The Jack & Roz Kirby Awards

Orlando, FL - October 8, 2025 - ComicArtFans.com (CAF), the global hub for everything related to original art from comic books and other narrative or storytelling art, announced today that it has entered into an Event Partnership Agreement with The Estate of Jack Kirby (Kirby Estate) as represented by The Rosalind Kirby Family Trust and The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center (Kirby Museum).

The partnership will cover the creation and production of fundraising, award, promotional, and other events centered on the work and legacy of creator Jacob Kurtzberg, better known as Jack Kirby, whose awe-inspiring, universally acclaimed, and broadly influential body of work included being the primary architect of the Marvel Comics Universe, as well as making significant contributions to DC Comics, animation, the nascent independent comic book publishing industry, and comic book creator rights.

"We are extremely excited to partner with CAF to help envision and create these awards, which we feel will truly honor Jack and Roz’s legacy while celebrating the passion and future of comic art in remarkable artists today," said Tracy Kirby, representing the Kirby Estate.

"As a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the study, preservation, and appreciation of Jack Kirby's life and work, the Jack Kirby Museum is thrilled to formalize its long-time relationship with the Estate of Jack Kirby and Comic Art Fans through this new partnership," said Tom Kraft, President of The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center. "We are proud to be part of honoring Jack and Roz's vision by celebrating creativity, generosity, and storytelling—and to continue to inspire new and future generations."

The partnership will be overseen by a three-person committee consisting of Tracy Kirby from the Kirby Estate, Tom Kraft from the Kirby Museum, and Kasra Ghanbari from CAF. Activities under the event partnership will be conceived and designed by the CAF team, then vetted and improved by the committee for consensus approval before being produced by CAF.

The first outcome of the partnership is The Jack & Roz Kirby Awards (the Kirbys), which was created by Kasra Ghanbari and vetted by the committee at length before approval. The Kirbys will be an annual award recognizing innovation, excellence, and humanity in narrative communication. At launch, the Kirbys will consist of six award categories that celebrate the artist's journey: New Voices, Independent Spirit, Innovator, Visionary, Storyteller, and Teacher. The award process will be overseen by an Advisory Board and Voting Committee, who collectively will nominate candidates and vote on finalists and the award winners.

CAF will be producing an annual awards show at its Original Art Expo (OAX), which for its third year will be held February 20 to 22, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. CAF is actively seeking sponsors and partners for the Kirbys, which will be announced in November along with the Advisory Board and Voting Committee members. The award statue will be unveiled in advance of the awards show, as well.

"This partnership and award are opportunities granted to us by Jack and Roz Kirby, and what they represented, to convey the importance of dreaming, creating, expressing, and evolving," said Kasra Ghanbari, CEO of CAF. "The Kirbys will seek to identify and support unique and compelling voices and perspectives, serving as recognition and strong encouragement to a creator to continue their path with gratitude for where they've already reached. Individuation and capable expression are a mandate, and importantly, Jack seemed to always ask the question: What's next?"