Pinkies Up!

So, I’m driving home with Caitlin and listening to Fresh Air on NPR this morning. I have mixed feelings about NPR. Often I love its fresh, independent viewpoints. Other times, I find it dull and pedantic. Today they were featuring an interview with comic book/television writer Mark Evanier. Mark was talking about his new Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of Comics. For those of you who don’t know, Jack Kirby was one of the most important artists in comic book history. He co-created Captain America, Thor, The Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Man, the X-Men, and the New Gods. His dynamic style defined the Silver Age of comics.

It was a fascinating interview that examined Kirby’s legacy and impact on American popular culture. Unfortunately, the final bookend involved a cutesy anecdote from the interviewer about how he sold all of his Marvel Comics to a friend for $75 and would now buy them back for $150.

Ha, ha. Because you see, Kirby’s work and importance is only tied to the monetary value of his commercial output. It’s like the asshat interviewer hadn’t listed to a single goddamn thing that Mark Evanier had said.

To top it off, they sent it out with John Williams’s theme from Superman. Apparently this is because Jack Kirby is best known from his time doing Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen.

Great job, NPR!