Green Lantern #85 – DC Comics, August/September 1971 – Artist: Neal Adams.
Controversial, shocking and much sought after. One of Neal Adams’ signature covers.
A great comic book cover matching each day of the year, 1 through 365. Please chime in with your favourite corresponding cover, from any era.
I know. I know. This is a “classic Neal Adams cover”, and there was limited competition for Day 85 so I fully expected this issue to be the choice. But among the portfolio of Neal Adams covers this one has always seemed to be HIGHLY overrated, while Brave and the Bold 85 is a much more appealing Adams cover, and a fantastic look at Green Arrow.
I know what you are saying Derrick, pure art wise there are stronger Adams covers but sometimes it has to go past the art (Superman #75). It’s hard to argue the shock factor and impact this cover had on fans.
As I called it yesterday I am with Walt on this one. No question BB #85 is more appealing, but GL #85 is more _arresting_. I also disagree that this cover is “HIGHLY overrated”, I think it is one of the best Adams covers. Aside from the detailed ranking of Adams covers and appeal factor, I will argue two other points. BB #85 is murky due to the color choices – one of my criteria for this exercise is that the cover should jump out at you, and while the pencils/inks alone could possibly do this, they are dragged down by the color choices. Second, my choices generally tell a story – there is a bit of a story in BB #85 (GA has a new costume! The senator’s been shot! (For some reason by some tiny bad guys.)) – but there is a lot more story in GL #85.
I am picking Jungle for #86, but I really wanted to pick G.I. Combat. Jungle edges it out given the action/tension/perspective, but G.I. Combat _really_ tells a story, and in a pretty unique way (at least for comics). I chased a high grade copy of this book awhile back, but I couldn’t go the extra mile because I am sitting on a high grade copy of a Thursday pick, and I didn’t want to concentrate in what I see as a pretty rarefied sector.
Otherwise without Mr. Adams we again would be in very tough shape. My picks of his:
Brave and the Bold
GL
JLA
4.5
Powerful cover. Sometimes it’s not just about the art.