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Kirby Art Inside Amazing Fantasy #15

Of course, everyone knows that Jack Kirby designed the original version of Spider-Man, which never got used. We know, also, that Kirby pencilled the cover to Spidey’s first appearance, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962)—because the original cover Ditko drew was rejected by Stan Lee.

But how about Kirby artwork inside this landmark comic? Well, surely, the iconic origin story is fully-pencilled & inked by Mr Ditko. But there’s one aspect I never paid much attention to before—the teeny-tiny Spidey figure at the top right of the opening splash page…

AF15 pg1
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Hot and Saucy

Well… the extent to which I will discuss the last six days is: I’ve been working at the Hot Sauce offices on a Jonathan Ross show that is comics-related. I don’t want to divulge the subject until it seems appropriate to do so, but suffice it to say, I believe it will be a very interesting and worthwhile project.

Today, after a week of helping with research materials, briefs and arranging interviews, as well as contributing some questions for interview subjects, I was around for the shooting of some original artwork from Jonathan’s collection. JR had places to be, so I was quite honoured to be asked to stay around and help select which pieces to shoot. It was a fun day. On the whole, it’s been an enormously positive experience.
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Gallery of Wonder

Meeting Jonathan Ross and crew at the Hot Sauce offices, Paul and I were treated to sensory overload, trying to take in just a portion of the original comic artwork he has stored in a number of drawers (not to mention the small selection hung on sundry wallspace, including the toilet!). JR could start his own gallery single-handed. The artists covered are innumerable, though there is an emphasis on Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, who have drawers mostly to themselves. To say the collection is awesome would be no kind of understatement.

The offices also are crammed in every corner with all kinds of toys, videos and media. It’s quite an experience to browse the place. Here’s JR sitting at his desk…

Jonathan Ross Hotsauce Office January 16 2007

And here’s me and Paul posing with JR and the slightly wonderful double-page spread from Devil Dinosaur #1:
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