Jacked Kirby

On Saturday, December 15th 2018, we went LIVE for episode 41! But unfortunate computer issues forced us to scrap that live show. :/ Soldiering on, your intrepid hosts Mike D. & Tommy decided to keep the holiday-themed episode plan by focusing on two Christmas-centric stories Jack worked on for DC Comics; ‘The Sandman in The Seal Men’s War on Santa Claus’ and ‘The Boy Commandos in A Break For Santa’. Enjoy the show, folks!  Happy Xmas and Happy New Year!   •Music- “Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Welcome to Episode 40... our worst episode yet! Mike D. & Tommy were tired and ill prepared while trying to deliver an episode focusing on some random characters Jack worked on during his last days at DC Comics in the mid-‘70s. There are audible yawns, unrelated tangents, rapping, good hearty laughs, and shout outs!  (Hey, they can’t all be winners, folks.)   •Music- “Get Money” by Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Stan Lee passed away on November 12th, 2018. In this episode of the show, Tommy & Mike D. are joined by Jacked Kirby co-producer and technical whiz ROB MARTIN (of Cultural Compulsive Disorder. www.CCD.NYC) to discuss the legacy... and controversies... of this iconoclast who co-created with The King some of pop-culture’s/comicdom’s most beloved characters. Excelsior!    *Stick around after OUR show for a bonus; WBAI’s Earthwatch radio show appearance of Jack Kirby on his 70th birthday (August 28th, 1987), wherein he gets a surprise phone call from Stan “The Man” Lee!  •Music- “I’m the Man” by Joe Jackson

From beneath the surface of the Earth, Gary returns to talk with Tommy & Mike D. about Marvel Comics’ time traveling fiend RAMA TUT/KANG THE CONQUEROR! Specifically, how his past (and future) were retconned using early Marvel Universe time travel! Wacky stuff!   •Music- ‘King Tut’ by Steve Martin & The Toot Uncommons

Our FIVE THINGS feature is back for a third time, wherein TL & Mike D. make lists of five Kirby-centric things they like, dislike, question, etc. Joined by their good buddy Lil’ Stevie Milone (chiming in here and there), the laughs are as plenty as the Kirby info! Also, listener/follower shout outs!   •Music- ‘Five Gears in Reverse’ by Elvis Costello and The Attractions

GARY ESPOSITO IS ON THIS PODCAST! Yes friends, our good buddy Gary... aka The Mole Man... is back in Brooklyn after living in sunny California for a bit (albeit under the Earth’s crust), and we FINALLY have him as a guest! Just in time for Halloween, Gary joins hosts Mike D. & Tommy Lombardozzi to talk about Kirby’s Marvel Monsters (and much more)! Have a listen and a laugh... and tell yer friends to, too!    •Music- ‘Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)’ by David Bowie

On Friday, September 28th 2018, the Jacked Kirby boys did their annual live recording at St. Mark’s Comics in NYC’s East Village (11 St. Mark’s Place. NY, NY 10003) to kick off NY SUPERWEEK leading up to NYCC! Back for their second year, Mike D. & TL invite some friends to join them to discuss the King and his influence in current pop-culture, comic book culture, and more! JK tech-master/producer ROB MARTIN kicks off the conversation with the boys, followed by St. Mark’s Comics’ proprietor MITCH ... then their old pal REV. SAL MONDRONE jumps on for some laughings... and the whole show concludes with artist/musician/Kirby Kollector JASIN CADIC!  So have a listen and see how the Jacked Kirby Krew handle a live audience at NYC’s preeminent mom ‘n’ pop comic shop during operating hours! Fun times! •Music- ‘New York Groove’ by Ace Frehley 

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as independent comic book characters, and they would go on to become world-wide phenomenons! What’s Jack Kirby have to do with the TMNT?! Listen to this episode to find out! TL & Mike D. invite special guest Chris Sorrentino of Super Live Adventure Podcast to talk about Jack’s influence (and even appearances) on/in the Turtles’ world! Hi-jinx ensue!    •Music- ‘Dance of the Platypus’ by the Wahoo Skiffle Crazies 

Kirby’s early days at DC Comics saw him doing a variety of genres, most notable in the anthology series House of Mystery. Mike D., TL, and guest Sam James Jr. run through the stories he produced for the book in the late ‘50s, ranging from sci-fi to the macabre! •Music- ‘Look In To My Eyes’ by Bounty Killer

What would become one of Marvel Comics’ most popular franchises had a very slow start in the hands of Stan and Jack. Join Tommy, Mike D., and their very special guest Sam James Jr. of Jamaica as they explore the roots of the X-Men and the impact the title and characters would eventually have on comicdom & pop-culture. •Music- ‘Ex-Factor’ by Lauryn Hill

A mad scientist named Ratsdick transfers his mind into the body of a gorilla to commit crimes... and then gets shot off to the moon?! Yep. Your hosts Mike D. & Tommy discuss the two Gorilla-Man stories in Marvel’s anthology book ‘Tales to Astonish’ (issues 28 & 30, 1962). Oh man, this is one wacky party! (BYOB: Bring Your Own Bananas!) Also, shout outs! •Music- ‘You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)’ by The Dickies

Marvel Studios’ latest movie is the superhero hit ‘Ant-Man & The Wasp’. Joined by Tommy’s brother Michael, Mike D. and TL delve into the histories of both characters and also guess as to the fate of Ant-Man in the MCU!  •Music- ‘I Wish’ by Skee-Lo

With the recent passing of comic legend Steve Ditko in June of 2018, Tommy and Mike D. have invited Alfred “Big Al” Accettura to discuss the controversial creator’s work, philosophies, field contributions, and relationship with “King” Kirby.   •Music- ‘Spider-Man (Cartoon Theme)’ by The Ramones

Our first audio play! Recorded on the anniversary of our very first episode, Tommy & Mike D are joined by Jacked Kirby Krew members JOEY ARMAO, REVEREND SAL, BIG “AL” ACCETTURA, YOUNG JAMES WEST, & super-producer ROB MARTIN in bringing to life the classic Fantastic Four story from issue 51 of the original series (1966) entitled “This Man... This Monster!” Oh, it’s a good time! Happy Anniversary to us! (But YOU, lucky listener, get the gift!) •Music- ‘Fantastic Voyage’ by Lakeside

It’s been a year since the podcast kicked off! Join Tommy & Mike D. as they talk about the show’s beginnings... and its future! From Instagram to iTunes, with old friends and new, the fellas wax on about their mutual love for Kirby & talk about the past year’s experiences doing the show... while also making jokes about Gary’s dick. Nice.   •Music- ‘One Year Of Love’ by Queen

Take a trip into a world of the mysterious and macabre as Mike D. & Tommy discuss Jack Kirby’s work in the DC Comics’ 1972-‘75 anthology series ‘WEIRD MYSTERY TALES’!  We talk about the inception of the series, showing the history of the Kirby stories featured in the title’s first three issues!    •Music- ‘Diary of a Madman’ by Gravediggaz

The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center invited us to do a live recording of our show from their pop-up gallery event “A Jack Kirby Odyssey”, centered around Jack’s Marvel Comics’ ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ work... as the 50th anniversary of the Stanley Kubrick film looms near! Hosts Mike D. & Tommy are joined by the Kirby Museum’s RAND HOPPE & TOM KRAFT to discuss the event, as well as Jacked Kirby Krew members and Kirby fans JOEY ARMAO & JOSEPH MILAZZO! Recorded live on Saturday May 12th, 2018 at the One Art Space in NYC.  •Music- “The Hogyssey” by Spacehog

“Captain America Lives Again!” in Marvel Comics’ issue number 4, volume 1, of The Avengers! (1964) Mike D. & TL are joined once again by their pal Big Al Boulder to talk about this penultimate issue of the early Marvel superhero line, and its effect on the Marvel Universe for years to come! More singing, more Gary jokes, and more shout-outs than the Hulk can carry! Join us for some fun!   Outro Music- “Under the Sea” by Sebastian the Crab

We’re starting off our Kirby inker spotlight episodes (there will be more!) focusing on GEORGE ROUSSOS (aka GEORGE "INKY"  BELL)! Joined by Al Accettura, hosts Tommy & Mike D. discuss the importance of a good inker, George’s work with Kirby (and his other many credits), art, and of course “King” Kirby... with lots of laughs and singing!     Outro Music- “If I Didn’t Care” by The Ink Spots

DC Comics’ ‘1st Issue Special’ title had Jack Kirby creating some... interesting characters. In this episode, TL & Mike D. talk about the ill-fated “first issues” of ATLAS & THE DINGBATS OF DANGER STREET! (Plus Cosby Kids, shout-outs, & Gary jokes galore!) •Music- “Playground” by Another Bad Creation