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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Cover to Cover: 100-Page Super Spectacular #6

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This beautiful, poster-ish cover by Neal Adams graces a reprint collection made up of stories starring the JLA, the JSA, The Spectre, Johnny Quick, The Vigilante, Wildcat, and Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

If I remember correctly, I think there was an interview with Adams where he mentions some DC editors criticized this piece because it was so "boring"--just a bunch of heroes standing around. But that's of course what makes it so unusual and compelling!

It would have been nice to have Aquaman also in the spotlight, but I guess that was too much to ask. Luckily he's right behind Supes, next to an abnormally-craniumed Martian Manhunter.


Update: As per a request in the comments, here's the nearly-as-spiffy back cover to this book:
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Also mentioned in the comments is that yes, that's the Earth-2 Wonder Woman arm in arm with Superman and Batman on the front cover. As can be seen here on the back, the Earth-1 version was in her "mod" phase, and I guess DC thought that wouldn't fly on such an iconic cover. That had to be an awkward conversation between Clark, Bruce, and Diana.

9 comments:

Diabolu Frank said...

It's always those two!

Aaron said...

I've been wanting to get my hands on this for a while - if I recall, the Wondie shown on the front was actually the Earth-2 version because the Earth-1 one was still in Mod Diana Prince mode and relegated to the back. It seems so odd that one "pose" cover would have been considered boring, these days they're so common they really have become boring usually, but since they were rare at the time, yes, this one does stand out!

IADW said...

I wondered where that image came from! This picture was used in the only main stream media advertising I've ever seen DC do in this part of the globe (outside of conventions).

It didn't have the back row, just the trinity and those in front, and to the left of Superman was the pre-crisis Supergirl but this is it!

John said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought there was something odd about JJ's head.

Rob, any chance you'd post the back cover? It's a beautiful piece altogether...

rob! said...

John--Done and done!

Russell said...

Seeing the back cover makes me ask, though...whose back is E-2 Robin's hand supposed to be on? Is there some character totally blocked out on these scans, Rob, or is it just me not seeing something?

wich2 said...

A great cover, and a great mag.

Though I think I give the slight edge to the other collection, also cover by Neal,with the gaggle of heroes all flying by!

The 100's were wonderful.

Best,
-Craig

Earth 2 Chris said...

E2 Robin's hand is on Hal Jordan on the cover. The colorist colored his hands flesh instead of blue, which was a mistake.

I've always loved this cover, but if you look at it close, it's not up to Adams usual standards. It's kind of phoned in. But a phone-in Neal Adams in his prime is better than just about anyone else!

Chris

Aaron said...

Sad that Aquaman has a big "L" right in the middle of his face.