Jason Blood's love interest) and Harry Matthews (a character obviously based on Jack Kirby himself). This is a really enjoyable superhero/horror comic book. But it would be nice if it wasn't printed on such cheap paper.

I bought the Jack Kirby book as a gift - it was on my husband's wish list so naturally he was thrilled to receive the book. He thinks it's a great book and happy to have received it.

Finally got mine and I'm sorry I delayed so long because of some of the earlier reviews about the paper. The colors are bright, and it looks like a hardbound copy of "near mint" issues of the original comic. It also includes some pencil sketches and an intro by Mark Evanier. I might still have prererred glossy paper, but the decision was made to use this format for this and the other Kirby collections, and I think it looks great.

A must-have item for new readers of Jack Kirby's 1970s work for DC, as well as for older collectors who might want these issues handy in one hardbound volume. The paper quality is superior to the newsprint used for the comics, and at the same time better than the glossy paper that Marvel uses for its Masterwork series. Everything is top-notch here, from Mark Evanier's foreword to the generous use of original Kirby pencils, supplied by Twomorrows.

I almost didn't order this book because of all the hub-bub over the paper. I knew I loved the comic and had not read it in years, but I did not want to be ripped off. No chance. From the introduction to the very end it was a joy to read. I liked the format, the color and the paper. Thank you Amazon for bringing it to me cheaper than the cover price but even at that it is worth it. Now I can buy the Fourth World and other Kirby books I had wanted without worrying.
I had forgotten how really great and different these stories were... brought back wonderful memories. Thank you.

What more can be said that hasn't been shouted by the fans on this page already? This book should have a thousand reviews by Kirby fans...where are they?

This omnibus is beautiful. The legend of Kirby coming up with The Demon over dinner is just another cool little anecdote about the King and his god-like talent with comic books.

I loved these pages because it was fun to watch Kirby command the villagers, castles and garments of The Demon's world just as well as he does all that tech and sci-fi. The penciled pages as a bonus was amazing - sometimes the ink and color buries Jack's beautiful skill with a pencil.

Demon fans, Kirby fans, classic comic fans...this is a great buy!

There will NEVER be another Jack. Though some artists have tried, and there are certainly those that have a style all their own and their work commands attention (I'm thinking of John Romita Jr here) there is just something about Jack's style that lifts it off the page and makes you feel like you're looking at a master enjoying his craft...and of course, you really are.