R.I.P. Neal Adams 9 9

[lordbyroncomics]

On 5/1/2022 at 10:38 AM, Aman619 said:

I agreed it was bad form…. sounds like they had a few run-Ins over the years which Roy couldn’t help including in his tribute.  But yeah, eulogies are supposed to paint a rosy picture of the departed, not an accurate one. 

I don't mean to continue this topic so I don't mean this in a salty way or anything at all, but I think it's arguable that Roy is being "accurate" and many would agree Neal was being accurate. If an artist is given a one or two sentence idea and then fully develops a 22 page story, adding their own ideas in along the way, adding pacing, etc. the other person is not the "writer", they did the "dialogue". But even if Neal is wrong, like, you needed to add that in your post? As if everybody knows the context of this, it needs to be brought up?

[Aman619]

egos gonna clash. especially BIG egos.

[Zonker]

On 5/1/2022 at 6:49 AM, wisbyron said:

I don't mean to bring negativity into this thread but I was a little taken aback that Roy Thomas felt the need to reference Neal fighting (rightfully) for writing credit a few years back in his initial remembrance post. Seriously, who does something so self-serving and passive-aggressive in a *memorial* message?? There's no need at all to bring that up and I was taken aback by it; not a great move by a guy old enough to know better.

Actually, I didn't read Roy Thomas' post as mean-spirited.  Unless there was an earlier message you saw since taken down?  Here is what is currently found from a Google search.  If anything, Thomas is acknowledging his past feud (2018, I believe) with Adams with regret now that the man has passed.

Here is what I see:

Quote

The post from Thomas follows.

I was profoundly saddened today to learn that my longtime colleague Neal Adams had passed away. The news, alas, did not come as much of a surprise as it might have at one time. He was, after all, less than a year younger than I myself am… and I had belatedly learned of his near-death from sepsis last year.

Neal was one of the handful of great comic book artists to come out of the 1960s… or, it could well be argued, out of any decade. His work first on Deadman and the Spectre, soon on Batman, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Inhumans at DC and Marvel expanded the range of what could be expected in comic art, as he combined the flourish of such action kings as Jack Kirby with the more realistic approach of such masters as Reed Crandall and others. Realism, romanticism, dynamic… Neal had a full quiver, that never went empty of new arrows to amaze and astound us.

 

 

 

Working with him off and on for several years in the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, I found him both an inspiration (in terms of talent) and a challenge (in terms of deadlines) to work with. We often had problems, we occasionally “had words,” but I think we always had respect for each other. One evening in late 1972, when I was at a low point in my personal life, my first wife having walked out earlier that day, I mentioned my situation to Neal in a phone call (I forget which of us called the other), and he was there 15 or so minutes later by cab, giving me friendship and comfort that I’ve always remembered and appreciated, even though the darker days that came between us only two or three years ago.

Even after our exchange of increasingly hostile comments in the quasi-public sphere, amazingly, we retained a certain respect for each other, not just as professionals but as persons. We last encountered each other, in passing, at a premiere showing of “Avengers: Endgame” in New York City, one entering and one leaving the restroom. And despite the recent angry words, each of us said a polite hello to the other… and both of us were sincere in those sentiments.  Some things—lots of things, actually—are bigger than comic books and the nebulous credits therefor. And I like to think that Neal’s and my relationship was one of those things.

He’ll be missed, sure. How could he not be? He was, after all, a bit bigger than life, almost a force of nature. However, in another sense, it will be hard to miss him—because he’ll still be here, his artwork reprinted endlessly and deservedly, his influence radiating out directly and indirectly to affect new generations. He knew that, I believe, and so I cannot but believe that he went to his end a fulfilled man. None of us can ask for more out of life.

Sometime, doubtless, I’ll write at more length about Neal. But this isn’t that time. This is a time to reflect on the greatness of the man as artist and presence.

 

[Brian48]

I knew at some point the legend would leave us, but it's still hard to digest when it actually happens.  Neal Adams was one of my favorite, if not favorite, artists when I was in HS back in the early '80s and had hopes of one day being an artist myself.  When I "returned" to the collecting hobby back in 2011, Neal Adams Batman was my entry point and remained my primary focus until I "left" the hobby again a few years ago.  Although I poked fun at him for Batman Odyssey, it was always with respect and reverence for his talent.  So long, Sir.  Please give our regards to Jack, Bernie, Gil, and all the greats waiting for you. 

[B2D327]

Some other treasures I’ve picked up along the way including the Batman Illustrateds from one of the board’s Christmas raffles. I don’t think I’ll ever stop searching his stuff out

[Drummy]

I got to know Neal Adams' work through this book -- an incredible treasury of his work:

I then bought the JLA 138 posted earlier in 1977 (when I was eight years old) ONLY because of the cover art.  He was such a talent, and apparently a superb guy as well.  Never met him, but I wish I had.

Continue to revel in his work, friends.

