SUPERMAN Specialty Piece - Circa 1970's
Artists: Mike Nasser? (Penciller) , Neal Adams? (Inker)
31 Comments - 1,158 Views - 24 Likes
Additional Images:
Rubinstein's Opinion on Who Drew This
SUPERMAN Specialty Piece - Rubinstein Version
Artwork Details
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DescriptionNewest Update: Sunday, March 24th 2024 - Just an hour ago, longtime inker Joe Rubinstein posted a screen cap of this piece on his Facebook profile, with a comment that adds his thoughts towards who may have done the art for this piece. I've added my own screen cap of his Facebook post up above as another additional image for you all to see and read.Same Day Edit: I've suspected since the moment I first laid eyes on this piece that Neal Adams may have worked on this piece, whether it be pencils or inks, but will need to see enough circumstantial evidence before I credit Adams with any part of this. But interestingly enough, fellow collector Shaun Clancy pointed me to a Facebook post written by Joe Rubinstein claiming that he had inked the piece. I doubted that, even though Rubinstein had been at continuity during the 70's, so I had Shaun point me to Rubinstein's post so I could see it for myself. That's when a small mystery turned into a bigger one. Rubinstein had posted the image he had inked over Mike Nasser and yes, I immediately recognized HIS image having HIS inks. I've posted that scan as an additional image for you all to see. The mystery lies with the fact that the piece he inked is NOT the same piece of art I own and have posted here. Neal is well known for redrawing and reusing the same poses, so it's not surprising that there's more than one piece with the same Superman pose. So the question still remains: Did Neal Adams work on this specific piece I own? Hopefully more information will come to light at some point.... While the Incredible Hulk was the Marvel character I first gravitated to and loved, at DC it was Superman who first ensnared me in his steely grip. I was first exposed to him via the Super Friends animated show on Saturday mornings during the mid 1970's, but it was the 1978 feature film that really made me love the character. Unfortunately for me, as much as I wanted to make the Superman and Action Comics titles a part of my monthly reading when I started collecting comics in 1982, I just didn't see any of the drama in the comics that I saw and felt in the film. It was painfully obvious to me that DC had never developed any viable villains who could go toe to toe with Superman and pose a challenge to him. It wasn't until 5 years later when John Byrne made the move to DC to revamp the character that I finally had a reason to start reading the Superman books. However, in as much as the stories didn't attract me in the pre-Byrne era, I did enjoy looking at the covers which adorned the two monthly titles, as they were often drawn by Garcia-Lopez, Buckler, Adams, etc. When I perused 1970's back issues, I loved looking at the Adams covers, which were brilliantly done. Having also discovered Mike Nasser's work from that time period, I also loved seeing his stuff as well because he had an incredible understanding of Adams' illustrative approach and emulated it almost perfectly. So although I haven't often collected specialty pieces during my 26 years in this great hobby, I just felt compelled to grab this when it popped up, because it is clearly 1970's vintage Nasser and even more importantly, it was priced at around HALF of what it was fairly worth at the time, so it was a no-brainer. I've often preached about spending as much free time as possible to follow market prices in order to have as good and up to date understanding of what art is worth, and in situations like this one where the dealer didn't know the true value, I was able to take advantage of that lack of pricing knowledge and got an absolute steal. I paid the same for this beautiful, vintage Nasser Superman piece as many artists would charge to draw a single character in pen an ink today. These types of bargains don't come along often, but when they do, knowing your shit comes in handy and you can get yourself great art at even greater prices. So as I often say, when it comes to prices/values, do your homework, people! I also want to mention that artists didn't typically draw the type of decorative, outer border you see on this piece when drawing a piece for fans, nor did they typically draw fan art with the same tools they used for their published assignments. Both of those elements are present here and that makes me think this was likely done as a contribution for a fanzine or prozine of the era, or perhaps even more likely, licensed merchandise such as t-shirts, bed sheets, posters, slurpee cups, etc. But unless/until I find a published usage, I'll keep it listed as unpublished. Either way, this piece offers great 1970's "Neal Adams" Superman art but at "Mike Nasser price", which is cheap for what it is, even if I'd had to have paid full FMV for it. Most importantly, it being of the vintage that it is, brings me back to that time when I really fell in love with Superman as Christopher Reeve brought him to life for me. So cool! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rick W 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Classic image that would look right at home on a poster, t-shirt, tattoo or postal stamp!
* bronze-is-gold
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Superman as he should be! Prime Nasser period. Great image!
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
It's always nice to see a piece by Mike !! It looks he restrained himself when inking it, he usually leans more towards chiaroscuro.
Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
I'm a Nasser/Netzer fan and this is a terrific example o fhis work. Congrats!
