I remember COMBAT JACK bringing up this issue when I gave props to NEAL ADAMS a week ago. The funny thing is that NEAL ADAMS himself says that this was his best project evar. And this is coming from a man who has illustrated comics and graphic novels for over forty years. When this tabloid comic was released it broke all previous sales records. Read the interview with NEAL ADAMS about the creation of the book. ADAMS wasn’t just a conscious artist and storyteller, this nigga was the truth.
The Greatest: NEAL ADAMS on Superman vs. MUHAMMAD ALI
That was a dope interview. ADAMS spoke on all the details and minutae it took to get that book off the ground. When it was finally released the Champ had just been dethroned by MICHAEL SPINKS. Even without the title belt, MUHAMMAD ALI was still the peoples’ champ. NEAL ADAMS describes his affection for the champ because of his willingness to go to prison for his principals. ADAMS was a true artist and unquestionably the premiere artist for D.C. Comics during the 1970’s.
Marvel Comics may have been a little salty that D.C. went forward with their collabo with MUHAMMAD ALI. During the mid 70’s Marvel and D.C. came together for several team up editions in tabloid format. The tabloid style was nearly twice the size of a regular comic book. Think of a tabloid magazine or newspaper. As a matter of fact, these issues were about the same size as a Life magazine. They were ginormous, over the top graphic stories and ADAMS, who was clearly lights out during this time in his career was the artist they used to illustrate the stories.
Superman vs. The Amazing Spiderman
I made my dad buy me this book and some tracing paper and I spent the better part of a summer trying to recreate panels throughout this comic. I wasn’t a collector then because I was only seven years old, but I can remember that I brought that damn book with me everywhere until it was so dog-eared and torn that it practically disintergrated in my hands.
Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk
Another tabloid classic. Do you notice how Marvel characters alsways have adjectives precede their names. It’s as if being the Hulk wasn’t enough to move the crowd. These tabloid comics were also available on supermarket shelves. This helped revive the sagging industry because it brought a new generation of young fans into the business as readers and collectors.
Nothing was as popular though as the Superman vs. MUHAMMAD ALI comic. It captured the flavor and attitude of the Champ and it also showed his courage and cunning. The story is a fitting tribute to the man called the ‘Black Superman’. If you have a chance to peruse a copy treat yourself to the NEAL ADAMS experience.
