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Kamandi Archives
Kamandi Archives, Vol. 2
The incredible adventures of the Last Boy on Earth continue in this 228-page volume collecting KAMANDI #11-20! This volume features such classic doses of dystopian future-shock by Kirby as "Hell at Hialeah!", "The Human Gophers of Ohio!" and "The Last Gang in Chicago" plus an introduction by KAMANDI inker Mike Royer.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2007
63 people want to read
About the author
Jack Kirby
2,803 books478 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 22, 2022
Volume two is more of the same... the story doesn't really progress very much and not much more is learned about the Kamandi world in any uefull sense. However, Kirby is having a tonne of fun here and the art is top-notch. I'd recommend this to any Kirby fan, and any fan of the first 10 issues (the first volume of this book) ought to also enjoy this one.
It's frustrating the Kirby never finished a story (it either got cancelled, part of an ongoing story like Fantastic Four which is still going-on and full of retcons of Kirby's work, or was taken over by another creator like Kamandi).
I think, however, that this series' strength is in its serialization. Each issue has a new, cool plot and the final panel always gets you pumped to begin the next issue. The over-arching story lacks, but the individual stories are pretty cool.
It's frustrating the Kirby never finished a story (it either got cancelled, part of an ongoing story like Fantastic Four which is still going-on and full of retcons of Kirby's work, or was taken over by another creator like Kamandi).
I think, however, that this series' strength is in its serialization. Each issue has a new, cool plot and the final panel always gets you pumped to begin the next issue. The over-arching story lacks, but the individual stories are pretty cool.
January 23, 2024
This volume contains some of my favorite issues of this zany, madcap series. Giant omnivorous worms, human gophers of Ohio, Watergate tapes inspiring a religious cult of gorillas, giant grasshoppers, a gangster amusement park run amok and these are just some of the stories that will astound you. The only way to describe Kirby's Kamandi is - audacious, and this collection serves that with plenty to spare.
Update: I’ve read these stories so many times, I’ve lost count. It isn’t just nostalgia that keeps me coming back. These stories are full of exciting adventures that never grow old.
Another update: I’ve just reread this and I find myself thinking back to my first encounter with these issues. This volume opens up with what became the first issue of my unbroken run of issues. After having missed half of the issues from the first ten, I knew I needed to ensure I wouldn’t miss anymore, so I purchased my first subscription to a comic book, that began with issue #13. The issues with Kamandi dealing with the Sacker’s Department Store were among my favorites and while I didn’t quite grasp of the significances imbedded in the Watergate and Washington DC stories, I still found them fascinating. I can’t help but feel the Chicago Gangsters arc might have been inspired, at least in part, by the “A Piece of the Action” episode of the original Star Trek series and Westworld/Futureworld films.
Update: I’ve read these stories so many times, I’ve lost count. It isn’t just nostalgia that keeps me coming back. These stories are full of exciting adventures that never grow old.
Another update: I’ve just reread this and I find myself thinking back to my first encounter with these issues. This volume opens up with what became the first issue of my unbroken run of issues. After having missed half of the issues from the first ten, I knew I needed to ensure I wouldn’t miss anymore, so I purchased my first subscription to a comic book, that began with issue #13. The issues with Kamandi dealing with the Sacker’s Department Store were among my favorites and while I didn’t quite grasp of the significances imbedded in the Watergate and Washington DC stories, I still found them fascinating. I can’t help but feel the Chicago Gangsters arc might have been inspired, at least in part, by the “A Piece of the Action” episode of the original Star Trek series and Westworld/Futureworld films.
August 3, 2008
The second volume of the Kamadi Archives starts off with a bang, literally, as the hovercraft we saw Kamandi and his mutant friends Ben, Steve, and Renzi use to escape the doomed Tracking Site explodes somewhere off the coast of what was once Florida. Not to worry, though: Kamandi is soon fished out of the water by some leopards in the employ of Sacker's Salvage, who discover that their rescued "animal" can talk...
