Neal Adams has died. In many ways he illustrated my youth. He was crucial in changing the way comic books look and how the comic industry treat its talent, using his significant influence to bring about changed conditions on behalf of the generations which preceded him and those that came after.
Neal Adams was the rock star in comics when I first skated in for a look-see. He was a young yet mature talent, the beginning of a wave of talents who would soon enter the field and supplant the hoary veterans who had been manning the battlements of comics since the earliest days. The thing about Neal Adams is that he didn't draw comics like anyone else, his work was much more realistic in many ways, infused with a drama and depth of field which had not been the standard of a field which rewarded stalwart abstraction. Adams was an illustrator who turned to comics, but he did so with a dedication and a relish which made him a favorite of editors and fans. He broke at DC, doing a few things here and there on the outer edges and I first found him on Deadman in Strange Adventures, a weirdo comic if there ever was one. About this same time, he got a gig on Batman in The Brave and the Bold. I think the breakthrough for Adams for me was when gave us a new Green Arrow. Here was a hero who had been the very definition of bland for much of his days and now he was suddenly the interesting guy at the dance, dangerous and quixotic and draw very, very well. With Denny O'Neil as the writer Neal Adams had Ollie Queen hook up with another hero on the rocks named Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and the duo changed comics pretty much. Next Adams took on the whole of the Bat-mythos and redefined the series which had struggled a bit since the wonderful TV show had mired it in a light-heartedness which was not really core to the character. Batman was fucking scary when Neal Adams drew him. And like all great talents eventually Adams switched teams and joined Marvel for some highly memorable issues of The X-Men, The Avengers, and Amazing Adventures starring the Inhumans. By this time Neal Adams had a ticket to ride where he wished and he became one of the guys who kept telling us all that comics could be more. Turns out he was right.
Here are just a few covers by Adams which altered my world view. At the top of this post is the very first Adams cover I bought for myself.
Rest in Peace Mr. Adams.
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Great tribute Rip I only found out about the sad news early Saturday morning ( about 2am) and just had to obble together something on my blog before heading to bed as he was so much a part of my teenage\young life that I had to acknowledge it. You said it all very well. Sad day indeed thoughts of course are with his family and friends at this time.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I found out about his passing yesterday. Th news swept through the community. I've lauded Neal Adams on more than a few instances, so it was not hard to stitch together something. Some comic talents pass and we in the community salute them, but Adams was a big important talent and his passing affected more than just us comic book folk.
DeleteA great tribute and choice of covers, particularly leading with Superman #205 as a great example of his late Silver Age work. With Neal's passing, I can only think of Roy Thomas remaining of that cadre of young creators that entered comics in the mid 60s, ahead of those who appeared in the early 70s. But Neal's passing draws a line under the Silver Age for me. A huge talent who genuinely changed comics.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't feel all that long ago. But time moves on doesn't it. I agree that Adams was arguably the major talent of his generation. Steranko for all his skill didn't produce enough work. Other though talented didn't have the impact of Adams on so many covers for so many years.
DeleteIt's a cliche for sure, but nonetheless true - his name and his work will endure.
ReplyDeleteThings become cliches because they speak of lasting truths. I agree on this one. His work has left an indelible mark on the field in many ways.
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