CELEBRITY PULL LIST: Linda & Paul McCartney Meet Jack Kirby
It isn’t just the celebrities of today’s Marvel Cinematic Universe-obsessed world who love to read comics, Marvel Blog True Believers: it’s also the superstars of yesteryear!
Better yet, as you’ll see in today’s entry of “Celebrity Pull List,” retro pics of celebs also mean there’s a chance for some of the late, great departed legends of Marvel Comics to make a cameo appearance, including The Beatles! Today, we’re taking a look at the comic book reading habits one of the members of The Beatles, Paul McCartney, and his wife at time of the photo, animal rights activist, vegan chef, and photographer Linda McCartney.
Paul McCartney and Jack Kirby. Photo: Kirby Museum
Better yet, this legendary Wings alum appear alongside none other than comic book legend Jack Kirby!
Comics On the Run
Marvel Blog discovered the amazing photograph from the 1976 backstage meeting of the McCartneys and Kirby over on the “People Reading Comics” Tumblr. It shows both Paul and Linda backstage and deep in discussion with King Kirby.
Paul and Linda McCartney with Jack Kirby. Photo: People Reading Comics Tumblr
This meeting came about because of the song, “Magneto &Titanium Man,” which debuted on the 1975 Wings album Venus & Mars. Excited to meet a Beatle (even if he wasn’t a big fan), when the 1976 Wings tour made it to Los Angeles, Kirby made an appointment to meet the band backstage and presented them with a 14″ by 17″ pencil drawing.
Although it’s a little difficult to see the drawing, which is the object of conversation in the photograph, hawkeyed Marvel Blog True Believers may be able to catch sight of the pencil drawing between the McCartneys and Kirby, known as the “Wings and Magneto pencil art,” according to an article posted on the Kirby Museum‘s website.
Wings and Magneto pencil art. Photo: Kirby Museum
In the pencil drawing, Magneto has captured Paul and Linda, who are wearing the top-hats from Venus & Mars album material, in the palm of his hand.
Photo: 13th Dimension
McCartney did not hire Kirby to produce the artwork for the tour (which is the same art used for the record sleeve) that appeared on the album or on stage during performances of “Magneto &Titanium Man” during the tour as some believe: the band used artwork found in Iron Man #22 by George Tuska and Mike Esposito, X-Men #91 by Tuska and John Tartaglione, and Avengers #130 by Sal Buscema and Joe Staton, not original Kirby artwork. However, although Kirby didn’t do the artwork for the album or tour, each of the characters were his creations.
X-Men #91. Photo: Marvel
In recognition of his contribution to comics, that night in ’76, McCartney dedicated the performance to King Kirby himself, who watched the band play from the front row (and yes, the tickets were complimentary).
Magneto & Titanium Man. Photo: Kirby Museum
The Beatles
McCartney and his love of comic books is well documented… Seriously! Once, after being asked if he had a crime-fighting alter ego, the former Beatle responded: “I’d be called ‘Peaceman’ and my superpower would be a zapper that I would use to END WAR!”
The singer, actor, and philanthropist isn’t just a fan of Marvel Comics either, he loves anything from King Kirby. Check out this still from 1965’s Help if you don’t believe me, Marvel Blog True Believers!
Paul was no stranger to Superman either. Photo: 13th Dimension
And fun fact: Kirby hopped on to Jimmy Olsen in 1970 after he migrated to DC Comics. There was even a story in Jimmy Olsen #79, “The Red-Headed Beatle of 1,000 B.C.” that stars Olsen as a one-man pop sensation!
“The Red-Headed Beatle of 1,000 B.C.” Photo: DC Comics
While both Kirby and Linda have sadly passed away, McCartney remains a global phenomena. Seriously, I saw him perform at Dodgers Stadium back in the halcyon pre-pandemic days of 2019, and let me tell you, Marvel Blog True Believers… if you ever get a chance to see a show at this venue, it is well worth the drive from Avengers Campus (trust me, Tony Stark would agree).
But beyond that, maybe McCartney is available for a cameo role in the MCU. I hear those are going to a lot of musicians these days! He could even play himself, since he is a Marvel Comics character after all!
Stan Lee and Paul McCartney. Photo: Paul McCartney
The Beatles even appeared opposite The Fantastic Four in Marvel storyline, including Strange Tales #130 by Stan Lee, Bob Powell, Chic Stone, and Sam Rosen.
Strange Tales #130. Photo: Marvel Comics
Live and Let Comics
Which Beatle would you rather read comics with (and don’t say Marvel Comics’ lover Ringo Starr, unless you’re Marge Simpson)? Who would win in a fight: Eleanor Rigby or the Incredible Hulk? Do you think the Rolling Stones read more comics than the Beatles, or how about The Who? Do you think we should find out?
We want to know what you’re thinking, Marvel Blog True Believers! Let us know in the comment sections.
