SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI: Neal Adams Video Interview

SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI: Neal Adams Video Interview

On the surface, 1978's oversized comic Superman vs. Muhammad Ali - written by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Neal Adams - sounds like the dopiest idea for a comic ever, but anyone who reads it would be hard-pressed not to find it a guilty pleasure. In this video interview from Hero Complex, Adams discusses the one-shot.

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By EdGross - Sep 03, 2012 09:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

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PsyGuy
PsyGuy - 9/3/2012, 9:40 PM
...
angus666
angus666 - 9/3/2012, 10:27 PM
It's sort of cool, but really makes absolutely no sense even in the comic book world.
musashi
musashi - 9/3/2012, 11:32 PM
Excellent interview. Muhammad Ali would definitely beat Superman if he had no powers!!
miggz
miggz - 9/4/2012, 12:05 AM
that was just a fun comic over all
Growler
Growler - 9/4/2012, 1:06 AM
I guess it's hard to imagine now, but Neal Adams' artwork was revolutionary at the time - before he started work for DC, and later Marvel, comic art was far more 'cartoony'.

I remember seeing his art back in the early 1970s and being absolutely blown away by his intricate line work and almost lifelike renderings of these fictional characters, because at the time there was NOTHING like it, the only person who came anywhere near his level of artistry at the time was the late, great Jim Aparo, and he was a poor second to Adams.

The Superman v Ali was a very odd thing to conceive, even at the time, but Adams' art elevated it above the gimmicky simply because his work was so strong. Had anyone else attempted it, there's every chance it would have been an enormous folly on DC's behalf.

His brief stint on The Avengers is well worth seeking out too.

Much kudos to the man.
CoolantTech
CoolantTech - 9/4/2012, 1:53 AM
I... I, ummm... I don't know how I feel about this, cool I guess but weird as hell
Jarvisjackrabbit
Jarvisjackrabbit - 9/4/2012, 3:38 AM
I'm reasonably certain that I could take Muhammed Ali in a fight if it went down right now.
Gary8264
Gary8264 - 9/4/2012, 6:11 AM
I rem readin' this and 'bout 40 other of the Giant Sized books back in the day.
Did anyone catch the Batman vs Hulk from the late 70's early 80', or the Superman vs Spider Man (the first cross over)?
Adams did have some talent, no, not the father of comic books, but he did help elevate the quality. As did Byrne, Perez, both the Buscemas, and many others.
To me, with comics, it doesn't matter how bad the story is (although I liked this one) the art could make it worth the read. But, the story could be great and have terrible art, and you just couldn't enjoy it as much.
"Make Mine Marvel"
preacher
preacher - 9/4/2012, 6:15 AM
My dad found this comic for me in a garage sale a few years ago. Unfortunately, the cover was so worn, cracked and the binding was loose, so it fell off and during a very extensive move, it was lost in the shuffle. Wouldn't have been worth much but damn, sad that it's gone now.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/4/2012, 6:16 AM
of course i know of this comic but i've never read it,i loved neal adams art on the x-men back in the late 60s early 70s the book was on the verge of being cancelled when he teamed up with roy thomas.
sameoldthing
sameoldthing - 9/4/2012, 6:35 AM
That was a cool comic back in the day but now they should publish a book where Wolverine stabs Floyd Mayweather in his stupid face..that guy is a jerk & so is Mayweather.
sameoldthing
sameoldthing - 9/4/2012, 6:38 AM
What would be cool if Batman fought Anderson Silva in a MMA match..Bats is supposed to be one of the best fighters in the DCU..prove it against "The Spider"!
grampageezer
grampageezer - 9/4/2012, 6:56 AM
Neal Adams was always one of my favorite comic book artist.
He brought the charactures to life with his intricate portraits, giving them much more reality and depth.
His work was among the first to get away from the standard, boring flat colors by introducing multi-color shading techniques and his covers started the trend to eliminate those annoying word balloons and caption panels so one could appreciate the artwork.
Jack Kirby was the king, and Carman Infantino was the prince, but Adams was like Galileo inventing new techniques and opening up a whole new world of comic book art that is still emulated today by modern artists.
niknik
niknik - 9/4/2012, 9:12 AM
Never thought of it like that Nomis but as long as you mention it Adams, Steranko, Smith, and Kane (or Wood or insert your own Ringo here) are the Beatles of comic book art in my opinion.
Spock
Spock - 9/4/2012, 3:11 PM
I've seen this before cool history! "He was in that thing" Its called Nation of Islam!!!!
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 9/4/2012, 5:24 PM
I gotta check this ought, for two reasons:
1. For the sheer novelty.
2. Neal Adams is a guest at next year's Emerald City Comic-Con.
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 9/5/2012, 10:21 AM
I remember reading this at the drug store by my house when I was a kid. Fun story and fantastic art. Adams' stuff from the '70s remains as some of my favorite art of all time.

How can you have a Fab Four of comic book art without Perez?
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