Has it come to this?
The NY Times reported yesterday that a would-be treasure trove of concept characters drafted by Jack Kirby — the legendary comic book artist who created or co-created, among others, Captain America, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and the Hulk — would be adapted to a variety of media formats by old-school producers Joe Ruby, Ken Spears, and Sid and Marty Krofft.
The four are responsible for classic children’s TV show fare like “H. R. Pufnstuf,” and “Land of the Lost.”
The Kirby art numbered at over 600 pages and was found sitting around in a warehouse of cartoon company Ruby-Spears (“Thundarr the Barbarian,” anyone?). Featured among the production drawings, which Kirby worked on after leaving the comics world and moving into animation, are “Roxie’s Raiders,” an “Indiana Jones”-style serial about a female adventurer and her allies; “Golden Shield,” about an ancient Mayan hero seeking to save earth in the apocalyptic year 2012; and “The Gargoids,” about scientists who gain superpowers after being infected by an alien virus.”
Well, that sounds…awfully familiar — we’re not in the business of dethroning legends (not too much, anyway) and Kirby was a hardworking artist who earned his keep, but half-baked ideas do not adaptations make.
The Kroffts were also behind the disastrous 2009 remake of “Land of the Lost,” and thinking that they are going to milk this for all its worth does not make us happy. Here’s hoping somebody sensible steps in and puts forward the hard work needed to turn concept art into a full-fledged motion picture or two. Or a TV show. Or a half decent video game even. Jack Kirby deserves better.
