JACK "KING" KIRBY DOES CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED -- THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII !!!

So, I came across this gem recently and have been dying to share it.

The painting that inspired the writing of the novel!

The novel, The Last Days of Pompeii, uses characters to contrast the decadent culture of 1st-century Rome with both older cultures and coming trends. The protagonist, Glaucus, represents the Greeks who have been subordinated by Rome with his nemesis Arbaces the still older culture of Egypt. Olinthus is the chief representative of the recently coming into existence Christian religion. The Witch of Vesuvius, though she has no supernatural powers, shows Bulwer-Lytton's interest in the occult, a theme which would emerge in his later writing, particularly The Coming Race.

Once a very widely read book, now relatively neglected, it culminates in the cataclysmic destruction of Pompeii by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Previous Classics Illustrated replaced by this adaptation!

Classics Illustrated #35 The Last Days of Pompeii 
Illustrated by Jack "King"Kirby, with Dick Ayers inks, delivers an unexpectedly lengthy book adaptation from author Edward Bulwer-Lytton. 

Jack Kirby's original & edited panel from The Last Days of Pompeii!

Like most Classic Illustrated issues, the artwork is simple and straightforward, tempered to fit an  educational tone. Needless to say, Kirby's drawings are still great to enjoy, especially since I've not seen any of it before.

Jack Kirby manages to do a better job than most, controlling the pace and tone of the story. Some panels are more minimal than others. 

Despite the publisher's rigid format, it's fascinating to see Kirby's work in a different context. 

I missed the original, but got the reprint from a few years ago. Awesome!

We all know Jack Kirby for Spirit World, In the Days of the Mob, Kirby Unleashed and a host of Golden & Silver Agent comics. It's great to his the diversity of his enormous scope of work. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Couple of ads for the original Kirby Unleashed!