Posted By Dan Greenfield on Nov 3, 2024 | 3 comments

It’s already left for the printer…

There are so many wonderful comic-book books out right now or coming soon. The David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One Artist’s Edition from IDW (and DC) has already been released. Our own beloved 1982 DC Comics Style Guide is coming within a month, from Standards Manual (and DC). The Mighty Marvel Calendar Book — from Abrams ComicArts (and Marvel) — is now set for a Nov. 12 release.

On a personal level, however, there is no book I have wanted more, no book I feel like I have needed more, than 2025’s Neal Adams DC Classics Artist’s Edition, editor Scott Dunbier’s final publication with IDW.

Scott’s hung out his own shingle — Act 4 — and has a bunch of great Artist’s Editions lined up, including one featuring Jim Aparo (click here for the details). We’ll have a lot of coverage of those as time goes on (and sooner than you think). But now we know so much more about the Adams book, it’s not only time for an update — it’s time for an EXCLUSIVE INSIDE LOOK, with commentary by Dunbier himself.

Original cover designs. Don’t be surprised if the DC logo is replaced by the Bullet.

Here are some details: There are 70 covers. Seventy. Seven complete stories — from Batman #219, Strange Adventures #215 (Deadman), Green Lantern #84, House of Mystery #178 and #186, Superman #254, and Weird Western Tales #12. There are five foldouts and lots of pages starring Batman, Deadman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow, and that’s still not everything. It’s a total of 288 pages of original, detailed, hi-res Bronze and Silver Age art by (in my not so humble opinion) the greatest one to do it. Oh, and there’s an intro by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Plus, Scott points this out: The Batman, Deadman, and Green Lantern stories in the book are the only complete ones featuring those characters that are known to exist.

Here for you are pages from each of the seven complete stories, as well as six covers curated by Scott (with my input).

If you haven’t ordered the book, get on that! Details below!

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By SCOTT DUNBIER

Batman #227. A gothic horror cover, this has a real 1940s vibe to it. Neal shows us he is a master of composition. And look at the wash on it, and the white paint – stunning.

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Action Comics #419. An incredibly iconic cover. Take a close look at the inking – one of the few covers Neal penciled that was embellished by Silver Age giant Murphy Anderson. Normally not a team I would think of, but this one worked out perfectly.

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Green Lantern #85. The most shocking cover in the Green Lantern/Green Arrow run, the infamous heroin issue. This series addressed so many social issues, but this was the pinnacle to me. If you look at the published cover, you’ll notice Green Arrow’s word balloon has been edited to omit “Speedy” from it. A good call.

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Green Lantern #87. The first appearance of John Stewart, the back up Green Lantern (he was chosen when Guy Gardner, the original back-up, was injured). Such a powerful image.

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Strange Adventures #212. The definition of an “in your face” cover. A big, bold image of Deadman fighting the notorious Hook. I’m surprised DC decided to run this cover, as great as it is, because of the challenge in placing the rather cumbersome logo. But they did squeeze it in and make it work. This is one of the best covers in the run.

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Weird Western Tales #15. Comics artists often say how hard it is to draw horses. Neal nails it on this cover. And look at the inking! Fun fact, if you have a copy of the published book, take a look at it: The background characters are completely redrawn – I have no idea why!

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Batman #219, “The Silent Night of the Batman.” An eight-page Christmas story. Feels a little to me like an homage to “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

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Strange Adventures #215, “A New Lease on Death.” The second to last story in the run. This one was also written by Neal. A fantastic issue with Neal at the peak of his abilities. Just great stuff.

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Green Lantern #84, “Peril in Plastic.” This issue was inked by Bernie Wrightson, who did a stellar job on it. Fun fact, the splash page was inked by Alan Weiss.

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House of Mystery #178, “The Game.” Neal excelled at drawing mystery stories. This one is unusual because it is completely drawn in pencil. Frankly, it looks lousy in print, because of that. But in the Artist’s Edition it is shown in all it’s beauty and glory; it’s never been published like this before. Also written by Neal.

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House of Mystery #186, “Nightmare.” Arguably Neal’s finest mystery story. The art on this one is pure magic. Charming. Neal was right up there with the best when it came to drawing kids. Fun Fact: The little girl was modeled for by Kristine Stone, Neal’s daughter.

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Superman #254, “The Baby Who Walked Through Walls!” While not a traditional superhero story (Clark Kent is the star, there is no appearance of Superman), this is one of my favorite Neal Adams art jobs. One again Neal shows us how great he is at drawing kids, and again, the baby is modeled by one of his children, this time daughter Zeea.

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Weird Western Tales #12, “A Time to Die!” A short gem! Four pages, each beautifully inked by the great Bernie Wrightson.

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NOTES FROM DAN:

— The Neal Adams DC Classics Artist’s Edition is available in five covers: Two that comprise IDW’s official release (Green Lantern #76 and Batman #232) and two that are exclusive to the Neal Adams Store (Batman #251 and Superman #233). Click here to pre-order from the Adams store. The others will be available through booksellers and comics shops. There will also be an IDW exclusive, utilizing the famed Superman #252 wraparound cover.

— The book is currently listed with an April 2025 release date, but that’s subject to change. It’s been a bit of a moving target. Either way, since it’s off to the printer’s, it’s just a matter of time.

— Click here to check out a groovy feature on Josh Adams, Neal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning son, and Josh’s groovy superhero illustrations — starring four very familiar heroes.

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MORE

— NEAL ADAMS STORE’s Exclusive, Limited Edition ARTIST’S EDITION Volumes Now Up for Pre-Order. Click here.

— 13 COVERS We’d Love to See in JIM APARO’S DC CLASSICS ARTIST’S EDITION. Click here.