TOYHEM! A fabulous, photographic tour de force by CHRIS FRANKLIN…
—
Welcome to TOYHEM! For the seventh straight holiday season, we’re bringing you a series of features and columns celebrating the toys of our youth, which often made for the best memories this time of year. Click here to check out the complete index of stories — and have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays! — Dan
—
By CHRIS FRANKLIN
Earlier this year I created an article for 13th Dimension showcasing the Golden Age Batman figures from Mezco’s One:12 Collective line. There, I took those amazingly crafted figures and had them “act out” some famous Batman and Detective Comics covers.
Last year, Mezco began releasing Silver Age Marvel figures primarily based on the works of artists Steve Ditko, John Romita, and of course, Jack Kirby. I received the Silver Age Captain America figure some time back, and instantly knew I wanted to give it a similar treatment: placing their Kirbyesque Cap figure in action on some of the King’s most famous Silver and Bronze Age Tales of Suspense and Captain America covers.
The figure is wonderful amalgamation of Kirby’s take, filtered through Mezco’s own house style, and a slight bit of realism. It’s loaded with some fun accessories like extra heads, tons of hands, several shield strap options, the Madbomb (!), and multiple shield effects. I particularly like the ricochet effect as seen here:
Marvel Legends Red Skull not included. But be sure to take every opportunity to clobber a Nazi!
When I took the photos and began to drop the figures into the covers, however, something was missing. No figure, no matter how well-crafted, could capture the energy and power of Kirby’s creations. So, I had to plus things a bit with Photoshop (not AI, so put down your pitchforks).
Kirby demands forced perspective and exaggerated posturing, and so I digitally manipulated the figures to try and capture that unique Kirby aesthetic, while still showcasing this fantastic figure. Captain America is my favorite Marvel hero, and the 1960s Stan Lee/Kirby stories are some of my favorite comics of all time. I first fell in love with them when they were adapted into episodes of The Marvel Super Heroes cartoon, which I watched via reruns in the ’80s.
This project brought me back to the joy I had, glued to my TV set, as Kirby’s artwork fwooshed across my screen.
Based on the cover of Tales of Suspense #80 (Aug. 1966) by Jack Kirby and Don Heck.
—
Based on the cover of Captain America #106 (Oct.1968) by Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia
—
Based on the cover of Captain America #193 (Jan. 1976) by Jack Kirby and John Romita
—
MORE
— The Complete TOYHEM INDEX of Stories and Features. Click here.
— Dig This Gallery of Glorious BATMAN Golden Age Covers — MEZCO Style. Click here.
—
13th Dimension contributor CHRIS FRANKLIN is a graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and podcaster, who co-hosts and produces several shows on the Fire and Water Podcast Network, including Superman Movie Minute. Check out his illustrative and design work at chrisfranklincreative.com.
