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Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

Dean Haspiel writes:

My new play, The Last Bar At The End Of The World, is an existential tragicomedy about a dying cartoonist, and so much more. It's emotionally semi-autobiographical and ponders obsession, purpose, and legacy while paying slight homage to the imagination and work ethics of Jack Kirby.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

The key Kirby characters referenced in the play are from early Marvel Comics and some of the DC Comics he produced in the 1970s.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

Buford Bickle, the dying cartoonist, cites O.M.A.C. — One Man Army Corp — and Ben Boxer from Kamandi. And, without giving too much away, he discusses these characters to wrestle with his identity, matters of the heart, and the ability to smash atoms.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

At one point in the play, Steve Ditko's Dr. Strange is brought up to suggest a different point of view…

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

…and Captain America's pal, The Falcon, reveals a secret that traumatized Buford's best friend, Tobias, for 35 years.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

The poster is a wink at Marvel's now iconic graphic of Bruce Banner being irradiated by gamma rays, which leads to him transforming into The Incredible Hulk. At one point, Tobias claims "Most great things end with an explosion."

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

Buford Bickle even has his own, independently produced comic book called Beth Of Both Worlds, but you'll have to pull up a stool at The Last Bar At The End Of The World this week in Manhattan to find out more about it.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel

–Dean Haspiel

THE LAST BAR AT THE END OF THE WORLD
April 10 – 15th
Urban Stages Theatre
259 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001

Written by Dean Haspiel
Directed by Philip Cruise
Featuring:
Philip Cruise, Tarik Davis, Lex Friedman, Seth Gilliam, Christopher Lee, Edward Miller, Alyssa Simon, Anna Stefanic, and Stoya

Here is a direct link for tickets and the available dates.

Jack Kirby and The Last Bar at the End of the World by Dean Haspiel


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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