Every Sunday morning we showcase a classic comic cover, complete with compelling pop culture commentary, for your cordial contemplation. It’s the Classic Comic Cover Corner!
Devil Dinosaur #5 – August, 1978
Cover art by Jack Kirby
I recently stumbled across an Internet article headline that caught my attention: “Why Dinosaurs Would Have Never Built Spaceships,” from Forbes.com of all places (sarcastically well known for their science and science-fiction musings.) Little did I know that dinosaurs and spaceships are actually a thing (apparently rooted in Doctor Who mythos), as are aliens and dinosaurs (just Google aliens + dinosaurs to see what I mean – or simply click here.) But when I think dinosaurs, spaceships and aliens I think of Jack Kirby’s Devil Dinosaur.
Now scientists will tell you that dinosaurs and cavemen never lived together, but in 1978 that didn’t stop the ‘King of Comics’ from throwing the two species together (with a red tyrannosaurus rex and his sidekick, a man-ape called Moonboy) and mixing them up with a little alien action to boot.
As for questioning whether dinosaurs could ever evolve enough to build and pilot a spacecraft, Kirby didn’t need a fancy scientific study or Forbes magazine to conclude that it was impossible; he just needed a blank comic-book page and his endless imagination. (Just check out this panel from Devil Dinosaur #5.)
The short (9-issue) run of Devil Dinosaur was truly one of Kirby’s kookier creations and I think that’s the reason the characters have stood the test of time and have become so beloved by fans. This past week Marvel announced that the big red dinosaur will be making a return in next November’s planned post-Secret Wars comic-book series, “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” by writers Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare, with artist Natacha Bustos.
Moonboy is going to be replaced by a girl-genius with Inhuman genes, called Moon Girl; and the story will be set in modern times and geared towards all-age readers. I’m assuming Devil Dinosaur will also be sufficiently diverse, politically correct and non-offensive to lizard-kind. All joking aside, this new book sounds like a hoot and I’m looking forward to it.
Speaking of things to look forward to: The late Jack Kirby’s 98th birthday is fast approaching (August 28 to be exact), and our hometown of Phoenix is planning a big shindig that you don’t want to miss. Read all about it HERE and we’ll see you there!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook!