Jack Kirby's stories become even more insane in this second ten-issue collection of Kamandi comics. Kamandi meets (and eventually rides!) The Devil, the serpentine businessman Sacker (one of the best-written characters in the first two volumes), Spirit, the topless lookalike sister of the similarly topless Flower who was briefly Kamandi's companion in Volume 1; he travels to Washington to uncover the mystery of the Watergate Tapes (a dated parody, but well worth the background reading!), is captured by gorillas after he attacks a squad of them single-handed, unarmed, and without provocation, falls in with the Gopher Creeps, and runs afoul of robot Gangsters in a curiously undamaged Chicago. Along the way we learn more about the Great Disaster, and we learn the mechanism behind the acquisition of language skills by animals everywhere.
A fun romp, and a delight to fans of Kirby. Well worth reading.
Jack Kirby's stories become even more insane in this second ten-issue collection of Kamandi comics. Kamandi meets (and eventually rides!) The Devil, the serpentine businessman Sacker (one of the best-written characters in the first two volumes), Spirit, the topless lookalike sister of the similarly topless Flower who was briefly Kamandi's companion in Volume 1; he travels to Washington to uncover the mystery of the Watergate Tapes (a dated parody, but well worth the background reading!), is captured by gorillas after he attacks a squad of them single-handed, unarmed, and without provocation, falls in with the Gopher Creeps, and runs afoul of robot Gangsters in a curiously undamaged Chicago. Along the way we learn more about the Great Disaster, and we learn the mechanism behind the acquisition of language skills by animals everywhere.
A fun romp, and a delight to fans of Kirby. Well worth reading.
April 24, 2016
The second Archive Edition of Kirby's Kamandi (and would DC hurry up with getting the rest of Kirby's run "archived", pretty please) collects # 11–20.
The volume offers a visit to Sacker's department store, a race track and other strange future places, encounters with Sacker and his leopard crew, a "devil", Bull Bantam, an old friend and some old enemies. Kamandi is a breath of fresh air, fun adventuring and awesome storytelling, using the medium of comics effectively and with style. I would argue that the ongoing story about "the Last Boy on Earth" is among Kirby's very finest achievements (which of course is not saying little) and this volume is excellent proof of this.
If you have not read the previous ten issues (collected in the first Archives Edition volume), I would heartily recommend you to start there, but if you cannot get a hold of that, you certainly won't have to in order to follow the stories in this volume. It is just that you may enjoy reading the material in order and once one starts, I don't see why one would want to limit one's reading to only this volume. I am still waiting for my third dose — impatiently!
The volume offers a visit to Sacker's department store, a race track and other strange future places, encounters with Sacker and his leopard crew, a "devil", Bull Bantam, an old friend and some old enemies. Kamandi is a breath of fresh air, fun adventuring and awesome storytelling, using the medium of comics effectively and with style. I would argue that the ongoing story about "the Last Boy on Earth" is among Kirby's very finest achievements (which of course is not saying little) and this volume is excellent proof of this.
If you have not read the previous ten issues (collected in the first Archives Edition volume), I would heartily recommend you to start there, but if you cannot get a hold of that, you certainly won't have to in order to follow the stories in this volume. It is just that you may enjoy reading the material in order and once one starts, I don't see why one would want to limit one's reading to only this volume. I am still waiting for my third dose — impatiently!
February 27, 2023
Collectors are the biggest purchasers of prestigious comics reprint editions such as this. Often, they wish to know certain details before purchasing. For them, I will confirm that KAMANDI ARCHIVES, VOLUME 2 collects KAMANDI #s 11-20, originally published in 1973-1974. All stories are written and illustrated by legendary writer/artist Jack Kirby. Original ads and letter pages are not included, although a one-page essay, written by Kirby and originally published in KAMANDI #17, does appear. The book sports an attractive hardcover, with interiors of glossy paper and vibrant colors - a warning to any who hate modern recoloring. Certainly, the book will look nice on the shelf next to Volume 1. It’s worth noting, however, that there is not - and likely never will be - a Volume 3, and the two volumes together represent only half of Kirby’s run. DC has published an omnibus of all forty issues, but it’s rather massive and more expensive.
For casual readers, I’ll note that you don’t have to read Volume 1 first. You’ll have a fuller version of the story if you do, but you won’t be lost. In the 1970s, it was common for readers to come in fresh to a long-running series, so the best creators kept the material inviting.
Nostalgia is a draw here, for some, but if you’re under, say, age 50, then Kirby’s name might be the enticement. Active in comics since before World War II, the man created many notable characters, attracted attention with his dynamic art, launched - with Stan Lee - the modern Marvel universe, and even developed a whole comics genre (The romance comics that he created with frequent collaborator Joe Simon were a big success after the war.). His impact on comics was immense, and thus, his work still attracts interest.
That said, Kirby’s post-1970 work - which includes KAMANDI - tends to be somewhat divisive. Some feel that dialogue and characterization suffered when Kirby parted ways with Stan Lee. To such people, I often note that Kirby’s characters are actually quite memorable and well-defined, and it’s unsurprising that later writers kept reviving them. Kirby, however, was in some ways an old-fashioned writer who prioritized concepts and plots, whereas modern audiences tend to prefer character-focused fare. For some of us, those plots and concepts are worth the price of admission, and while you won’t see a character arc here for Kamandi, he and other colorful personages just might capture your imagination, nonetheless.
In fact, KAMANDI is a great vehicle for Kirby. Whereas some of his works - such as the Fourth World books and THE ETERNALS - contain lofty themes, KAMANDI seems breezy and fun, and allows Kirby to cut loose with crazy ideas.
The titular character emerges from a bunker into a future world where evolved zoo animals represent “civilization,” and humans have become feral. In Volume Two, Kirby’s “crazy ideas” include a ruthless businessman who is a large anthropomorphized snake (Well, I didn’t say that Kirby was subtle!), a giant grasshopper-like insect that Kamandi tames, “human gophers” of Ohio, pirate leopards, a giant man-eating worm, a hidden city of 1920s gangsters (or are they?) and gorilla cultists who guard the Nixon tapes. Some of Kirby’s ideas land better than others (The Watergate issue was a low point to me.), and yes, there is, at times, a sense of Kirby “throwing spaghetti at the wall.” On the other hand, there’s a certain giddiness to seeing such raw creativity on display.
In many ways, KAMANDI seems an old fashioned “boy’s adventure story,” albeit one on a more epic scale. There are few female characters - another element that might understandably prompt some modern readers to walk away (For the record, this isn’t true of all of Kirby’s work.). For better or worse, however, KAMANDI did speak to the “little boy” inside of me, and that little boy had a heck of a good time. That little boy also loved Kirby’s art , which featured sprawling panels, and heroic and villainous characters constantly in motion and often in battle.
Kirby’s KAMANDI unquestionably has its merits, then, although obviously, it’s not for everyone. For Kirby and KAMANDI neophytes, my review hopefully provides a sense of what’s in store. If it doesn’t sound like your cuppa tea, then it probably isn’t. If, on the other hand, my description tickles your curiosity, then by all means, dive in. You might just have a blast.
For casual readers, I’ll note that you don’t have to read Volume 1 first. You’ll have a fuller version of the story if you do, but you won’t be lost. In the 1970s, it was common for readers to come in fresh to a long-running series, so the best creators kept the material inviting.
Nostalgia is a draw here, for some, but if you’re under, say, age 50, then Kirby’s name might be the enticement. Active in comics since before World War II, the man created many notable characters, attracted attention with his dynamic art, launched - with Stan Lee - the modern Marvel universe, and even developed a whole comics genre (The romance comics that he created with frequent collaborator Joe Simon were a big success after the war.). His impact on comics was immense, and thus, his work still attracts interest.
