Artists: Neal Adams (All) , Denny O'Neil (Writer)
34 Comments - 1,121 Views - 19 Likes
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DescriptionNeal Adams passed away. I honestly can't believe it. Neal was always eternally young and energetic each time I saw him, full of life. The impact he has had on me as a reader and lifelong comic fan cannot be stated in one post, but here are some of the ways he affected me. This is going to be long if you're up for reading.Neal's talent is nothing short of incredible. His characters have influenced creators in and outside of comics. His stories had heart. Neal was not shy, and was always blunt. He nurtured many creators in the industry, and pushed others to be their best. Neal was one of the first superstars of our industry. He paved the way for other creators. In an industry that seemed to be dying, Neal was a light. His style engaged and excited readers. I've said this story before, but man, it's Neal Adams, so I am repeating. I first found Neal Adams on covers to comics in the back issue bins with The Flash and more, and at 13, I would be at the comic store, and seeing copies on the wall of Green Lantern #76, #85, #86, #87, and even the other issues priced outside of what I could afford. How lucky I was that a fellow collector, who became my friend, Bruce, and how every time he saw me he would see how I would look at the wall and want those books so bad, for no other reason than the covers stood out, not knowing how great the stories were outside of my friends at the comic store telling me, and how I'd look at the back issues, and go over those issues over and over again really wanting to see them outside of the bags. So one day Bruce said that I could go over his apartment and read the books as long as I was careful. Wow, I couldn't believe it. So I got to go over Bruce's house a few times, and read them all within a month. Bruce was a medical student so would just study while I read. I have to tell you, my 13 year old self was scared, like you wouldn't believe. And not for any other reason than I was holding comic book gold and I didn't want to damage the books. Remembering the first few pages of Green Lantern #76 gives me the chills with Hal thinking he saved the day, and having trash throwing at him and wanting to hit one of the kids on the street. Hal is full of hubris, and blind to his actions and the effects, but more on that in a little bit. Ollie saying to Hal that if he hits the kid, he'll have to hit Ollie second, and Ollie would hit back, and hard. The surprise in Hal's face, and determination in Ollie's, the script and art were just magic. You could feel the emotion and passion on the page. I think that at one point Ollie said something to the effect of going to chase a mad scientist, basically stop acting like saving the day via Hal's eyes was actually saving the day. Ollie explained the real world situation, and then started showing and walking Green Lantern through the tenament, and explainging how the tenants lived, and how he didn't understand what it took for them to get through day to day. Ollie tried to open Hal's eyes. And then reading those words at the end of that chapter in Green Lantern #76, how the older gentleman asked "I been reading about you Green Lantern. How you work for the Blue Skins, and on a planet you helped out the orange skins, and you done considerabale for the purple skins, but there's skins you never bothered with, the Black Skins, and I want to ask you, you know, how come? Answer me that Green Lantern?" And all Hal could say was "I .. . . . . can't." And then the rest of the issue Hal worked with Green Arrow to right his wrong and shortcomings by not understanding the world and more importantly, it's people. And Hal relearned a little about himself and humility to fellow man and himself. And then in the epilogue, Hal being chastized and about to be punished by the Guardians, and apologizing. And Ollie tells Hal he's not a hero, not even a man groveling in front of the Guardians, his masters. Ollie then lectures the Guardians and Hal, and tells them to forget the Galaxy, and to help America. A beatuiful country that was beautiful, fertile, and terribly sick. He talked about children dying, honest people cowering in fear, and riots on campuses. (On so many levels, this is America today.) He talks about a good Black Man, Martin Luthor King, being killed in Memphis, and has it balanced saying that a good white man, Bobby Kennedy, was killed in Los Angeles. Green Arrow chastizes the Guardians for judging humanity without being a part of us. He challenges them to come off their perch to Earth and live among the people to see what they don't understand. And then one of the Guardians comes to Earth, and offers Hal and Ollie a proposition to understand Earthlings, so they go on a road trip. Hal is ready to fly them around, but Ollie insists that they do it in an old truck. I can't begin to express how having those comics in my hand, for the first time, how much of an impact that they had on me. Thank you Neal! Nick Social/Sharing |
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Vik V
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 4/29/2022
Fantastic cover by the great Neal Adams. Congrats, Nick
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
Posted on 4/29/2022
RIP. Beautiful cover by a titan of the medium.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
Posted on 4/29/2022
Amazing cover/piece by a legend. Sad day, thanks for sharing Nick and RIP Neal.
F M
Member Since 2005
Posted on 4/29/2022
Splendid, imlpactful and historic cover.
Thank you for sharing your connection to Neal again.
Rest in peace Mr Adams and thanks for everything(on and off the pages).
Amir E
Member Since 2020
Posted on 4/29/2022
A legend passed away today. Their legacy lives on through our paying homage to their hard work, dedication and imagination. Thanks for sharing Nick. A really fantastic cover. Congrats!
