Hail to the King!

This year marks 100 years since the legendary comic book creator Jack Kirby was born, and DC Comics is honouring him with a 12-part series starring one of Kirby’s most popular and enduring characters.

The Kamandi Challenge will see 13 creative teams combine to tell one giant story about The Last Boy on Earth, with each new team picking up from the previous issue’s cliffhanger until the finale. Issue one delivers a double-dose of action, with two talented teams telling the tale.

First up are Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen, the team behind the short-lived OMAC series from the New 52, a character inspired by another Kirby creation. For my money, Giffen is the perfect artist for a Kirby tribute book (square fingers and Kirby krackle, anyone?!). The pair started the story with a younger Kamandi looking for answers as to why his life has been completely turned upside down.

Kamandi’s adventures kick into high gear with the debut of the issue’s second creative team, Dan Abnett and Dale Eaglesham. Kamandi finds himself literally a stranger in a strange land, and must rely on his wits and abilities to survive. It’s a raucous ride, one perfect for both new fans and old. Buckle up!

For me, the second half of the issue was superior to the first. That being said, the two halves worked perfectly together, and the stage for issue two and beyond. I was particularly pleased to see hat tips to Kirby and original Kamandi inker Mike Royer in the DiDio/Giffen story. Nice touch, gents.

The creative team for issue two is comprised of Peter J. Tomasi and the incomparable Neal Adams, and I for one cannot wait to see what they have cooked up for our hero.

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