Scripps Howard News Service
Nov. 30, 2010 -- Let’s address this right away: An oversized comic book titled Superman vs. Muhammad Ali sounds like the dumbest idea ever. Amazingly, it turned out to be a great idea 32 years ago, and has only improved with time.
It was the right decision, given the eye-popping art by superstar artist (and co-writer) Neal Adams. Most Treasuries just expanded regular-size comics, which often looked cheesy. But the format was perfect for Adams’s larger-than-life, photo-realism style, which makes you feel like you can walk into the panel. You need no further evidence than the incredibly detailed cover, which boasts 172 real people, from then-President Jimmy Carter to Johnny Carson to then-DC Publisher Jenette Kahn. (Fortunately, there’s a key.)
DC says the size made the book too difficult to reprint for years, although it seems more likely that celebrity images in the book held things up until recent changes in copyright law. What matters is that the book is finally back in print, at its original size in a “facsimile” hardback ($39.99) and a “Deluxe” hardback at regular comic-book size (with some additional sketches and background, $19.99).
Of course, it still sounds stupid. But it isn’t, honest. The story is about an alien race called the Scrubb that will wipe out Earth unless our champion faces their champion, the super-strong Hun’Ya. Both Superman and Ali volunteer, but since the fight will be under a red sun – where Superman has no super-powers – they fight a preliminary, non-powered boxing match for the right to represent Earth. Naturally, Ali proves the superior boxer, and must face Hun’Ya. Meanwhile, Superman takes on the Scrubb armada.
OK, no points for guessing who wins. But so what if the story is predictable? The joy is in the art, and in Ali’s one-of-a-kind persona. Sure, some of that is the nostalgia factor for us cranky oldsters, but you dang kids who won’t get off my lawn will love it too. There’s a reason that Muhammad Ali joins Superman on the Top 10 list of Most Recognized People on Earth, and he doesn’t even enjoy the Man of Steel’s advantage of being fictional (and therefore immortal). Ali was not only one of the biggest celebrities of his generation, not only the most dominating boxer, not only beloved worldwide for his civil rights work, but also just a lot of fun. He really was “The Greatest,” and so is this book.
REPRINT ROUNDUP
I read most of these stories when they came out the first time, and have always remembered them fondly. To my amazement, they still hold up 45 years later. These stories are typically wacky Archie stories of the time, silly fun with subtle commentary on current events. (For example, during a time of rising recreational drug use, Archie learns how to be Pureheart by reading Happy Hallucinations and How They Happen.)
Interestingly, these stories anticipate the “Batman” TV show by a couple years, being camp before camp was cool. And they’re still cool now.
This story drops hints and moves forward at just the right pace to keep the reader turning pages. I’m still no fan of writer/artist Jeff Lemire’s sketchy art style, but that’s just a matter of taste – my wife snatches “Sweet Tooth” out of my hand when I bring it home every month with no reservations.
Contact Andrew A. Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal at capncomics@aol.com.
Comments
Spidey also teamed-up with the original SNL cast and the Avengers and David Letterman worked together in the 80s.
Again I skipped it originally and again you're correct that we shouldn't judge a book by its title but for something like this truly unique team-up, it's probably (with emphasis on probably) the exception than the rule! Though I'm amazed that Stan Lee didn't try something similar with Spider-Man!
I seriously don't get this. Maybe I have a weakness for kitsch on its own terms and can't see how this is a dumb idea, or maybe growing up on a mountain in Ireland in the 70's, Superman and Muhamed Ali were equally exotic, alien, wonderful characters to me as a child. In any case they still both seem to be about equal as
a) campy made-up larger-than-life pop-culture personas or
b) inspirational, admirable heroes that brought some of the better human values to life to make the 20th century that little bit richer.
I just don't see how it's not a great match, then and now, and worthy of being immortalised by some of comics finest talents!
I can see how the 'comics are a serious artform' people might frown, but its more true to say comics are a serious 'pop' artform, made for things like this.
Yes, everyone is saying that they see now that it's a great comic and document of its times, but it would never have occurred to me to say that it was a daft idea in conception.
Perhaps in my own way, I take 'pop' culture too seriously?
Jeff said it gave me a nostalgic “sensawunda” I haven’t experienced in decades and probably never will again.
Saddest sentence of the week! That'd be terrible if it's true.
If you get a chance, Jeff, have a look at Urusawa's Pluto. Maybe not so much 'sensawunda', but certainly moving and thought-provoking and immersive ie sensawunda for grown-ups.
The campy Silver Age Teen Titans -- by the same writer, Bob Haney -- also began their series in 1965, several months before the "Batman" show debuted. Read a lot of DC's 1965 output, and it becomes clear that Gardner Fox and John Broome were also having trouble taking these characters seriously.
There was definitely something in the air in '65 -- a cheerful debunking of old-fashioned heroics, which may have begun with the James Bond craze a year or two earlier. All the conditions were right for "Batman" to become a short-lived but intense TV phenom.
Ali was portrayed as a real character and a real hero. I'm surprised Superman didn't nominate him for JLA membership. And after reading it, I would have agreed with him!
Pureheart the Powerful sounds interesting, but even if the first volume of Archie Archives were solicited for sale April 23, there are several volumes of the “Archie Americana” series I’d buy first. Maybe someday, though.
Pretty impressive guy, and I don't impress easy.
It is interesting reading these pre-Batman Archies, though, in how "Bill Dozier" they were, even if it was only by a few months. Evidently Archie and Batman were riding the same pop-culture wave.
Incidentally, Josie ran three consecutive superhero parody covers in 1966 (##22-24).