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
Posted on 4/29/2022
RIP to a true icon of the industry! He did much for many!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 4/29/2022
An innovator of the medium, Neal Adams was always All New All Now as he was a few steps ahead in the way he approached the comics industry and for everything in life. Always hungry to learn more, Neal's work on GLGA explored finding the soul of a nation in one of the most turbulent times in history. It matured the comics industry to bring real life problems to the page. It did not offer solutions except to call upon us to make a stand for humanity. His artwork was a reflection of his personality that showed a fire and passion to be the best. Often times, we will remember Neal as the best.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/30/2022
Marcus Wai wrote:
An innovator of the medium, Neal Adams was always All New All Now as he was a few steps ahead in the way he approached the comics industry and for everything in life. Always hungry to learn more, Neal's work on GLGA explored finding the soul of a nation in one of the most turbulent times in history. It matured the comics industry to bring real life problems to the page. It did not offer solutions except to call upon us to make a stand for humanity. His artwork was a reflection of his personality that showed a fire and passion to be the best. Often times, we will remember Neal as the best.
Very well said, they did not offer solutions, and they were not polarizing in whom was "right", but did want to make you think.
LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003
Posted on 4/29/2022
Great piece of art but really a heartfelt write-up. I enjoyed reading it
Canada Jones
Member Since 2017
Posted on 4/29/2022
Very thoughtful tribute here Nick!! And a Fantastic example of Neal's work!!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 4/29/2022
GL and GA is one of Neal's biggest comic contributions. Among MANY, including his fight and subsequent wins for his fellow creators. RIP Neal Adams. And congrats on the great example.
Rick W
Member Since 2017
Posted on 4/29/2022
One of the greatest artists to ever hold a pencil. RIP Neal.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
Posted on 4/30/2022
Amazing, historic cover! Enjoyed your recollections in the description. Neal changed comics and made life better for working artists and for his legions of fans.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 4/30/2022
artless artmore wrote:
Amazing, historic cover! Enjoyed your recollections in the description. Neal changed comics and made life better for working artists and for his legions of fans.
Thank you as the series meant a lot to me. I was very fortunate. And this cover shows again how impactful Neal could be.
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
Posted on 4/30/2022
Neal was a giant, one of the greatest comic book artists of all time, and his work bears repeated viewing. For instance, I had this comic in my collection for years, and then, one day, I pulled it out to read it again, and I realized that the bad guy looked an awful lot like a vice president who shall remain nameless. Nefarious Neal, you will be missed.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 5/1/2022
Nils E wrote:
Beautiful tribute
thank you - this series had so much meaning to me.
Marc Pecorella
Member Since 2007
Posted on 5/1/2022
Neal was an incredible artist and person as well. I like the story Nick. It's amazing how much these creators changed our lives in so many ways. Neal was one of those guys who made noise about that, and helped many artists and writers in the process. He will be missed....
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 5/1/2022
Marc Pecorella wrote:
Neal was an incredible artist and person as well. I like the story Nick. It's amazing how much these creators changed our lives in so many ways. Neal was one of those guys who made noise about that, and helped many artists and writers in the process. He will be missed....
Thanks Marc. It's amazing how little work he did in the '60's and '70's relative to other artists, but he stood out so much. Then he went into advertising, which is what was best for him and his family at the time. It was really exciting when he came back and started doing more and more comics work!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 5/1/2022
So iconic, but just a small part of his legend and legacy. Incredible!
Michael Reyes
Member Since 2014
Posted on 5/1/2022
I just watched your interview with Neal. What a great man.RIP.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 5/2/2022
Mike (aka Off White) White wrote:
Such a wonderful cover! Congrats!
Thanks Mike! We both have an incredible love for Green Lantern, so means a lot.
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
Posted on 5/2/2022
Great story. Also amazing cover. Love the Green Lantern expression in this piece as well as that of the Green Arrow. Great lurking shadow. Just awesome and inspiring.
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
Posted on 5/2/2022
Wonderful cover Nick, it is truly great to hear the impact he made on you as a reader.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 5/2/2022
Tyler T wrote:
Wonderful cover Nick, it is truly great to hear the impact he made on you as a reader.
Thank you Tyler. And the other good thing, is I got to repay Bruce when I got older and he was in a tough spot. That was great.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 5/10/2022
Classic comic goodness by the late great Adams. Hard to top by one of the best to ever do it. RIP.
Paul Michael Moon Rogers
Member Since 2021
Posted on 12/29/2022
Hi Nick. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely words, and this piece, with us. Another stunner by the most influential Comc Artist of the last six decades. btw Jack Adler did the colours on this cover not the inks. Neal did those.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 12/29/2022
Paul Michael Moon Rogers wrote:
Hi Nick. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely words, and this piece, with us. Another stunner by the most influential Comc Artist of the last six decades. btw Jack Adler did the colours on this cover not the inks. Neal did those.
Thank you Paul! Updating now!
Bill Thomson
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/21/2023
One of my all-time favorite covers from the very first Green Lantern comic that I ever bought- absolutely LOVE it!!! Always loved the subtleties of this comic with Adams working in likenesses of Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew and Alfred Hitchcock.
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