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
That is a great looking piece. Such a classic looking image. Congrats Rubén. I am always a fan of homework and it looks like this one paid off.
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Uber-classic Superman image with great Neal Adams vibe, great pick-up Ruben!
Steve Lipsky
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Awesome Nasser Superman piece! Practically screams the 1970's and, at first glance, looks just like a Neal Adams Superman. Great pick-up, Ruben!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
A wonderful classically vintage Superman piece that definitely has (as you astutely pointed out) that "I was published somewhere, or I was *meant* to be published somewhere" finished look to it. Congrats on grabbing a piece at a steal price. As we all know, that is a rarity, but when it happens ... oh how sweet it is. Really a beauty -- congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 12/20/2022
There's an artwork somewhere
For all the comic fans
And I'll find it someday
For you by Nasser’s hand
I still need you there to guide me
No matter what I choose
For I know I better find you on YouTube
There is always some fun
Chris Reeve to us, they say
And he’ll be my someone
For Superman always
I could search the whole world over
Until my life is through
But I know I'll never find Hart's van for you
Hart R.
Member Since 2004
2 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Marcus Wai wrote:
There's an artwork somewhere
For all the comic fans
And I'll find it someday
For you by Nasser’s hand
I still need you there to guide me
No matter what I choose
For I know I better find you on YouTube
There is always some fun
Chris Reeve to us, they say
And he’ll be my someone
For Superman always
I could search the whole world over
Until my life is through
But I know I'll never find Hart's van for you
"VAN LIFE 4EVER!" :D
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
LOVE it! Congrats Ruben!
Troy C. Punswick
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
Nasser does a great Superman! Congrats!!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
This is a lovely piece, and at a great price to boot. Many congratulations!
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 12/20/2022
I feel like this is just the beginning. Today, Buchanan, tomorrow, who knows? Governor Barbarino, Senator Barbarino, Emperor Barbarino! [Sweathogs cheer] You know, Julius Caesar was an Italian.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/21/2022
Even if Adams didn't touch the piece, Nasser did a great job at emulating his work (but then again, Nasser was known for "aping" Neal a bit at some point, wasn't he?)
Paul Michael Moon Rogers
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/21/2022
Adams' 1977/78 version of this image was used on Tote Bags, 7-up caps, Iron-on transfers and other licensing material too. It recently sold on HA in late 2018 and is distinguishable by the pasted on, resized head. The Nasser(?)/Rubinstein.version seems to have been a repenciled version of Neals original layout. There's a 2nd, identical one of those on another persons CAF profile. Both look like photocopies. I havn't seen your one before but it certainly looks intruiging. No idea who the inks are on this though.
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/21/2022
Whether Nasser or Adams, it's all awesome. I definitely recognize the pose from merchandising, and I'd lean Adams due the comfort or redrawing/reusing that pose. Also, those corrections point to published to me. Otherwise, why touch it up like that? Art and a mystery? You got a deal, Rubén. Congrats! To the Mystery Machine, Scoob
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 12/21/2022
Cool looking piece regardless of the artist. Certainly has a latter half of the 1970s feel to it.
Lee P
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/22/2022
Very nice vintage Superman piece of art. Congrats Ruben!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/22/2022
To me anyone else than Neal Adams have ever drawn better Superman and Batman (IMHO). Super classic legendary SUPERMAN! I love it! That's all.
Paul Michael Moon Rogers
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/23/2022
The Mystery deepens. Something I wasn't aware of until I read the back story on this was that Neal's version for the licensing material was a re-drawn, re-inked version of this Nasser pose. And then Sal Quartuccio posted the history of the Nasser piece on the Neal Adams Appreciation page.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/21/2023
Just straight quintessential Supes! Makes you think of the classic comic look AS well as the original Reeves flick. Perfect pose and also perfect that he's smiling - I've always thought of Kal-El as THE hopeful character. And I have to say...that white ink correction adds a nice vintage-y feel I dig :) Congrats!
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/9/2023
Personally, being a fan of both Nasser and Adams, if lean heavily towards this at least being pencilled by Mike. Those fists are more typical of how he's drawn them. And Supes' face has some of Mike's idiosyncrasies as well.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/10/2023
Egads - how did I miss this one? Thankfully, it was the piece before your most recently posted piece, so I can't be -that- late to the party, right? 😜 A -really- lovely Superman example, the visual of which is as beautiful, powerful, and straightforward as the inker mystery behind it is subtle and ensnaring. Always such a special treat to find a gem like this in the bargain bin; congrats on having the chops to pull it out and spotlight it accordingly! Great pick up, Rubén!
Tom McDonald
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 3/25/2024
Great pickup! Reminds me of that Superman 233 cover we discussed.
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