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Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #21-40
Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth Omnibus, Vol. 2
At last, DC presents the adventures of Kamandi, the last boy on Earth, in the popular Jack Kirby Omnibus format! In these tales from KAMANDI #21-40, Kamandi - one of the few survivors of a Great Disaster that has destroyed civilization -- must make search for a safe haven in a world populated by bizarre mutated animals and other strange wonders! Considered one of Jack Kirby's most creative works, KAMANDI features a band of anthropomorphic supporting characters who accompany Kamandi as he searches for answers and adventure across the wastelands of Earth.In this final volume of the series, Kamandi faces danger from a giant, monstrous crab creature and an intelligent killer whale, and is hunted by the Sacker Company as a valuable intelligent human. In what is considered the series' greatest tale, Kamandi is forced to compete with the leader of a gorilla clan for the ultimate prize: Superman's costume!
424 pages, Hardcover
First published December 18, 2012
20 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Jack Kirby
2,815 books479 followersJack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching back to the earliest days of the medium. He was also a comic book writer and editor. His most common nickname is "The King."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 29, 2025
While the stories are not a good as the first 20 in Volume 1 this is still a nice throwback read. I remember these from my early comics collecting days. Recommended
June 19, 2022
What happens when you mix Planet of the Apes with The Jungle Books, a healthy dose of Jonny Quest with a dash of Tarzan of the Apes and just a pinch of Lord of the Flies? You get the surreal, over-the-top, outrageously bizarre world of Kamandi as only the one-and-only Jack Kirby could conceive. Here's a world where humanity has become nothing but the lowest of beasts and the animals walk & talk like humans once did. This second volume includes material from Kamandi #21-40 and finishes off the issues that Kirby contributed to in the series. Our hero, Kamandi, continues his seemingly endless quest to find some place to call home in this strange, weird, tumultuous world after the Great Disaster has completely twisted the planet we might have recognized. Every summer when I was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, the Kamandi series was required reading for me. I would get a never-ending vicarious thrill re-reading about his cliff-hanger escapes from impossible situations. This was Kirby at his best (well, maybe that was actually the Fantastic Four or the New Gods or ... too many to keep mentioning) ... suffice to say I love this stuff. For me, it doesn't get any better than Kamandi.
Update: The last 3 issues included in this volume, while drawn by Kirby, were not written by him and the harbinger a drastic and fundamental change in the nature of this series. After Kirby left the series continued for another 19 issues, but those issues become increasingly chaotic and unfocused. The 37 issues that Kirby wrote had a clear adventurous flavor that is almost unparalleled in comic books, but the last 3 issues in this volume provide a taste of the loss of the flavor of that pure unadulterated adventure. And unfortunately it is these last 22 issues of the Kamandi series upon which the recent The Kamandi Challenge draws its inspiration, not the 37 issues written by Kirby.
Update: The last 3 issues included in this volume, while drawn by Kirby, were not written by him and the harbinger a drastic and fundamental change in the nature of this series. After Kirby left the series continued for another 19 issues, but those issues become increasingly chaotic and unfocused. The 37 issues that Kirby wrote had a clear adventurous flavor that is almost unparalleled in comic books, but the last 3 issues in this volume provide a taste of the loss of the flavor of that pure unadulterated adventure. And unfortunately it is these last 22 issues of the Kamandi series upon which the recent The Kamandi Challenge draws its inspiration, not the 37 issues written by Kirby.
August 18, 2023
What happens when you mix Planet of the Apes with The Jungle Books, a healthy dose of Jonny Quest with a dash of Tarzan of the Apes and just a pinch of Lord of the Flies? You get the surreal, over-the-top, outrageously bizarre world of Kamandi as only the one-and-only Jack Kirby could conceive. Here's a world where humanity has become nothing but the lowest of beasts and the animals walk & talk like humans once did. This second volume includes material from Kamandi #21-40 and finishes off the issues that Kirby contributed to in the series. Our hero, Kamandi, continues his seemingly endless quest to find some place to call home in this strange, weird, tumultuous world after the Great Disaster has completely twisted the planet we might have recognized. Every summer when I was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, the Kamandi series was required reading for me. I would get a never-ending vicarious thrill re-reading about his cliff-hanger escapes from impossible situations. This was Kirby at his best (well, maybe that was actually the Fantastic Four or the New Gods or ... too many to keep mentioning) ... suffice to say I love this stuff. For me, it doesn't get any better than Kamandi.
