Skirball highlights the art of Jack Kirby

Now on view at the Skirball Cultural Center is Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity. An artist with a distinct style, Jack Kirby (1917-1994) is the mastermind behind iconic comic book characters such as Captain America, The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, OMAC, X-Men, The Black Panther, Mister Miracle, The Incredible Hulk, The New Gods, and many more. The exhibition runs from May 1, 2025–March 1, 2026.

The Skirball Cultural Center’s exhibition Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity is nothing short of a revelation. A powerful and heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential yet underappreciated figures in American pop culture, the show masterfully blends art, biography, and cultural history to celebrate the legendary comic book artist behind some of the most iconic superheroes of all time.

From Captain America to the X-Men, from the Fantastic Four to the New Gods, Jack Kirby’s dynamic creations leap off the pages and into the gallery walls, reminding visitors that behind every great superhero is a human story just as compelling. What makes this exhibition extraordinary, however, isn’t just the dazzling original artwork—some of it on public view for the first time—but the intimate portrait it illustrates of the artist himself.

A first-generation Jewish American, Kirby was born Jacob Kurtzberg to immigrant parents on Manhattan’s gritty Lower East Side, Kirby’s journey is the quintessential American story: a working-class kid with a pencil and boundless imagination who changed the face of pop culture. The vivid exhibition dives into every chapter of his life—from his early days sketching on scraps of wallpaper, to his time animating for Fleischer Studios, to his harrowing service in WWII, and finally, to his decades of groundbreaking work in comics that helped shape the modern mythos of the superhero.

More than a gallery of comic book legends, Heroes and Humanity is a showcase of the emotional and intellectual depth Kirby brought to a medium long dismissed as juvenile. His pioneering storytelling, kinetic art style, and commitment to diversity expanded the boundaries of what comics could be. The exhibit goes beyond the panels to explore his Jewish heritage, his experience as a first-generation American, his deep patriotism, and his enduring role as a mentor and family man.

Highlights include original hand-drawn comic art brimming with energy, Kirby’s WWII Army uniform, rare family photographs, and personal items generously loaned by the Kirby family. Viewing the intricate pencil work in person—meant originally for fast, mass-market reproduction—is an awe-inspiring experience that reveals the sheer craftsmanship and vision that Kirby brought to every frame.

Co-curated by Patrick A. Reed and Professor Ben Saunders, and organized by Michele Urton, the show is as thoughtfully assembled as it is visually thrilling. The inclusion of daily docent-led tours provides an added layer of insight, making it accessible for both lifelong fans and those new to Kirby’s legacy.

Highlights of objects on display in Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity include:

• Captain America Comics #1
  This issue, depicting Captain America punching Adolf Hitler, was released one year before the U.S. entered World War II, and went on to sell over one million copies.
• Jack Kirby’s US Army Uniform
  On June 21, 1943, Jack Kirby reported for duty in the US Army and was assigned to Company F of the 11th Infantry. He landed on Normandy’s Omaha Beach and fought on the front lines across France under the command of General George S. Patton.
• Tales to Astonish #35, P. 1 (original art)
  This page features the first appearance of Dr. Henry Pym in his super-heroic identity of Ant-Man.
• X-Men #7 (original art)
  This complete set of pages for X-Men #7 allows audiences to see Kirby’s hand-drawn pages for an entire Marvel comic.
• Avengers #1, P. 20 (original art)
  This page depicts the first battle between Iron Man and the Hulk. The two heroes have clashed many times since, in comics, animated cartoons, and on the big screen.
• Darkseid, Unpublished Pencil Portrait (original art)
  Kirby conceived Darkseid as a cosmic fascist dictator, the ultimate villain of the DC Comics universe. This image depicts the character looking down upon the viewer, conveying his arrogant sense of superiority and pride.
• Black Panther Objects
  Jack Kirby’s original presentation drawing (circa 1965) of T’Challa, king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, the first Black superhero to be introduced by a major comic publisher; Tales of Suspense #98 cover art (1968) this cover features The Black Panther alongside Kirby’s other iconically progressive creation, Captain America; an original Black Panther costume from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018).
• Unpublished Personal Works
  In addition to his work in comics, Kirby created numerous pieces that were not intended for publication. Notable examples on display include untitled collages, oversized watercolor The Dream Machine, and illustrations based on his wartime experiences.
• Paul and Linda Meet Magneto, unpublished piece
  Jack and his wife Roz Kirby presented Paul and Linda McCartney with this drawing backstage at the LA Forum in 1976, when Paul was touring with his band Wings.

Jack Kirby helped define the language of comics—and in doing so, helped America tell stories about itself. This exhibition doesn’t just honor him; it acknowledges his rightful place in the pantheon of American creative genius. For anyone who has ever been moved by a comic book, a superhero film, or the power of imagination, Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity is a must-see exhibition.

You can join a docent-led public tour of this exhibition. Tours will begin Thursday, May 29. Visit skirball.org for more information.

Tours: Tuesday–Friday, 2:00 pm
Saturday–Sunday, 12:00 and 2:00 pm

Skirball Cultural Center

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500
info@skirball.org

About the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society.

Visiting the Skirball

The Skirball is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. Museum hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm; closed Mondays and holidays. Reservations are recommended for General Admission and the permanent exhibition Noah’s Ark at the Skirball, which requires timed entry and is ticketed separately. For general information, the public may call (310) 440-4500 or visit skirball.org.