365 Days of KirbyTech, Day 28: Baron Zemo's Vibra-Gun

The Vibra-Gun wielded by the Amazonian slaves of Baron Zemo against Captain America isn't one of Kirby's most cosmic devices, but it's pretty impressive. Early in the Marvel Age, Jack's devices were often more symmetrical and easier to suss out their purpose. (Not much KirbyTech has tires on it.)


Panels from The Avengers (1963 series) #7 (August 1964), script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone, letters by Artie Simek
Then again, the Vibra-Gun certainly has the most bizarre and probably imprecise sights ever invented. Hey, look, Cap is doing his Harry Potter cosplay! Although it's not elaborated on in the text or dialogue, the Vibra-Gun seems to destroy things by emitting a massive vibrating ray which shakes its targets to pieces. (See, for comparison, the gloves of Spider-Man foe the Shocker)


Whatever the workings of the Vibra-Gun, you have to tip your 5,000 hats of Jack Kirby to the King, who's designed it to be earth-shattering yet so simple to use that Captain America can suss out how to use it in an instant, right on the battlefield. Here he instantly destroys Zemo' "Palace," which if you ask me looks like a wooden hut covered with palm fronds. Geez, Cap, way to use overkill. A stiff breeze woulda knocked that thing over.


On the other hand, not every one of Kirby's fancy electronic devices was a winner.