The late Jack Kirby’s unpublished novel, The Horde, has been acquired by Mile High Comics’ CEO Chuck Rozanski, who hopes to publish the story.
Chuck Rozanski, president and CEO of Mile High Comics Inc. has acquired a copy Jack Kirby’s lost, unpublished novel, The Horde.
The Horde was written by legendary comic book writer and artist Jack Kirby, who is respected as one of the most influential minds in the history of comic books, for his work with both Marvel Comics and DC Comics. The story, which Kirby worked on in the 1960s and 70s, explores a dystopian future caused by an overpopulation crisis.
In the latest edition of Rozanski’s newsletter, he detailed exactly how he came to acquire the long-sought-after novel, which began with a pricey purchase from a comic book executive. “Three years ago, I purchased five pallets filled with the personal archives of a highly-respected comics executive (and longtime comics fan) who was retiring to a new life in Europe. I paid a small fortune for his lifetime collection.”
Rozanski discussed how he soon ran out of space in Mile High Comics’ Jason Street Mega Store, calling it a day after 300+ boxes were unpacked. However, with his “good health and vigor” returning, Rozanski was finally able to resume unpacking the collection last week, which was when he discovered the manuscript of The Horde.
“The single item that really blew my mind, however, was a hand-bound manuscript of The Horde, Jack Kirby’s legendary 248-page prose novel that he wrote in 1974/75, and that was edited into this version in 1979.” Rozanski went on to include that the manuscript was a gift from Kirby’s wife. “To make this story even more fantastic, the previous owner contacted me from Europe this morning to let me know that his copy of this incredibly rare manuscript had been a personal gift to him (after Jack’s passing) directly from Jack’s widow, Roz Kirby. She had given it to him still hoping that it could someday be published. Maybe now, it will.”
The discovery will come as a delight to longtime fans of Kirby’s work, and Rozanski has assured fans that he will do what he can to get the novel published, but leaves the decision entirely in the hands of Kirby’s estate. “I will gladly make the entirety of Jack’s novel available to the Jack Kirby estate. They own the copyright, and must make the decision as to whether to turn this novel over to a publisher. Jack and Roz were dear and personal friends of mine, so forty years later, this is the very least that I can do to honor their unceasing kindness to me.”
Source: Mile High Comics Newsletter
About The Author
For all the latest Comics News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