Update: The last 3 issues included in this volume, while drawn by Kirby, were not written by him and they harbinger a drastic and fundamental change in the nature of this series. After Kirby left, the series continued for another 19 issues, but those issues become increasingly chaotic and unfocused. The 37 issues that Kirby wrote had a clear adventurous flavor that is almost unparalleled in comic books, but the last 3 issues in this volume provide a taste of the loss of the flavor of that pure unadulterated adventure. And unfortunately it is these last 22 issues of the Kamandi series upon which the recent The Kamandi Challenge draws its inspiration, not the 37 issues written by Kirby.
Update: The last 3 issues included in this volume, while drawn by Kirby, were not written by him and they harbinger a drastic and fundamental change in the nature of this series. After Kirby left, the series continued for another 19 issues, but those issues become increasingly chaotic and unfocused. The 37 issues that Kirby wrote had a clear adventurous flavor that is almost unparalleled in comic books, but the last 3 issues in this volume provide a taste of the loss of the flavor of that pure unadulterated adventure. And unfortunately it is these last 22 issues of the Kamandi series upon which the recent The Kamandi Challenge draws its inspiration, not the 37 issues written by Kirby.
August 31, 2013
I enjoyed this collection more than the previous one. The first collection had a feeling of one story going into the next one, while this one is a bit more of one story flowing into the next one, if that makes sense. It's a bit more organic feeling, rather than just a feeling of "here's what Kamandi's doing this week". It might have something to do with the fact that Kamandi spends most of this collection with a companion of sorts, first with Ben, then later with Doctor Canus. They are getting involved in the story and not having a story thrust on to them.
The art in this book is awesome. It might be my favorite of Kirby's work. I just love all the animals. It's taking me some time to read these Kirby omnibus's because I just get so caught up in staring at the artwork.
The art in this book is awesome. It might be my favorite of Kirby's work. I just love all the animals. It's taking me some time to read these Kirby omnibus's because I just get so caught up in staring at the artwork.
June 22, 2023
Kirby's second volume of Kamandi is still fun in a "teenage boy punches his way through a post-apocalyptic America inhabited by intelligent animals" kind of way, but the book downshifts into formula in volume two, losing some of the gonzo creative energy of the first volume.
There's still radioactive giant bees, spooky psychic mutants and sentient dolphins in the ruins of Lake Michigan (including a potential love interest?). It's fun and engaging, but I wasn't broken-hearted to see the run end at the close of this volume.
There's still radioactive giant bees, spooky psychic mutants and sentient dolphins in the ruins of Lake Michigan (including a potential love interest?). It's fun and engaging, but I wasn't broken-hearted to see the run end at the close of this volume.
February 13, 2026
Goodreads doesn't seem to have a place for the more recent trade paperback released only a few years ago, so this review is for the content than this specific books format. This is just so much fun throughout, better than vol 1, action packed stories, plenty of humour, and those Kirby splash pages, just awesome stuff. I even liked the Conway penned final 3 issues of the volume. It's a easy five stars, no question.
March 22, 2025
Kirby is the King!!!!!!!!
I have been a reader and learned to draw from Jack Kirby!!!! I have read his stuff since I was about seven or so😁 A wonderful mentor who created a whole world for me to read and learn to draw from. In a simple phrase "THE BEST"!!!!!!!!!! A great ful reader and artist😀
I have been a reader and learned to draw from Jack Kirby!!!! I have read his stuff since I was about seven or so😁 A wonderful mentor who created a whole world for me to read and learn to draw from. In a simple phrase "THE BEST"!!!!!!!!!! A great ful reader and artist😀
April 20, 2021
Divertido como el tomo anterior. Lástima el final apresurado.
June 25, 2021
Una lastima el final abrupto y que los últimos números el guión no sea de kirby. Igualmente el viaje a través de los 40 números es alucinante y super recomendable para cualquier fan del rey
July 8, 2025
2nd of the classic comic that was my fav as a kid
May 13, 2024
Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth Omnibus, Vol. 2 is a comic book collection compiled and published in the trade paperback format. The editors collected issues #20 - 40, reprinted the issues on glossy paper, and slapped it between two hardcover plates with a nice cover and decent back page. The artwork is classic Jack Kirby so definitely stellar in my opinion.
If you have never read Kamandi, I would recommend the first volume as a primer to the second. The world of Earth AD (After Disaster) is shocking because there was a cataclysmic nuclear event (which has not yet been explored nor identified) causing biological upheaval, but the physical world has altered as well. Societal groups have broken down. Cities and governmental institutions look desolate, rife with garbage and disease.
