Beloved Comic-Book Creator Neal Adams — Co-Creator Of John Stewart And Ra's Al Ghul — Passes Away At 80

Beloved Comic-Book Creator Neal Adams — Co-Creator Of John Stewart And Ra's Al Ghul — Passes Away At 80

Prolific comic-book creator Neal Adams has passed away from sepsis complications. Adams co-created beloved characters like Ra's Al Ghul and Green Lantern John Stewart.

By DanielKlissmman - Apr 29, 2022 05:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Neal Adams, the prolific comic-book artist and writer responsible for co-creating some of DC's most influential storylines and characters, passed away on Thursday, April 28, at the age of 80. Adams' wife, Marilyn Adams, told The Hollywood Reporter that he died from sepsis complications. Sepsis is a condition in which the body's immune-system response to infections gets out of control, causing it to harm the body. According to the CDC, 1.7 million adults develop sepsis in the United States yearly. 

Adams was responsible for co-creating beloved characters like Green Lantern John Stewart, Man-Bat and Ra's al Ghul, almost all of which have played key roles in popular DC film and animated adaptations, such as Batman: The Animated SeriesJustice League, Justice League Unlimited and The Dark Knight trilogy.

Adams began his comic-book career at Archie Comics in 1959. He also worked in advertising, which, as he recalled during an interview with Print Magazine, turned out to be much more lucrative than he had imagined: "I worked for a place called Johnstone and Cushing, and we did comics for advertising and I was paid four to six times as much as a regular comic book artist. I did storyboards for advertising agencies, and I got paid better than any comic book artist got paid. I did illustration work, and I got paid better. It was a source of embarrassment that somebody would ask me what I was going to charge them and then they became quiet for a minute and said, 'Well, I don't think our accounting department will pay a bill that’s that low. We have to pay you more.'"

Adams made his way to DC in 1967, where he worked on the military series "Our Army At War." Following that, he started penciling covers for "Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane" and "Action Comics," before moving on to characters like Batman and Deadman. His distinctive artistic style caught readers' attention, making him one of the most popular artists of his time.

As mentioned, Adams eventually found himself drawing "Batman," on which he collaborated with writer Dennis O'Neal, with whom he forged a prolific partnership. The two were credited for returning the Dark Knight to his somber roots, doing away with the campy reputation he had built up from the 1960s Batman TV series. 

In 1970, Adams and O'Neal broke ground with the series "Green Lantern/Green Arrow," which focused on Oliver Queen and Hal Jordan traveling across America tackling social issues like racism, poverty and drug addiction. The book (which began with "Green Lantern" #76 in April of 1970) became a seminal period for its two protagonists. The 1971 issue "Snowbirds Don't Fly" ("Green Lantern" #85) which saw Green Arrow's ward, Speedy, be revealed as a drug addict, was honored with the 1971 Shazam Award for Best Individual Story.

Snowbirds-Don-t-Fly-Green-Lantern-85

In a 2014 interview with Print Magazine, Adams explained how comic books can have an impact on society: 

"I think the role of comic books is to be the adults while we're being children. We have to look [at] our children growing up and what kind of world they're going to be in, and try to reproduce that world in the art that we do so that the world will get there. If we don't show some of that world, then our kids will never get there. We're so close to the ground level with comic books that we're actually having an effect. I've had black men cry in front of me because of John Stewart. Just the impact. [...] If you’re in a position to do that with a whole generation of people and your brain and heart are in the right place, then it's a good thing. If you’re stupid and you do the wrong thing, you can cause trouble, and that's not so good."

Adams also worked for Marvel Comics, drawing "Avengers," "Fantastic Four," "X-Men" and "Conan." 

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Adams, Neal Adams' son, talked about his father's mentoring nature (the creator helped kickstart the career of comic-book heavyweights like Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz): 

"It wasn't until I sat at tables at conventions next to the same people I would watch treat my father with such reverence that I understood: He was their father, too. [...] Neal Adams’ most undeniable quality was the one I had known about him my entire life: He was a father. Not just my father, but a father to all that would get to know him."

Adams was a staunch supporter of comic-creators' rights. In his statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Adams discussed his father's activism for creators: "[His] career was defined by unparalleled artistic talent and an unwavering character that drove him to constantly fight for his peers and those in need. [...] When he saw a problem, he wouldn't hesitate. What would become tales told and retold of the fights he fought were born out of my father simply seeing something wrong as he walked through the halls of Marvel or DC and deciding to do something about it right then and there."

Adams left a mark on the comic-book industry. His characters and storylines impacted the superhero world in a way that continues to be felt in movies, television series and video game adaptations. His were remarkable achievements, and his legacy will live on for years to come.

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BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 4/29/2022, 5:01 PM
Best of the best. :(
ProudPatriot76
ProudPatriot76 - 4/29/2022, 5:02 PM
Rest easy sir. Your legacy will last forever
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 4/29/2022, 5:03 PM
RIP. If it weren’t for him, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster wouldn’t have the proper recognition they rightfully deserved.
xfactor
xfactor - 4/30/2022, 8:52 AM
@FlixMentallo21 - this one really hurt. Did not expect this news. We definitely lost a great one
cheeseburger
cheeseburger - 4/29/2022, 5:03 PM
to me he was one of the greatest comic artist of any generation. His influence is everywhere. Thanks for stirring my youthful imagination and inspiring me to work in the creative industry. RIP Neal
dracula
dracula - 4/29/2022, 5:05 PM
This guy was really underrated, created some great characters and storylines.

