The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns by Jack Kirby Volume 1--1957-1961

The first of three volumes collecting the complete Marvel Western comics from the indomitable Jack “King” Kirby.

Jack “The King” Kirby’s imagination could transport readers anywhere—from the farthest reaches of the cosmos to the lawless expanse of the American frontier. So, when the creative dynamo behind the Marvel Universe set his sights on Westerns, you better believe that he hit the bullseye every time!

This first of three volumes collecting the complete Jack Kirby Marvel Westerns presents page after page of classic artwork and rare never-before-reprinted stories and covers. They crackle with Kirby’s trademark action, and many spring from the same creative well as Marvel’s legendary superheroes—like Johnny Bart, the all-new Rawhide Kid who vows to use his skills to avenge his murdered Uncle Ben. In this volume, Kirby also presents the original Two-Gun Kid and the Black Rider and crafts taut morality tales of the pioneers and outlaws of the American frontier.

These comic art masterworks have been restored from the finest archival materials and from scans of original art, ensuring that every single Jack Kirby Marvel Western story and cover can be enjoyed in their finest form for generations to come.

Volume 1 collects the complete Jack Kirby stories and covers from QUICK-TRIGGER WESTERN (1956) #16; BLACK RIDER (1957) #1; TWO-GUN WESTERN (1956) #12; GUNSMOKE WESTERN (1955) #47, #51-53 & #56-62; WYATT EARP (1955) #22, #24-26 & #29; KID COLT OUTLAW (1948) #83, #85-97; TWO-GUN KID (1948) #48, #52, #54-57 and RAWHIDE KID (1955) #17-20.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs