That's the Spirit!

I just received my copy of Spirit World, a slim new hardcover from DC Comics reprinting the material prepared by Jack Kirby (with a smidgen of aid from Steve Sherman and myself) for an aborted magazine experiment back in 1971. You can read how it all came about and what happened in my introduction in the book or you can read this account by my buddy Bob Greenberger. Better still, read both.

I always thought this was great material…and I say that as someone who deserves zero credit for any greatness. It would have been even better if Jack had been allowed to do the project the way he wanted and if we hadn't had to throw the first issue together in, as I recall, about three weeks. But it's still nice work on Jack's part and it pained me at the time that the whole thing crashed and burned even before it had ever reached any of the few newsstands on which it appeared. DC has done a fine job reproducing it and it's all a very nice package, one that made me happy to receive. I suppose it's a testimony to Jack's enduring popularity and talents that even something that was at one time regarded as (arguably) his biggest flop is now deemed worthy of issuance as a deluxe hardcover.

Take a look at it and consider buying one. I don't make a nickel more no matter how well it sells but it tickles me that people are purchasing it now…and if my mail is any indication, enjoying the heck out of it.