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Lower East Side Street Named for ‘King of Comics’ Jack Kirby, a Nod to One of the Countless Kids of Immigrants Who Shaped the Genre
The tribute recognizes Kirby’s influence on superheroes and the immigrant creators who helped build New York’s comics industry.
- On May 11, 2026, New York City will unveil a street sign renaming a block of Essex Street as Jack Kirby Way in Manhattan's Lower East Side.
- Born Jacob Kurtzberg in 1917, the artist spent his youth in the Lower East Side before co-creating iconic characters including Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men.
- Kirby frequently mined his working-class upbringing for his stories, modeling the fictional Yancy Street—where Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four resides—after his own neighborhood experiences.
- Following a successful lobbying effort by comics expert Roy Schwartz, the New York City Council approved the designation in December 2025.
- This tribute acknowledges the immigrant creators who shaped the genre, honoring Kirby's legacy as a legendary figure whose work remains inextricably linked to New York City history.
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Jack Kirby Was a Kid From the Lower East Side Who Became the ‘King of Comics’ and Made Superhero Mythology. Now, New York City Has Named a Street After Him
The artist who co-created Captain America and other iconic characters is being honored in the neighborhood where he grew up
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Lower East Side street named for ‘King of Comics’ Jack Kirby, a nod to one of the countless kids of immigrants who shaped the genre
The Thing is from the fictional Yancy Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, where creator Jack Kirby was raised. Richie S/flickr, CC BYThe gesture may lack the explosive drama of a rooftop fight or the tension of a car chase, but on May 11, 2026, a street sign honoring a legendary comics creator will be unveiled in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. After a lobbying effort by comics expert Roy Schwartz, the New York City Council in December 2025 appr…
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 19%
C 62%
R 19%
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