Marvel legendStan Lee’scameos were a staple of the MCU, but now Marvel is giving a long-overdue nod to his equally iconicFantastic Fourco-creatorJack Kirby, who gets a shout-out in thetie-in comic to the upcomingFirst Stepsfilm. The comic introduces K.I.R.B.Y., leaving open the door to an on-screen appearance as well.
Fantastic Four: First Steps#1, written by Matt Fraction, with art by Mark Buckingham, is more than your average movie adaptation; it serves as an in-universe artifact, a comic published by the Fantastic Four about themselves.
Included is abrawling counterpart to robotic sidekick H.E.R.B.I.E., given the perfect name K.I.R.B.Y.
Jack Kirby Finally Gets Acknowledged In The MCU, In The Form Of “K.I.R.B.Y.”
Fantastic Four: First Steps#1, Written By Matt Fraction; Art By Mark Buckingham; Available Now From Marvel Comics
As a footnote explains inFantastic Four: First Steps#1, “K.I.R.B.Y.” is an acronym derived from “Kinetic-type Experimental Robot Biomimetics-Integrated Electronics.” Though this might be a mouthful of technobabble,it is worth it for Jack Kirby to finally be included in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even by way of a tie-in comic. It is, at least, a start.
K.I.R.B.Y. is depicted as a training opponent forBen Grimm, as he adapts to his powers. Though the robot doesn’t last long in fisticuffs with the Thing, it still serves as a sweet shout-out to one of the most important, but also most under-appreciated figures in the history of Marvel Comics,as well as perennial rival DC.
Kirby, of course, co-createdThe Fantastic Fourwith Stan Lee in the early 1960s. He and Lee also co-createdX-Men, theIncredible Hulk, and more. In fact, as Lee was just getting his start in publishing,Jack Kirby was already established, helping to create Captain America, a character the duo would later make the centerpiece ofThe Avengers.
Yet while Stan Lee has gone on to be venerated as the founding father of the Marvel Universe, Kirby’s equally essential contributions are often underrecognized, especially outside of comic book fandoms. This was compounded, over the last several decades, with Lee’s many Marvel movie cameos, an opportunity Kirby, who died in 1994, never got to share.
“K.I.R.B.Y.” Is A Riff On “H.E.R.B.I.E.” And A Perfect Shout-Out To The Legendary Jack Kirby
The MCU’s New Robot Sidekick’s Counterpart
“K.I.R.B.Y.” is a play on theFantastic Four’s robotic supporting character H.E.R.B.I.E., whose on-screen debut is among the most eagerly anticipated parts ofFantastic Four: First Steps. Obviously, the similarity of both names offered the perfect opportunity for this allusion to the legendary author and artist.
It is fitting that Jack Kirby has been given the chance to make a posthumous “appearance” in Fantastic Four: First Steps, at least on the comic page.
In this way, Marvel pays homage, however briefly, to Jack Kirby’s role in creating the publisher’s “First Family.” Naturally, it has alsocaused Kirby’s fans to wonder if this is a comic-only Easter Egg, inserted by author Matt Fraction, or if K.I.R.B.Y. might appear in the upcoming MCU filmas well.
Whatever the case might be, it is fitting thatJack Kirbyhas been given the chance to make a posthumous “appearance” inFantastic Four: First Steps, at least on the comic page, especially when consideringStan Lee’sdozens of cinematic cameos, and references, which have continued even after his 2018 passing.
