Neal Adams’ beloved original cover art for Green Lantern #76, one of the most important and influential comic books ever published, will cross the block at Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills on Nov. 20, 2015 as part of the company’s Nov. 19-21 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction. It is expected to bring $300,000+. At the consignor’s request, the auction is also taking place with Neal Adams’ complete support and approval. For this unique event Adams will share in the proceeds while an additional portion of the proceeds will also be generously donated by the consignor to the Hero Initiative, the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need.
Neal Adams’ Original Cover Art For Green Lantern #76 Readies For Auction
The effect that artist Neal Adams had on the comic industry as it transitioned from the Silver Age to the Bronze Age in the early 1970s was enormous. Every character Adams touched, even just on the covers (such as Superman and Superboy) were reinvigorated.
Adams’ iconic cover is striking and symbolic; this issue broke more than just the lantern pictured on the cover. The cover brilliantly added Arrow’s name to the title and logo of the book at the same time it created the first “buddy book” in the comic industry, the equivalent to the “buddy movie.” It also allowed writer Denny O’Neil to launch into a 13 issue run that dove into political and sociological themes like no comic had before.
