Posted By Dan Greenfield on Sep 26, 2022 | 1 comment

PLUS: TwoMorrows hatches more issues of Jack Kirby Collector — and a collection of Simon and Kirby’s Mainline Comics…

Jack Kirby fans know that TwoMorrows is the go-to source on the King, whether were talking Jack Kirby Collector or essential history books.

Well, the publisher has added three of the former and two of the latter for 2023 — including the Destroyer Duck Graphite Edition (featuring Kirby’s “unbridled, uninked pencil art!”) — as well as a collection of Kirby and Joe Simon work for Mainline Comics.

Here are the official descriptions:

DESTROYER DUCK GRAPHITE EDITION by JACK KIRBY & STEVE GERBER

Introduction by MARK EVANIER

In the 1980s, writer STEVE GERBER was embroiled in a lawsuit against MARVEL COMICS over ownership of his creation HOWARD THE DUCK. To raise funds for legal fees, Gerber asked JACK KIRBY to contribute to a benefit comic titled DESTROYER DUCK. Without hesitation, Kirby (who was in his own dispute with Marvel at the time) donated his services for the first issue, and the duo took aim at their former employer in an outrageous five-issue run. With biting satire and guns blazing, Duke “Destroyer” Duck battled the thinly veiled Godcorp (whose infamous credo was “Grab it all! Own it all! Drain it all!”), its evil leader Ned Packer and the (literally) spineless Booster Cogburn, Medea (a parody of Daredevil’s Elektra), and more! Now, all five Gerber/Kirby issues are collected—but relettered and reproduced from JACK’S UNBRIDLED, UNINKED PENCIL ART!

Also included are select examples of ALFREDO ALCALA’s unique inking style over Kirby on the original issues, Gerber’s script pages, an historical Introduction by MARK EVANIER (co-editor of the original 1980s issues), and an Afterword by BUZZ DIXON (who continued the series after Gerber)! Discover all the hidden jabs you missed when DESTROYER DUCK was first published, and experience page after page of Kirby’s raw pencil art!

SHIPS SPRING 2023!

128-page COLOR HARDCOVER • $31.95 • (Digital Edition) $13.99 •  ISBN: 978-1-60549-117-2

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THE BEST OF SIMON & KIRBY’S MAINLINE COMICS by JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY

Introduction by JOHN MORROW

In 1954, industry legends JOE SIMON and JACK KIRBY founded MAINLINE PUBLICATIONS to publish their own comics during that turbulent era in comics history. The four titles—BULLSEYE, FOXHOLE, POLICE TRAP, and IN LOVE—looked to build off their reputation as hit makers in the Western, War, Crime, and Romance genres, but the 1950s backlash against comics killed any chance at success, and Mainline closed its doors just two years later. For the first time, TwoMorrows Publishing is compiling the best of Simon & Kirby’s Mainline comics work, including all of the stories with S&K art, as well as key tales with contributions by MORT MESKIN and others. After the company’s dissolution, their partnership ended with Simon leaving comics for advertising, and Kirby taking unused Mainline concepts to both DC and Marvel. This collection bridges the gap between Simon & Kirby’s peak with their 1950s romance comics, and the lows that led to Kirby’s resurgence with CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN and the early MARVEL UNIVERSE. With loving art restoration by CHRIS FAMA, and an historical overview by JOHN MORROW to put it all into perspective, the BEST OF SIMON & KIRBY’S MAINLINE COMICS presents some of the final, and finest, work Joe and Jack ever produced.

SHIPS SUMMER 2023!

256-page COLOR HARDCOVER • $49.95 • (Digital Edition) $15.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60549-118-9

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And dig what’s in store for Jack Kirby Collector:

KIRBY COLLECTOR #86
VISUAL COMPARISONS! Analysis of unused vs. known Kirby covers and art, BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH on his stylizations in Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles, Kirby’s incorporation of real-life images in his work, WILL MURRAY’s conversations with top pros just after Jack’s passing, unused Mister Miracle cover inked by WALTER SIMONSON, and more! Edited by JOHN MORROW.
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95
(Digital Edition) $4.99 • Ships Spring 2023

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KIRBY COLLECTOR #87
LAW & ORDER! Kirby’s lawmen from the Newsboy Legion’s Jim Harper and “Terrible” Turpin, to Western gunfighters, and even future policemen like OMAC and Captain Victory! Also: how a Marvel cop led to the creation of Funky Flashman! Justice Traps The Guilty and Headline Comics! Plus MARK EVANIER moderating 2022’s Kirby Tribute Panel (with Sin City’s FRANK MILLER). MACHLAN cover inks.
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95
(Digital Edition) $4.99 • Summer 2023

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KIRBY COLLECTOR #88
THE COLLECTORS! Fans’ quest for and purchase of Jack’s original art and comics, MARV WOLFMAN shares his (and LEN WEIN’s) interactions with Jack as fans and pros, unseen Kirby memorabilia, an extensive Kirby pencil art gallery, MARK EVANIER moderating the 2023 Kirby Tribute Panel from Comic-Con International, plus a deluxe wrap-around Kirby cover with foldout back cover flap, inked by MIKE ROYER!
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95
(Digital Edition) $4.99 • Ships Fall 2023

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A few thoughts:

From the original #1 cover

— Destroyer Duck = early Eisner contender.

— The books and mags will be available at comics shops and booksellers but you can already pre-order through TwoMorrows. Click here.

— Check out the links below for more 2023 goodies from TwoMorrows!

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MORE

— NEAL ADAMS to Receive Double-Barrel Salute in 2023. Click here.

— SUPERBOY, SPIDEY and DAREDEVIL Lead Parade of Upcoming BACK ISSUE Mags. Click here.