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“I’m Trying To Prod People To Think” The Conclusion Of Our Intriguing Interview with Golden & Silver Age artist JACK KATZ Conducted by Jim Amash
Transcribed by Brian K. Morris
L
ast issue, Jack Katz talked about his friendship (dating from their days together at the High School of Industrial Arts) with fellow future comic book artists Alex Toth, Pete Morisi, and Alfonso Greene, as well as about their relationship with legendary newspaper comic strip artist Frank Robbins. In some of his earliest days, Jack worked at the Chesler, Sangor, and Iger comic art shops, later in the production department at King Features Syndicate. Then, after drawing for a time for Standard/Nedor Publications alongside Toth and Mike Peppe, Jack moved on, in the mid-1950s—to the studio of comics’ ultrateam, Joe Simon & Jack Kirby…. —Jim.
…And The Last Shall Be First Jack Katz (on left) with fellow artist Jack Kirby in the 1970s—and the cover of the first issue of his 24-book magnum opus The First Kingdom. Thanks to Jack for the photo, and to Jerry Edwards for the comic book cover. Jack Katz currently does commission drawings, and can be reached at (510) 237-1779. [©2010 Jack Katz.]
“I Learned To Ink [From Jack Kirby]” JIM AMASH: How did you get started with Simon & Kirby? JACK KATZ: This was before I went to Timely. Jack Kirby took a look at my stuff, and he spoke to Joe Simon. I started working with them, and right next to me was Mort Meskin. There were about seven desks there, and for the most part, people came in to work there. Very few people took the stuff home except Marvin Stein, and Marvy was a machine like I’d never seen before. He barely penciled anything. He did most all of his drawing with the brush. JA: Was there a receptionist? KATZ: No, there was nobody there. JA: Did Simon and Kirby work out in the open with the others? KATZ: Jack would work at his own desk there, and Joe would come in during the morning, and subtly stare at us. Then Jack would go to lunch, and when he came back, Joe would leave for day. I think he was looking for financing, I’m not sure. You know how I learned to ink? Jack sat me down one day. He said, “This is what you do.” He took one of my drawings, and he inked it with a