Kamandi
Kamandi | |
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Science-fiction | |
Publication date | List
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No. of issues | (vol. 1): 59 The Kamandi Challenge: 12 |
Main character(s) | Kamandi Dr. Canus Pyra |
Creative team | |
Written by | |
Penciller(s) | List
|
Inker(s) | List |
Kamandi (/kəˈmændi/) is a fictional comic book character created by artist Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics. The bulk of Kamandi's appearances occurred in the comic series Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth, which ran from 1972 to 1978. He is a young hero living in a post-apocalyptic future. Following the Great Disaster, humans have backslid to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.
Publication history
Creation
DC editor
The series
The Kamandi series was launched in October–November 1972, and was written and drawn by Jack Kirby.[3] The book went to a monthly publishing schedule quickly, a sign of its early popularity.[4]
Kirby provided art and story through the comic's 37th issue, in January 1976. Kirby also drew issues #38 through #40, although they were scripted by
Entering the DC Universe
During Kirby's run on the book, Steve Sherman indicated in the letters column that the series was connected to Kirby's then-current OMAC series, which was set in the future, but prior to the Great Disaster. The only obvious connection to the DC Universe occurs in issue #29, in which Kamandi discovers a group of apes who worship Superman's costume, and who speak of legends of him trying and failing to stop the Great Disaster.[6] The story leaves it ambiguous as whether the legends are literally true and the costume did belong to him. Kamandi believes Superman was real.[7]
Other stories, not by Kirby, explicitly take place in the DC Universe. Kamandi met
The 1975–1977 #295 (Jan. 1976) implied that the Great Disaster was a natural occurrence.
DC Comics Presents #57 (May 1983) shows that the events of the Atomic Knights stories were a fantasy in the mind of Gardner Grayle,[14] but DC Comics Presents #64[15] and Crisis on Infinite Earths #2[16] make clear that Kamandi still existed in an alternate future of Earth-One.
In the wake of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Great Disaster would not occur, and the boy who would have become Kamandi instead became Tommy Tomorrow.[13][17]
Revival
In the aftermath of the
In early 2007, DC Nation house ads showed part of Darkseid and mention a Great Disaster. Additional DC promotional art for the series Countdown shows the Statue of Liberty in ruins, as in Kamandi #1. Dan DiDio later revealed that the Statue's appearance in that teaser ad was a reference to the Sinestro Corps War. Throughout 2007, DC Comics contained references to a coming Great Disaster. In Countdown #31, Buddy Blank and his unnamed blond grandson are introduced into the storyline. As of Countdown #6, The Great Disaster is in its early stages on Earth-51 due to the outbreak of a virus, which is causing humans to develop animalistic features, and animals to develop humanoid features. In Countdown #5, the virus claims Earth-51's Buddy Blank's daughter, but his grandson is safe. Una, an alternate Earth's version of the Legion of Super-Heroes Triplicate Girl, gives him her Legion flight ring, which he uses to safely get him to Cadmus' "Command D" facility, which was used to control Brother Eye, and has the defenses necessary to protect them from the virus' victims. As he settles in, he hopes that his grandson can forgive him for making him "the last boy on Earth".
In Countdown: Arena #2, an ape Starman from Earth-17 mentions he is attempting to form a truce between the forces of Kamandi and Ben Boxer, indicating a second variant Kamandi Earth, unlike Earth-51.
Kamandi and The Demon appear in "Devil's Play" written by Joe Kubert and Brandon Vietti with art by Vietti, published in Joe Kubert Presents #6 (May 2013).
Final Crisis
Kamandi is seen in DC's
DC Rebirth
As part of the DC Rebirth continuity and commemorating the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby's birth,[19] in January 2017 DC published the first number of The Kamandi Challenge, a 12-part limited series with each issue featuring a new creative team (a total of 12 writers and 12 artists for the miniseries), a concept loosely inspired on 1985's DC Challenge.[20] During the Infinite Frontier Checkmate mini series, it's revealed he founded the organization as an adult named Kingsley Jacobs aka "King".[21]
Writers on the series included
Fictional character biography
Kamandi is a teenage boy on a post-apocalyptic Earth which the textual narrative describes as Earth A.D. (After Disaster). The Earth has been ravaged by the mysterious Great Disaster. The precise nature of the Great Disaster is never revealed in the original series, although it "had something to do with radiation". Both the
Shortly before the Great Disaster, a scientist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Dr. Michael Grant, developed a drug called Cortexin, which stimulated the reasoning abilities of animals. During the Great Disaster, Grant released the experimental animals affected by the drug, and dumped the Cortexin itself into the stream created by a broken water main. In the ensuing days, animals escaping from the National Zoo drank from that stream and became affected by the drug.
