A new feature documentary, Kirbyvision, is set to explore the life and legacy of comic book legend Jack Kirby. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ricki Stern (Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, UFOs: Investigating the Unknown), the documentary promises to be the definitive look at one of the most influential creators in comic book history.
The film is being produced by Emmy-winning producers Dan Braun and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment (The Andy Warhol Diaries, Wild Wild Country), along with Mike Cecchini, Ron Fogelman, and Chris Longo.
Widely celebrated as a creative visionary, Kirby co-created Captain America alongside Joe Simon in 1941, famously debuting the hero with a cover illustration of Cap punching Adolf Hitler months before the US entered World War II. Over his nearly six-decade career, Kirby played a pivotal role in shaping the Marvel Universe, co-creating legendary characters such as the Avengers, Black Panther, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Thor, and the X-Men, many in collaboration with Stan Lee.
Advertisement At DC Comics, Kirby introduced the ambitious Fourth World saga, featuring characters like Darkseid and Mister Miracle, whose influence still resonates in the company’s storytelling today.
A Long-Overdue Recognition
Jack was not only one of the great comic book artists of all time, but a true visionary genius. In this new feature-length documentary, we actively campaign for the recognition he finally deserves as a leading artist and storyteller of the 20th Century.
Stern said
If there were a Mount Rushmore of 20th-century pop culture luminaries, Jack Kirby should be the first one to be carved into the mountain. Kirbyvision will let audiences experience the full scope of Jack’s limitless imagination, creativity, and heart.
Producer Dan Braun added
Unseen Footage and Exclusive Access
The documentary has secured full cooperation from the Estate of Jack Kirby, represented by the Rosalind Kirby Family Trust. The production team will have exclusive access to personal documents, home movies, and creative materials, much of which has never been publicly available.
Lisa Kirby, the artist’s daughter, expressed her confidence in the project.
We are thrilled to work with such a dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable team of filmmakers. The legacy of Jack Kirby is in good hands, as Ricki, Dan, Josh, Ron, Mike, Chris, and their team share the same creative energy that helped my father create boundless universes of characters that continue to inspire us and shape our imaginations.
she said
A Story of Art, War, and Legacy
The documentary will trace Kirby’s remarkable journey, from growing up in poverty during the Great Depression to serving on the frontlines in World War II, and eventually revolutionizing the comic book industry.
Whether noble underdogs battling extraordinary villains, lowly soldiers in the trenches ripped from his own battlefield experiences, remarkably prescient looks at our potential technological future, or man’s relation to the divine nature of the gods, Kirby’s tales are as universal and human as they are mythic and cosmic in their scope. Kirby’s creations and his subsequent struggles have made him a symbol of the enduring power of storytelling.
notes the production team
Among those involved in the project, Cecchini serves as an executive producer on Does It Fly? from Roddenberry Entertainment and is a trustee of the Jack Kirby Museum. Fogelman co-founded the London Action Festival, while Longo is the chief creative officer at Den of Geek.
Randolph Hoppe, director of the Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center, which is also collaborating on the documentary, emphasized the timeliness of the project.
Now is the perfect time to tell the complete story of the man whose imagination and craft continue to ignite and shape the dreams of new generations. We’re delighted to be working with Ricki and the whole production team to unlock the life story of a true legend.
Hoppe said
With a dedicated team and unprecedented access to Kirby’s personal archives, Kirbyvision aims to celebrate the life and work of a creative giant whose influence still shapes modern pop culture.
Source: Variety