Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 1, 2016 | 3 comments

With the master himself …

It frustrates me to no end that there’s not been a Neal Adams Artist’s Edition for Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow or Deadman. Or even Adams’ covers. I’d buy it in a heartbeat and I’m not alone.

And I understand that it’s complicated. You have rights, reprint and royalties issues — not to mention how difficult it can be to track down art that’s been in the wind for decades.

Next best thing? The Neal Adams Gallery, opening 10/3 in Midtown Manhattan, at the creator’s Continuity Studios.

I popped over yesterday for a looksee and I was really pleased by what I saw: A combination of original paintings, prints, latter-day pages and some startlingly faithful reproductions of Adams’ most popular covers.

Adams explained that the gallery came together when he began considering renting part of his studio space to an outside artist. But then it hit him:

“I thought to myself, ‘Why don’t I rent this space to me?'” he said with a hearty laugh. “I’ve been selling these things on the internet, selling these things at conventions … I thought ‘Psssh, ‘Make it a gallery.'”

Adams with his gorgeous original painting of two guys you mighta heard of.

So he did. The gallery is located at 15 W. 39th Street. To check it out, call ahead at 212-869-4170. Its opening coincides with New York Comic Con, so if you’re an out-of-towner, make your plans now.

Admission is free, but you can bring books to be signed for $30 per signature, Adams’ convention rate. In addition, if you’re a serious buyer, you can purchase the original art. And down the line, Neal told me, he plans to have giclee prints available for purchase.

And if you want a taste of the dozens of pieces on display — which will rotate — check out 13 of my favorites here:

A hand-painted Superman triptych

An unbelievably accurate reproduction by Adams. My favorite cover.

I told Neal that I had a birthday coming up. He just kind of snorted. Oh, well. Hope springs eternal!