By Kamandi's time, an unspecified period after the Great Disaster, the effects of Cortexin and the radiation unleashed by the Great Disaster itself had caused a wide variety of animals (most of them are descendants of escaped zoo animals following the disaster) including but not limited to
By this time, most surviving humans are acting bestial, with very limited reasoning ability. Most have only the most rudimentary ability to speak, although they can be trained. The precise cause of the loss of reasoning ability is ambiguous in the original series. The animals treat humans as beasts, using them for labor or as pets.
Kamandi is the last survivor of the human outpost in the "Command D" bunker near what was once New York City. "Kamandi" is a corruption of "Command D"; it is unclear if Kamandi ever had any other name. Raised by his elderly grandfather, Kamandi has extensive knowledge of the pre-Disaster world, thanks to a library of
He soon discovers that the only other intelligent humans left on Earth are Ben Boxer and his friends Steve and Renzi, a trio of mutants genetically engineered to survive in Earth A.D. He also makes a number of animal friends including Dr. Canus, the canine scientist of Great Caesar (leader of the Tiger Empire) and Caesar's teenage son Tuftan. Later additions to the cast included the alien woman Pyra, the girl Spirit and the consulting detective Mylock Bloodstalker and his associate Doile. Even the most sympathetic animals, however, are nonplussed by Kamandi and Ben's ability to speak.
Kamandi and his friends set out to explore the world of Earth A.D., in hopes of one day restoring humanity to sapience and civilization.
Other versions
Elseworlds
The Elseworlds miniseries Kamandi: At Earth's End was issued in 1993, but had little relation to the Kirby comic except by name. This series was followed up by Superman: At Earth's End, both written by Tom Veitch.
Superman/Batman
In the third story arc of the Superman/Batman series, which showed the heroes traveling through time, they met or fought with, variously, Sgt. Rock, Jonah Hex, Darkseid, and Kamandi.[23]
Superman & Batman: Generations
In Superman & Batman: Generations III #3 (May 2003), one of the stories was set during the century immediately following the 'Great Disaster' engineered by Luthor's robotized brain. It dealt with Superman II, Batman, and other survivors of the technological age dealing with Kamandi-like intelligent animals and overgrown ruins.[24]
Wednesday Comics
Dave Gibbons and Ryan Sook produced a Kamandi serial for Wednesday Comics in 2009.[25][26] The stories for Wednesday Comics have their own continuity.
The Multiversity
The sixth issue of The Multiversity, titled the "Multiversity Guidebook", features Kamandi on his version of Earth as one of the 52 Earths of the Multiverse. Kamandi is shown searching an ancient ruin in this issue.
In other media
Television
- A Kamandi animated series was optioned during the late 1970s, but was cancelled before entering the production phase.[27]
- Kamandi appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Mikey Kelley. This version is a recurring ally of Batman.
Film
- Kamandi appears in DC Showcase: Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth!, voiced by Cameron Monaghan.[28]
- Kamandi will appear in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two, voiced by Will Friedle.[29]
Merchandise
Kamandi received a figure in the DC Universe Classics line in 2010.
Miscellaneous
Kamandi appears in
Collected editions
- Kamandi Archive:
- Volume 1 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1-10, 224 pages, October 2005, ISBN 1-4012-0414-7[30]
- Volume 2 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #11-20, 228 pages, February 2007, ISBN 1-4012-1208-5[31]
- Volume 1 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1-10, 224 pages, October 2005,
- Countdown Special: Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth 80-Page Giant #1 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1, #10 and #29.[32]
- Kamandi by Jack Kirby Omnibus
- Volume 1 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1-20, 448 pages, September 2011, ISBN 1-4012-3233-7[33]
- Volume 2 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #21-40, 424 pages, December 2012, ISBN 1401236723[34]
- Volume 1 collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1-20, 448 pages, September 2011,
- Wednesday Comics collects Wednesday Comics #1-12, 200 pages, June 2010, ISBN 1401227473[35]
- Kamandi by Jack Kirby Omnibus collects Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1-40, 896 pages, March 2018, ISBN 1401274692[36]
- The Kamandi Challenge collects The Kamandi Challenge #1-12, 460 pages, April 2018, ISBN 1401278361
See also
- Jack Kirby bibliography
- television series, premiering in 2020, with a similar premise focusing on a girl with unusual physical abilities.
Jack Kirby Kamandi Artist’s Gallery Edition, Volume 1 and Volume 2, Hard - Cover IDW.