Most of the time the return of dark batman is credited to Frank Miller
dracula
dracula - 4/29/2022, 5:08 PM
One of the great comic teams, along with Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon and Jeff loeb and Tim Sale
Superspecialawesomeguy
Superspecialawesomeguy - 4/29/2022, 5:09 PM
Damn shame, the man was a true icon in the industry R.I.P.

grif
grif - 4/29/2022, 5:10 PM
blue and grey was my fav rip
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 4/29/2022, 5:14 PM
An icon of the comics world
bl0odwerk
bl0odwerk - 4/29/2022, 5:17 PM
Yeah, was just dropping by to see if you guys had posted. Neal is one of the greats.
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 4/29/2022, 5:19 PM
Loosing a lot of legends fast. Thanks for taking us away to a better place with each issue Neil.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 4/29/2022, 5:22 PM
rest in peace. His art holds up so well.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/29/2022, 5:31 PM
RIP Mr.Adams thank you for amazing art.
Nightmare
Nightmare - 4/29/2022, 5:40 PM
An icon with such a huge impact on the comic book industry. Thank you for all your contributions. RIP

tripttwe
tripttwe - 4/29/2022, 5:45 PM
I have personalized art by Mr. Adams hanging in my bedroom now. He is excellence to the comics realm. Condolences to the family...
Thing94
Thing94 - 4/29/2022, 5:53 PM
RIP

Really enjoyed Fantastic Four Antithesis
h8red
h8red - 4/29/2022, 5:56 PM
When I met him back in ‘08, I said his style was well before it’s time. Obviously he agreed. One my art heroes. RIP.
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 4/29/2022, 6:00 PM
I got a hardcover collection of some of his Ra’s Al Ghul stories for my birthday last year. He was an amazing writer and artist
IcePyke
IcePyke - 4/29/2022, 6:11 PM
Rest in Peace Mr. Adams 😔

You will always be my No. 1 Batman artist!




bobbo68
bobbo68 - 4/29/2022, 6:15 PM
R.I.P. Mr. Adams you are truly one of the greatest of all time 😔
CAPTAINPINKEYE
CAPTAINPINKEYE - 4/29/2022, 6:16 PM
RIP. one of my top 10 favorite artists.
DTor91
DTor91 - 4/29/2022, 6:16 PM
Met him a few times, and one of the coolest moments at my time at The Kubert School was when he visited, and drew a Batman sketch on the ping pong table there. Absolute legend, one of the greatest Batman artists of all time. I mean hell, so much of what Batman is today goes back to his work. But then there’s everything else he did in comics, from creator rights, to putting Green Arrow and Green Lantern on the map, to creating the GL I grew up with, John Stewart. Hell of a run. Rest In Peace.
ANewPope
ANewPope - 4/29/2022, 6:23 PM
Another pioneer gone. R.I.P.
Odin
Odin - 4/29/2022, 6:26 PM
"The world has lost its master."
-Ubu
comicfan100
comicfan100 - 4/29/2022, 6:29 PM
Dang... RIP
Odin
Odin - 4/29/2022, 6:29 PM
Not many people have had as much influence on Batman, both as a character and as a mythos, as Neal Adams.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 4/29/2022, 6:49 PM
RIP. A legend.
Mugens
Mugens - 4/29/2022, 7:20 PM
Adams was one of the few comic writer/artists that whenever I saw his work I would automatically buy it. His distinctive style of art work will be definitely missed.
dragon316
dragon316 - 4/29/2022, 7:24 PM
Lucky stiffs after all that’s happening for best will be missed
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 4/29/2022, 7:29 PM
Rest in peace Neal.
WeaponXCII
WeaponXCII - 4/29/2022, 7:34 PM
Rest in peace to one of the Marvel and DC greats. I know how horrible sepsis can be, but hopefully his condition wasn't too protracted.
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 4/29/2022, 7:35 PM
Damn, this one sucks. He went to bat for Siegel and Schuster to get credit for Supes, he championed Jack Kirby when he was on the outs with people, and he redefined every character he touched. This is truly a great loss. Really bummed by this one
Dannywest
Dannywest - 4/29/2022, 8:12 PM
R.I.P. to a legend,
QuiGonsGhost
QuiGonsGhost - 4/29/2022, 8:20 PM
R.I.P.
Had the pleasure of seeing him at a con once, and today showed some of his work to a few coworkers who weren't familiar
Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 4/29/2022, 9:36 PM
I'm not a dc expert but RAs and John are definitely legends of the superhero genre universe.
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 4/30/2022, 12:24 AM
Wow, I'm speechless. For me this hits as hard as Stan Lee's passing. I have such admiration for his contribution to the comic book world.

R.I.P to an icon.

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