The human population that sought shelter in bunkers were few, but they survived unchanged. While those that never found shelter experienced a radical transformation of declining intellect. Also, the animal population became smarter and walks on two legs rather than four. The flora has become less hospitable as well.
Kamandi was fortunate to be raised by his grandfather in a bunker. He was schooled via books and microfilm. When he could no longer live in the bunker, he was forced to make his way in a new, more dangerous world. Swiftly, he learned that humanity had taken a giant evolutionary leap backwards. Animals and monstrous creatures now dominated the landscape. Every day is a new adventure and every adventure may prove to be his last.
The last five issues of the Omnibus (36 -40), Kirby took less and less part of the work. Gerry Conway stepped in which is not bad, but he is no Jack Kirby. The stories might have become a little more fantastic, but I kind of liked what Kirby was doing.
If you have never read Kamandi, I would recommend the first volume as a primer to the second. The world of Earth AD (After Disaster) is shocking because there was a cataclysmic nuclear event (which has not yet been explored nor identified) causing biological upheaval, but the physical world has altered as well. Societal groups have broken down. Cities and governmental institutions look desolate, rife with garbage and disease.
The human population that sought shelter in bunkers were few, but they survived unchanged. While those that never found shelter experienced a radical transformation of declining intellect. Also, the animal population became smarter and walks on two legs rather than four. The flora has become less hospitable as well.
Kamandi was fortunate to be raised by his grandfather in a bunker. He was schooled via books and microfilm. When he could no longer live in the bunker, he was forced to make his way in a new, more dangerous world. Swiftly, he learned that humanity had taken a giant evolutionary leap backwards. Animals and monstrous creatures now dominated the landscape. Every day is a new adventure and every adventure may prove to be his last.
The last five issues of the Omnibus (36 -40), Kirby took less and less part of the work. Gerry Conway stepped in which is not bad, but he is no Jack Kirby. The stories might have become a little more fantastic, but I kind of liked what Kirby was doing.
August 26, 2025
https://youtu.be/_PfpUxArkkI?si=b4mfp...
Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth was born out of DC Comics’ frustration at losing the Planet of the Apes license to Marvel. Jack “the King” Kirby, having recently defected from Marvel to DC, was tasked with creating something “like” Planet of the Apes. What he came up with was Planet of the Apes, Dogs, Wolves, Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Dolphins, Snakes, Crocodiles… and I’m probably missing some. There’s at least one telepathic lobster.
Like in Planet of the Apes the human population of the “A.D.”—After Disaster—world have been reduced to mute savagery and just about every other species has gained human intelligence, the ability to speak English, use technology and weapons, and fight with each other, battle monsters, and otherwise create their own civilizations in the ruins of a post-human world.
This volume collects issues 21-40, which includes the GIANT issue 32 with a biographical sketch of Jack Kirby and the full map of the “A.D.” world. That issue also reprinted the first issue, but that’s not included in this collection. This run went from September 1974 to April 1976. After issue 40, Kirby left and the series limped along for a while with other artists then sort of faded away.
Gerry Conway took over as cover artist and “editor” on issue 34 then took over writing duties too starting with issue 38, and it’s here that there’s a noticeable decline in the quality, detail, and general dynamism of Kirby’s art. It’s sad, but the last three or four issues of Kirby’s run just sort of run out of steam.
What’s great about Kamandi is the pure craziness of it. It’s way, way over the highest reaches of “the top.” There are a few moments where it starts to feel formulaic—Kamandi is treated like and called an animal by some anthropomorphized animals, gets pissed off, and things go sideways from there—but they go sideways in a wild range of different ways that I just found endlessly delightful. Both of these books made me laugh, actually shocked me, made me wonder what Kirby was thinking—or smoking—when he thought up this stuff. It’s crazy fun.
Is it all super great? Well, there are a few weaknesses…
Travel times are really just ignored. Kamandi and other characters to just arrive at parts of the US that are hundreds of miles apart. Kirby basically “fast travels” him wherever he wants to set the next story.
The small cast of supporting characters come in and out as Kirby decides he wants them back, relying almost entirely on coincidence. Like… “Kamandi, what are you doing here?” Coincidences happen in real life and certainly can happen in stories too, but in this case it’s taken to an extreme that really just feels lazy. But then the story starts up and I tended to be like, “Okay, a Ben Boxer story—let's go!”
This isn’t a lesson in story structure, that’s for sure, but more one of pure imagination and the joy of increasingly bizarre science fiction adventure stories. And that’s what I signed up for. If you absolutely require more, let’s say… thought put into things like plausible and immersive worldbuilding and story structure… this won’t be for you—unless you decide to turn off that requirement. If you can flip that switch I promise you will have a blast with Kamandi.
Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth was born out of DC Comics’ frustration at losing the Planet of the Apes license to Marvel. Jack “the King” Kirby, having recently defected from Marvel to DC, was tasked with creating something “like” Planet of the Apes. What he came up with was Planet of the Apes, Dogs, Wolves, Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Dolphins, Snakes, Crocodiles… and I’m probably missing some. There’s at least one telepathic lobster.
Like in Planet of the Apes the human population of the “A.D.”—After Disaster—world have been reduced to mute savagery and just about every other species has gained human intelligence, the ability to speak English, use technology and weapons, and fight with each other, battle monsters, and otherwise create their own civilizations in the ruins of a post-human world.
This volume collects issues 21-40, which includes the GIANT issue 32 with a biographical sketch of Jack Kirby and the full map of the “A.D.” world. That issue also reprinted the first issue, but that’s not included in this collection. This run went from September 1974 to April 1976. After issue 40, Kirby left and the series limped along for a while with other artists then sort of faded away.
Gerry Conway took over as cover artist and “editor” on issue 34 then took over writing duties too starting with issue 38, and it’s here that there’s a noticeable decline in the quality, detail, and general dynamism of Kirby’s art. It’s sad, but the last three or four issues of Kirby’s run just sort of run out of steam.
What’s great about Kamandi is the pure craziness of it. It’s way, way over the highest reaches of “the top.” There are a few moments where it starts to feel formulaic—Kamandi is treated like and called an animal by some anthropomorphized animals, gets pissed off, and things go sideways from there—but they go sideways in a wild range of different ways that I just found endlessly delightful. Both of these books made me laugh, actually shocked me, made me wonder what Kirby was thinking—or smoking—when he thought up this stuff. It’s crazy fun.
Is it all super great? Well, there are a few weaknesses…
Travel times are really just ignored. Kamandi and other characters to just arrive at parts of the US that are hundreds of miles apart. Kirby basically “fast travels” him wherever he wants to set the next story.
The small cast of supporting characters come in and out as Kirby decides he wants them back, relying almost entirely on coincidence. Like… “Kamandi, what are you doing here?” Coincidences happen in real life and certainly can happen in stories too, but in this case it’s taken to an extreme that really just feels lazy. But then the story starts up and I tended to be like, “Okay, a Ben Boxer story—let's go!”
This isn’t a lesson in story structure, that’s for sure, but more one of pure imagination and the joy of increasingly bizarre science fiction adventure stories. And that’s what I signed up for. If you absolutely require more, let’s say… thought put into things like plausible and immersive worldbuilding and story structure… this won’t be for you—unless you decide to turn off that requirement. If you can flip that switch I promise you will have a blast with Kamandi.
February 24, 2013
Never read these as a kid, but it's sheer goofy fun to read them now. Kirby's imagination was running wild as he brought Kamandi to new places on post-Apocalyptic Earth. There are intelligent dolphins living in Lake Superior, now called Monster Lake, with an advanced civilization--made me wonder if David Brin ever read this before writing Sundiver. Kamandi reunites with his father-figure Ben Boxer and continues to travel into Canada. They meet one of the funniest characters Kirby ever created, Captain Pypar, a British bulldog commanding an infantry troop that must defend the Canadian wilderness from deforestation. Kirby really starts to take Kamandi in an interesting direction towards the end, when he meets a new alien life form and gets caught in the middle of a war. The last few issues signal the end of Kirby's tenure at DC Comics, with the very last one written by Gerry Conway. Too bad, I wish Kirby could have done this series for a 100 issues!
January 23, 2013
The fun continues in Volume 2! I love the part where the female dolphin has a crush on Kamandi. Ha, ha! Not nearly as serious as the New Gods stuff. It's more goofy like the early Fantastic Four stuff. But it's epic in it's span for ADVENTURE!!!
January 12, 2015
Still a guilty pleasure comic with bad writing, derivative concepts, and flat art. Much of this volume was forgettable, save for Captain Pypar the Brittanek dragoonsman, who was the high point of the entire series. Everything else was skimmable, sometimes-fun schlock.
May 10, 2013
Not quite as engaging as the first volume, but still great adventure comics from Kirby.
July 14, 2013
More over-the-top post-apocalyptic fun with Jack Kirby. Hopefully DC will produce a third omnibus that will collect the remaining, non-Kirby stories.
March 7, 2017
Finally got around to finishing this. Been picking away at it for the last year or so.
August 27, 2016
the future continues !!!!
October 1, 2013
Fun comics!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews