Galactic Bounty Hunters (Jack Kirby’s…)

(Marvel, 2006–2007)
™ and © 2006 Rosalind Kirby Trust and Genesis West

In the depths of space a team of four highly specialized mercenaries, Mainframe, Skylla, Tyr and Garm, are closing in on the reptilian matriarch Ma Slugg. After an altercation with Slugg, her equally repulsive son, the quartet captures Ma Slugg and returns to their ship. The scenario then changes to the comfortable suburban home of renowned author Jack Berkeley who has been telling this story to his daughter Brianna. Jack’s son Garrett, full of teenage rebellion, dismisses these fantasies as, “worthless funny books for kids.” Garrett’s opinions of his father and his father’s occupation are due for a major revamping.
This six-issue miniseries features characters and concepts from the fertile mind of Jack Kirby, the premier artist and co-founder of the Marvel Age of Comics. Originally created (and then discarded), as a band of villains for Captain Victory more than a decade ago, this quartet of Kirby creations was discovered by Jack’s daughter Lisa, while she was inventorying her father’s archives. With the help and encouragement of family friend, Mike Thibodeaux whose Last of the Viking Heroes appeared as a backup feature in Kirby’s Silver Star, Lisa developed the Galactic Bounty Hunters. She readily admits being unaware of the scope her father’s incredible career, a personality attribute that is reflected in the characterization of Jack Berkeley’s son Garrett.

— George Haberberger

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