Monday 11 May 2015

Jack Kirby - HOPE poster

I created a Jack Kirby portrait for a show recently, and went through a lengthy process deciding which look to go for. After lots of messing around and trying different effects, backgrounds, I ended up with a much simpler version, a straight homage to Shepard Fairey's iconic Obama "HOPE" poster. 

Barack Obama "Hope" poster is an image of Barack Obama designed by artist Shepard Fairey

The final version was printed as a limited edition poster. I made Kirby a little younger and gave him a wry smile, it seemed fitting given the recent Marvel/Disney/Kirby Estate court ruling.I still have a soft spot for that first one with the gold effect though..... here they are in order.


Jack Kirby Gold Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

Jack Kirby Portrait - by Russell Payne

If you want to know more about Jack Kirby, the man behind the Avengers, the X-Men, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer and Paranex the Fighting Fetus, visit the Jack Kirby Museum website.