Jack Kirby Museum Launched Crowdfunding Campaign

The nonprofit project seeks to compile rare 1947 comic strips by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Comic Books

Screen-print poster illustration of a vintage metal printing plate and abstract comic sketches, representing historical comic book preservation.
The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Zoop to publish rare 1947 comic strips. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center has initiated a crowdfunding campaign on the platform Zoop to publish a new collection. The project, titled Funny Animals & Teenage Hi-Jinks, aims to bring lesser-known work from 1947 to fans.

Why it matters

This initiative preserves rare historical material that might otherwise remain obscure. It provides a structured way for collectors to access remastered archival comics while supporting a museum dedicated to the legendary artist.

The hardcover collection measures 8.5 by 11 inches and spans 128 pages. Remastering of the original 1947 comic pages was conducted by Harry Mendryk.

The players

Jack Kirby

He was a prolific and influential comic book artist and writer who co-created many major characters in the medium.

Joe Simon

He was an iconic comic book creator and editor known for his long-standing partnership with Jack Kirby.

Harry Mendryk

He is an expert researcher and restorer who managed the technical remastering of the vintage comic pages.

The Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the study, preservation, and exhibition of the work and life of Jack Kirby.

Zoop

This is a specialized crowdfunding platform designed to help comic book creators and publishers fund their projects.

The details

The project uses collected original art and files preserved by the Kirby Museum Press. Backers can choose from a variety of limited edition and exclusive items released throughout the campaign.

Timeline

  1. The original comic strips were produced by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon in 1947.

  2. Early bird rewards are available for pledges made during the first 48 hours of the campaign.

Culture Shift

This project highlights the growing reliance on community-funded models to preserve and republish historical media. It reflects a shift where archival research institutions leverage digital platforms to curate and release niche content directly to dedicated fan bases.

Fans can secure exclusive editions and early-bird rewards by pledging to the campaign within the first 48 hours. The hardcover format provides a durable, high-quality physical copy for readers looking to add rare, remastered historical comics to their libraries.

The takeaway

Collectors interested in preservation should monitor the campaign tiers for exclusive items that will not be available in standard retail. Acting early is recommended to take advantage of the limited-time incentives offered during the initial campaign window.

Further reading

Explore more about current industry trends in the Comic Books section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by First Comics News.

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Do you prefer buying classic comic collections through crowdfunding campaigns over traditional retail releases?