Dan

[Brian48]

I have that book.  Bought it back in the day when it first came out and re-bought it again when I returned to the hobby.  As far as DC treasuries go, this is one of the best.  Not only does it showcase two great Adams works, but classic Wrightson Batman as well in addition to a full reprint of Batman 227 (back before the cover took center stage from the story itself).  

[Comics4All]

RIP!

What a legendary artist! 

[Jaylam]

On 5/1/2022 at 1:13 PM, Zonker said:

Actually, I didn't read Roy Thomas' post as mean-spirited.  Unless there was an earlier message you saw since taken down?  Here is what is currently found from a Google search.  If anything, Thomas is acknowledging his past feud (2018, I believe) with Adams with regret now that the man has passed.

Here is what I see:

 

I think Roy's approach is pretty balanced and though some might take it as self-centered by Roy referencing the topic he did, I think it comes more from of a sense of gratitude for their lifelong professional and personal relationship and disappointment that things couldn't have been better and that they let temporal emotions interfere and disrupt that relationship instead of putting them in their place and rising above it. You know, just stuff that being a human puts you through and punches you in the gut when the mortality of life slaps you in the face.

[NoMan]

What's the best Neil Adams' Omnibus kinda book with his Batman and Deadman stories. Color, not Black and white?

[grebal]

On 5/2/2022 at 2:50 PM, NoMan said:

What's the best Neil Adams' Omnibus kinda book with his Batman and Deadman stories. Color, not Black and white?

I've seen a lot of criticism of the color choices in the Batman Omnibus (lowbrow me wasn't put off as much as most fans apparently are) - don't know about the Deadman omni, I've got the floppy set of that and never saw the Omni.

[mrc]

On 5/2/2022 at 8:50 PM, NoMan said:

What's the best Neil Adams' Omnibus kinda book with his Batman and Deadman stories. Color, not Black and white?

Batman Illustrated 1- 3 Hardback & The Deadman Collection Hardback Slipcase......IMHO. I'm not a fan of the Omni size although I do like the Absolutes.

[NoMan]

board members chased Neil Adams outta here? Classy!

[Rob]

On 5/2/2022 at 1:45 PM, mrc said:

Batman Illustrated 1- 3 Hardback & The Deadman Collection Hardback Slipcase......IMHO. I'm not a fan of the Omni size although I do like the Absolutes.

I have the 3 Illustrated hardbacks (2 signed by Neal).  My complaint (and I'm not the only one) is how he recolored them all, giving them an almost 3D CGI shading look to them.  I like my collected editions to be high quality reprints of the originals, not modern improvements.  Just like we all want the original Star Wars trilogy movies released unedited, I would love to see a Neal Adams collected edition with original colors.

[mrc]

On 5/2/2022 at 9:55 PM, Rob said:

I have the 3 Illustrated hardbacks (2 signed by Neal).  My complaint (and I'm not the only one) is how he recolored them all, giving them an almost 3D CGI shading look to them.  I like my collected editions to be high quality reprints of the originals, not modern improvements.  Just like we all want the original Star Wars trilogy movies released unedited, I would love to see a Neal Adams collected edition with original colors.

Agreed. I'm a big fan of the matt paper though. Anything with glossy paper or bright colours makes me reach for the sunglasses.....

[Ken Aldred]

On 5/2/2022 at 9:55 PM, Rob said:

I have the 3 Illustrated hardbacks (2 signed by Neal).  My complaint (and I'm not the only one) is how he recolored them all, giving them an almost 3D CGI shading look to them.  I like my collected editions to be high quality reprints of the originals, not modern improvements.  Just like we all want the original Star Wars trilogy movies released unedited, I would love to see a Neal Adams collected edition with original colors.

I agree. There's too much addition of overwhelming computer colouring and effects in remasters of classic Silver and Bronze Age.  A particularly disappointing read for me, now that you mention Star Wars, was the recent 'remastered' collection of the original Star Wars movie adaptations, which completely obliterated Al Williamson's excellent fine line, detailed artwork. Quite horrendous.  A shame Neal decided to go George Lucas over his brilliant original material as well, something that for many of us wasn't even broken to begin with.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Ken Aldred

[Senormac]

On 5/2/2022 at 1:53 PM, NoMan said:

board members chased Neil Adams outta here? Classy!

Gotta be someone around here who can give us some details. 

[Zonker]

Try this archived thread

 

(Mr. Adams appears on page 7)

Edited May 2, 2022 by Zonker
it's a 24 page thread extending over 2 years

[RayJr]

RIP Mr Adams. I’ll never forget the day I met you in 2016. It was the end of day 1 at the Dallas Fan Expo and my buddy asked for a pic. You said “Are you F$&kin kidding me?” But once you saw my 5 yr old son you said “sure why not” I thought it was hilarious with my 1st interaction with you. Thank you for signing my books and memories you have bestowed upon all the collectors/fans in the world. You will be dearly missed.

Edited May 7, 2022 by RayJr

[NoMan]

did he always wear the same style of clothes? When I walked by him at some Los Angeles con around 2016 he seemed to be dressed exactly the same