Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali

[jlroberson]

As much as I can post of the 76-page Neal Adams masterpiece, just about the definition of a "fun comic," and remain inside the 1/3 rule. This is rare and unreprinted, so enjoy this sampling.

Comments

[silverzeo]

Do think this happened on Earth-2 or not?

[arbre_rieur]

Aw, you skipped the best part. It's during the boxing match when Superman's body absolutely refuses to fall down, propping himself up through sheer will.

[jlroberson]

Well, I could only post so much...I tried to strike the best balance I could between "Sweet Adams Art" and "Coherent Overview of Story."

[lbd_nytetrayn]

So, why did green Ra's al Ghul want to destroy Earth again?

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[jlroberson]

Basically, because he's a dick. Seriously.

[palabradot]

I have always wanted to see this issue. THANK YOU!

It's actually a good story! Unlike Charles Barkley vs. Godzilla.

[buttler]

This comic was freaking amazing, but I will hear nothing bad about CBvG.

[pallas_athena]

I have no words for the amount of awesome on display here.

[dalf]

So all the black people in Pre-Crisis Metropolis lived in a ghetto? D:

All jokes aside, this story was great. And the art... wow.

[jlroberson]

The Vathlo Island Memorial district.

[diamonette]

What.

Also, awesome art.

[thebigapricot]

This is the only comic book one of my cousins saved from when he was a kid. It really is a fun read and the art is just amazingly good.

[jkcarrier]

A comic with such a stupid premise should not be this good. It's like a violation of the laws of nature or something. That moment when Ali knocks the alien boxer out of the ring...hands-down, the greatest "FUCK YEAH!" moment in comics history.

[jlroberson]

I am not at all a sports fan, and for boxing that goes double. But I have to say, when I read that page with Ali explaining the thinking behind his punches, I suddenly GOT it and never did before. Like Supes, I never thought of it as strategic. Or maybe that was just Ali, but still, very interesting.

[tpsreports]

Yes in 1976 I spent what amounted to 5 weeks allowance on this comic. And it was worth every penny.

[jlroberson]

It was Ali, and he was God in the 70s. Loved on a level few celebs are anymore. And his scandals? Like refusing to go to 'Nam? They only made him COOLER. (Compare to now when we follow celebs to watch them fail and suffer and fuck up)

They really don't make media personality-cult figures like they used to.

[auggie18]

Man, this so pretty. Neal Adams, I want to eat your brains and get your drawing abilities.

[jlroberson]

Too late. Something else already ate 'em.
http://www.nealadams.com/nmu.html

[mcbangle]

Ali, bumaye!

This is pure awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this!!

[halloweenjack]

I had this back in the days of old... wonder what ever happened to my copy? Anyway, thanks for posting it. IIRC, this was from just before Neal Adams tried to organize comics artists into a union, and dropped out of comics for a while after it failed to take off.

[kenn_el]

Adams could DRAW!

[fierysea]

Man, you would expect a comic with such a premise to be absolutely awful, and instead... just wow.

[endis_ni]

Being full of unexpected win is being full of the best win of all!

[ceebee_eebee]

"It's the sweet science...an' I AM the professor."

That is MAGICAL. I couldn't possibly love this more.

[zegim]

Damn, Ali looks fantastic in this one.

[stinglikeabee]

THANK YOU! I had a discussion with one of the guys who runs the LCS and owned this issue; he said he'd lend it to me one day, but never did the big fat liar. This was far better than I ever could dream it would be. OMG Fantastic Stuff!

[shankie]

Superman... cowering from Muhammad Ali.

brb loling forever

[sleepymax]

Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams will never stop being my favorite team. Neal Adams's pencils are really spectacular here. I had trouble reading this because I couldn't stop looking at the pictures to concentrate on the dialogue.

You can totally tell who Dick is without looking at the guide. You know he's cheering Clark on non-stop.

[jlroberson]

Did you notice David Horowitz is in there? Oh, how times change...

[joysweeper]

*blinking*

I'm another of those people who went basically "This should be the most incredibly stupid idea in the history of ever and yet... and yet, it's kind of awesome". Huh. Ridiculously contrived premise, sure, but somehow it's not bad.

Doesn't hurt that the art is so epic.

[jlroberson]

Well, imagine if this had been drawn by Curt Swan inked by Frank Chiramonte.

Sorry, I'll bet that hurt.

[megami18.livejournal.com]

Muhammad Ali, sir, I know you're too cool for Trekkies, but please don't make fun of them when making a guest appearance in a comic book. KNOW your audience.

[jlroberson]

Am I wrong in thinking that, in the last panel of page 24(the "you in trouble" panel), Superman could not look more like Bruce Campbell, including expression? That look that says, "oh, GREAT."

[joysweeper]

* adds to Better Than It Sounds Comic Books*

[psychopathicus_rex]

GAAH! Don't DO that!