King Kirby Conquers the Streets: NYC Unveils ‘Jack Kirby Way’

Jacob Kurtzberg, who would later be known as Jack Kirby, was a pioneering comic book creator, a World War II combat veteran, a true legend in the industry, who also was a proud father and grandfather.  Kirby touched the lives of many who knew him and inspired countless comic book readers to dream big and pursue their passion—even if, as he famously warned, ‘comics will break your heart.’ On Monday, May 11, 2026, his legacy was forever cemented into the streets of his hometown as New York City dedicated a block of Essex Street on the Lower East Side as Jack Kirby Way.

According to The Daily Cartoonist, the effort was spearheaded by Roy Schwartz, a writer, author, pop culture historian, and board member of the Jack & Roz Kirby Awards. Schwartz shepherded the entire application, organized a resident petition drive, and made several presentations to the city. The New York City Council approved the street designation in December 2025, and Comics Beat reported that the ceremony on Monday, May 11 was filled with cartoonists, fans, and members of the comic book community, including Jim Steranko, Mark Evanier, Paul Levitz, and Marvel’s Tom Brevoort, David Bogart, and C.B. Cebulski. When the ceremony commenced, it included speakers NYC Council Member Christopher Marte, Marvel’s EIC C. B. Cebulski, and Jack Kirby’s family, daughter Lisa and grandchildren Jeremy and Tracey.

Kirby finally received the recognition he long deserved. New York City has honored one of its own — cementing the legacy of a kid from the Lower East Side who helped build the modern comic book industry. It’s a powerful tribute to the medium’s deep New York roots.

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Jacob Kurtzberg, who would later change his name to Jack Kirby was born on August 28, 1917, at 147 Essex Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan — the very block that now bears his name. Born to Austrian-Jewish immigrants Rose and Benjamin Kurtzberg, his father worked in a garment factory. A self-taught artist who loved to draw, young Jack began his career with the Lincoln Newspaper Syndicate and as an in-betweener on Popeye cartoons at Fleischer Studios before entering the comic book industry. Before the war, he teamed with Joe Simon to co-create Captain America, one of the most iconic and patriotic heroes in comic book history. He later served as a combat infantryman and scout in World War II, landing in Normandy and fighting across Europe. After the war, Kirby went on to co-create some of the most iconic characters in comic book history— including the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thor, Black Panther, the New Gods, Mister Miracle, and dozens more. A lifelong advocate for creators’ rights, Kirby passed away on February 6, 1994.

Source: The Daily Cartoonist, Roy Schwartz, Comics Beat, The Smithsonian

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