Jack Kirby, Comics Studies, and Collaborative Authorship in American Popular Culture

Webinar Details

Jack Kirby (1917–1994) was one of the most influential creators in American comic book history. From his early work in newspapers and animation to his collaborations with Joe Simon, his groundbreaking years at Marvel Comics, and his later work developing the “Fourth World” at DC Comics, Kirby helped shape the visual language and storytelling traditions of modern popular culture.

This webinar examines Kirby’s career as a lens for exploring the comics medium and the collaborative nature of artistic production. Participants will consider how comic books differ from other forms of visual storytelling, how Kirby used the comic book page to construct narrative, and how questions of authorship emerge within the collaborative process of comics publishing. Educators will gain strategies for incorporating comics into humanities classrooms while encouraging students to analyze visual storytelling, popular culture, collaboration, and authorship.

Instructor: Craig Fischer, Appalachian State University