References
- ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.)
Kirby had already introduced a similar concept and characters in Alarming Tales #1 (1957)...Coupling the premise with his unpublished "Kamandi of the Caves" newspaper strip, Kirby's Last Boy on Earth roamed a world that had been ravaged by the "Great Disaster" and taken over by talking animals.
{{cite book}}
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has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Cronin, Brian (February 18, 2010). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #248". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ISBN 978-1605490564.
- ^ Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2 (Fall 1978) at the Grand Comics Database
- ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^ Kirby, Jack; Sherman, Steve (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Berry, D. Bruce (i). "Mighty One!" Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth, no. 29 (May 1975).
- ^ Haney, Bob (w), Aparo, Jim (p), Aparo, Jim (i). "This Earth Is Mine" The Brave and the Bold, no. 120 (July 1975).
- ^ Haney, Bob; Barr, Mike W. (w), Aparo, Jim (p), Aparo, Jim (i). "Time...My Dark Destiny!" The Brave and the Bold, no. 157 (December 1979).
- ^ Maggin, Elliot S. (w), Swan, Curt (p), Oksner, Bob (i). "Costume, Costume--Who's Got the Costume?" Superman, no. 295 (January 1976).
- ^ Maggin, Elliot S. (w), Ayers, Dick (p), Chan, Ernie; Alcala, Alfredo (i). "Trial by Fear!" Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth, no. 49 (February–March 1977).
- ^ O'Neil, Dennis (w), Ayers, Dick (p), Alcala, Alfredo; Auad, Manuel (i). "The Death Worshippers!" Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth, no. 50 (April–May 1977).
- ^ a b Markstein, Don (2010). "Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
- ^ Mishkin, Dan; Cohn, Gary (w), Saviuk, Alex (p), McLaughlin, Frank (i). "Days of Future Past!" DC Comics Presents, no. 57 (May 1983).
- ^ Evanier, Mark (w), Saviuk, Alex (p), McLaughlin, Frank (i). "May You Live in Interesting Times!" DC Comics Presents, no. 64 (December 1983).
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Pérez, George (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "Time and Time Again!" Crisis on Infinite Earths, no. 2 (May 1985).
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Pérez, George (p), Ordway, Jerry (i). "Final Crisis" Crisis on Infinite Earths, no. 12 (March 1986).
- ^ Janson, Tim (April 19, 2007). "Counting Down to Countdown IV: The Great Disaster and the Atom: Kamandi and the Great Disaster!". Newsarama. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (October 3, 2016). "DC Announces Kamandi Challenge Creative Teams, And Teases More Plans to Celebrate Jack Kirby's 100th Birthday". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018.
- ^ Collins, Elle (December 22, 2016). "An Epic Adventure Is Underway In The Kamandi Challenge #1". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018.
- ^ Checkmate Vol. 3 #4
- ^ Sims, Chris (October 3, 2016). "DC Reveals Art And New Details For Kamandi Challenge Tribute To Kirby". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018.
- ^ Loeb, Jeph (w), Pacheco, Carlos (p), Merino, Jesus (i). "Absolute Power, Part 3 of 5: When Time Goes Asunder..." Superman/Batman, no. 16 (Late February 2005).
- ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "Century 22: Out of the Ashes" Superman & Batman: Generations III, no. 3 (May 2003).
- ^ Renaud, Jeffrey (August 26, 2009). "Wednesday Comics: Dave Gibbons". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ^ Trecker, Jamie (August 6, 2009). "Wednesday Comics Thursday 4: Ryan Sook Brings Kamandi to Life". Newsarama. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ^ Stewart, Tom (April 2007). "Kirby Goes to the Devil: The Saga of Devil Dinosaur and the Escape of Jack Kirby". Back Issue! (#21). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 65–69.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 29, 2021). "WB Slates Four 'DC Showcase' Animated Shorts for 2021-22".
- ^ Harvey, James (February 21, 2024). ""Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part Two" Arrives April 23, 2024". The World's Finest. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Kamandi Archives Volume 1". DC Comics.com. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Kamandi Archives Volume 2". DC Comics.com. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Countdown Special: Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth 80-Page Giant #1". DC Comics.com. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth Omnibus Volume 1". DC Comics.com. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth Omnibus Volume 2". DC Comics.com. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Wednesday Comics". DC Comics. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ "KAMANDI BY JACK KIRBY OMNIBUS". DC. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
External links
- Kamandi at the Grand Comics Database
- Kamandi at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Kamandi at the DC Database Project
- Kamandi at Mike's Amazing World of Comics