AN ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: The issue came out 55 years ago!
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UPDATED 11/5/25: The landmark Superman #233 was released Nov. 5, 1970 — 55 years ago. Perfect time to reprint this piece, which is one of the oldest in the voluminous 13th Dimension vaults. It first ran Oct. 24, 2013, as part of THE NEAL ADAMS INTERVIEWS.
Meanwhile, the original art is up for auction now — click here for the details — and the issue looms large in the latest RETRO HOT PICKS. Dig it! — Dan
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Yes, THE NEAL ADAMS INTERVIEWS is an offshoot of BATMAN’S HOT-LINE, my Batman column. This is where, every Thursday, Adams talks about one of his great Batman covers. But today, the Dark Knight steps aside for the Big Blue Boy Scout — with a startling admission by Adams about one of the most iconic images of Superman ever.
What’s so startling?
He hates it.
I was sitting in Adams’ Manhattan studio for what would ultimately become this series of columns. His daughter, Kris, walked in wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the famed Superman-breaking-the-Kryptonite-chains. I pointed it out and she nodded toward Adams and told me to ask him what he thought of the pic.
I played along: “Superman 233. Do you like that cover?”
“I hate it,” he said, throwing me for a bit of a loop. After all, that image has been not only on shirts but just about anything else you can think of, including, most recently, Canadian postage stamps.
I didn’t believe him. But he insisted.
“It took me two and a half hours to do it. It was a piece of crap,” he sneered.
I don’t care what the master says. Great cover.
“It’s iconic,” I replied, fairly incredulous.
“Never ask an artist because it was, because they threw it at me — it was a piece of junk,” he countered, his voice rising at the memory. “It was just Superman standing there breaking chains. … I have spent hours and hours on covers for some of them to be ignored. I spent two and half hours on that cover and everyone in the world loves it. It’s incredible.”
“But isn’t that gratifying?” I persisted.
“Not if I don’t like it. It’s a piece of s—. I’m sorry. Don’t you find something that you really worked hard on and you really bust your ass on it and you do it and people go “uh huh,” and then you do one that practically writes itself and people go ‘This is great.’ Was I awake last night when I did this? It’s really a piece of crap.
“Well, that’s the problem. You never ask the artist what it is that he likes because it’s always wrong. He’s the worst judge of what he does.”
Sorry, Neal. Had to tell.
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MORE
— The Complete NEAL ADAMS INTERVIEWS Index of Stories. Click here.
— SUPERMAN #233 AT 55: NEAL ADAMS’ Classic Cover Art Up for Auction. Click here.
October 24, 2013
Love chatting with Neal…envy you
October 24, 2013
Thanks! it’s been fun!
November 5, 2025
Muy interesante
October 26, 2013
He couldn’t be nice and gratified that so many worldwide enjoy that cover, he has to whine about all of the ones people ignored. That’s petty. By the way, I love that cover. Next to Superman 317, this is my favorite. Many time simple elegant cover design is the best.
October 27, 2013
Actually Kirk, I think he’s just being honest. Here’s this art that he’s famous for and he never really liked it. You love it, he doesn’t. Such is art.
November 5, 2025
As an artist myself who is constantly trying to improve I can understand why someone might look down on something they think didn’t take a lot of time and that they whipped it out… But to me if something is easy to draw and I’m capable of whipping it out so to speak that is proof is how gifted and talented I am and how far I’ve come from my early days. He may have whipped it out in an hour and a half but it might’ve taken someone else’s six hours and wouldn’t look half as good. It’s a shame he hast to beat him self up. You can enjoy your past
November 5, 2025
God, I love Neal! He was always a straight shooter! Never held anything back.
But I can definitely hear these words coming from his mouth. The few times I’d met him at conventions I could immediately tell he was a pistol.
Rest well, sir! You are dearly missed.
November 5, 2025
What Adams ended up creating for 233 was an iconic “marketing” piece, hence the fact it’s been used on T-shirts and everywhere else. His comments make me think he didn’t care for the marketing side of comics, as his enjoyment came from creating art that displayed his true talent. Artists of all kinds have historically thought of their work on a spectrum of “Is it good art?” on one end and “Will it sell?” on the other.
November 5, 2025
An artist being the harshest critic of his work? I am truly shocked!
November 7, 2025
Funny. About 8 years back at the Seattle Emerald City CC, bought this print from Neal and after he signed it he noted how much he disliked it, really didn’t mince words and didn’t like the front leg size and perspective. Still iconic image, but now that’s all I think when looking at it. Would have grabbed another Batman print had I known that! Good column, great artist. Good memories.
November 9, 2025
I think I found a perfect example of what Mr Adams didn’t care for from this image or DC for that matter…. Hot Wheels 2013 Superman Series 8 Crate Limited Edition 1:64 Scale Collectible Die Cast Car Model https://a.co/d/brygoiv It has nothing to do what’s so ever with the picture.