Here’s day 14 of of the second annual Jack Kirby Tribute Month, created by Howard Simpson to honor the month of Jack Kirby’s birth. The theme this week is the D.N.Aliens of the DNA Project and the Evil Factory in Jimmy Olsen. And today’s prompt is Arin, the Armored Man.
Arin only appeared in one short tale, part of a few one-shot extras Jack did under the umbrella title, “Tales of the DNA Project.” Arin was created by the Project to be able to live and thrive in the vacuum of space. He had with him a red backpack that…well, I don’t want to spoil the story for those who haven’t read it. We only get to see him for three pages in Jimmy Olsen #146, so who knows what comes next?
Arin seems to be metallic in nature, but he appears different from the kind of shiny metal composing characters like the Silver Surfer. I tried to get that sense here too.
I hope you enjoy my take, and feel free to tune in tomorrow for another D.N.Alien!
Another great effort. It sure looks exactly like Jack had done the work. But of course, your “signature” is a reminder that the piece is a Lewis.You point put the difference between the metallic surfaces of Silver Surfer and Arin. I wonder if the flat surfaces on Arin were meant as a form of camouflage? Thanks.
Glad you liked my shot at Arin, the Armored Man. I’m actually not trying for “dead-on” Kirby (which would sort of defeat the goal of the tribute thing, bringing your style or version to it), but I suppose it’s hard not to get him in there, given I’m referencing his work for these, and he’s always been a big influence.
No idea if Jack had in mind camouflage or not. I’d guess he was thinking metallic as protective in space, and wanted to do something different from the Silver Surfer. I got the sense Arin was intended to be more iron-like, where his surfaces would still catch light somewhat (hence the squiggles), but not be as reflective as the brighter silver metal of the Surfer.
It would be interesting to see how Alex Ross would approach this character!