That said, Kirby’s post-1970 work - which includes KAMANDI - tends to be somewhat divisive. Some feel that dialogue and characterization suffered when Kirby parted ways with Stan Lee. To such people, I often note that Kirby’s characters are actually quite memorable and well-defined, and it’s unsurprising that later writers kept reviving them. Kirby, however, was in some ways an old-fashioned writer who prioritized concepts and plots, whereas modern audiences tend to prefer character-focused fare. For some of us, those plots and concepts are worth the price of admission, and while you won’t see a character arc here for Kamandi, he and other colorful personages just might capture your imagination, nonetheless.
In fact, KAMANDI is a great vehicle for Kirby. Whereas some of his works - such as the Fourth World books and THE ETERNALS - contain lofty themes, KAMANDI seems breezy and fun, and allows Kirby to cut loose with crazy ideas.
The titular character emerges from a bunker into a future world where evolved zoo animals represent “civilization,” and humans have become feral. In Volume Two, Kirby’s “crazy ideas” include a ruthless businessman who is a large anthropomorphized snake (Well, I didn’t say that Kirby was subtle!), a giant grasshopper-like insect that Kamandi tames, “human gophers” of Ohio, pirate leopards, a giant man-eating worm, a hidden city of 1920s gangsters (or are they?) and gorilla cultists who guard the Nixon tapes. Some of Kirby’s ideas land better than others (The Watergate issue was a low point to me.), and yes, there is, at times, a sense of Kirby “throwing spaghetti at the wall.” On the other hand, there’s a certain giddiness to seeing such raw creativity on display.
In many ways, KAMANDI seems an old fashioned “boy’s adventure story,” albeit one on a more epic scale. There are few female characters - another element that might understandably prompt some modern readers to walk away (For the record, this isn’t true of all of Kirby’s work.). For better or worse, however, KAMANDI did speak to the “little boy” inside of me, and that little boy had a heck of a good time. That little boy also loved Kirby’s art , which featured sprawling panels, and heroic and villainous characters constantly in motion and often in battle.
Kirby’s KAMANDI unquestionably has its merits, then, although obviously, it’s not for everyone. For Kirby and KAMANDI neophytes, my review hopefully provides a sense of what’s in store. If it doesn’t sound like your cuppa tea, then it probably isn’t. If, on the other hand, my description tickles your curiosity, then by all means, dive in. You might just have a blast.
March 14, 2018
i read to or three issue when these came out but didn't get them, Kamandi wasn't a super-hero, Kirby wasn't Neal Adams or Dick Giordano or Marshall Rogers. Now i see why people love Kirby - the writing and art fly, the comics don't need a vr machine to be read because they are so real. Mike Royer's inks and intro are perfect.
August 30, 2014
More Kirby silliness, as Kamandi continues his quest for ... whatever he is questing for in a future America where animals (or some, anyway) have become intelligent and humans have degenerated, for the most part, to animal status. Why the animals gained intelligence is finally explained here; why humans lost it, not so much. Kirby seems inconsistent on this front, or perhaps simply unsure. The ongoing assumption that this situation represents a reversal of the natural order is grating. Kirby's art is of course dynamic and vibrant, but the stories are generally pretty thin and implausible. My favourite: the one where we discover a cult that is obsessed by the Watergate tapes, playing them at enhanced volumes to use them as a weapon. Political allegory? Maybe, but of what, who knows?
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July 31, 2011I not only just read all the Kirby issues of Kamandi (#1-40) but also all the post-Kirby ones (#41-59)—as actual comic issues, so including it here as a volume is a cheat. Hoo, boy, it took a nose-dive after Kirby left. But it's still an amazing, high-concept series. In that period of his life, his imagination was like a firehose set on full blast and no one bothering to try to cap it.
January 3, 2012
Volume 2 of Kamandi is more of the same-if you liked Volume 1, you'll like this too. The only reason I dropped it down a star is because the inker/letterer changes towards the end of the volume and the art suffers.
February 14, 2016
I read these in the original comic format when they came out. Jack Kirby changed his style in the early 1970s and I fell out of being a fan of his art and stories, overall I never could seem to get into the books. If you are a Kirby fan then these are the core of his creation. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews