'Eternals' adds another blockbuster to Jack Kirby's Marvel-ous legacy

Stan Lee became the face of Marvel Comics, and up to his death in 2018, an enthusiastic goodwill ambassador for the comic-book industry. But most of his signature heroes were birthed with artist Jack Kirby, who many have seen as an unsung hero in a creative explosion compared to another famous '60s writing duo, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

With the release of the movie "Eternals," actually one of Kirby's less-heralded solo creations, and the impact of the writer-artist's "New Gods" on DC's cinematic universe, Kirby and his legacy might be receiving the attention and credit that he chafed about later in his career and that prompted his temporary departure from Marvel in the 1970s.

Working together, Lee and Kirby launched the landmark comic "Fantastic Four" 60 years ago, followed by the Avengers (and individual members Thor, the Hulk and Ant-Man/the Wasp), X-Men and more.