SECRET ORIGINS #1 Original Cover Painted Art. SUPERMAN and BATMAN and FLASH and HAWKMAN! This is one of the more iconic superhero covers of the period, and this mixed media cover painting has colors that are more vibrant and diverse than on the published version! Courtesy of Nick Cardy, and hand colored by Jack Adler. Size is 7″ x 10.5″. It is in an archival mylar sleeve, with acid-free backer-board, and will be sent out to the new owner in these optimal preservation materials for safe long-term storage so that future generations can enjoy this well-preserved artwork in it’s lovely state. Incredible acquisition for any fan of the Dark Knight or Superman or Flash or Hawkman & Hawkgirl. This Actual Piece Was Used By D. Comics in 1972, the original received date and due date are written on the reverse. Fan recognition and the desirability of rare vintage DC items have grown over the years, thanks in part to the ever-growing fame of the legendary DC superheroes, including Superman along with Flash and the other members of the Justice League of America. This is an important superhero crossover cover from the early bronze-age, and hand-colored original artwork from this pedigree is extremely striking. Thanks to the popularity of movies with Superman and Batman and such hit TV shows as Arrow, Gotham, Flash, Supergirl, Smallville, and cartoons like Batman, Teen Titans, and JLA and the ongoing film and merchandise franchises, such covers will always be hot. Plus, Superman, Batman, and Flash are gaining fame again, in the modern comic-books and new hit films and television programs. It doesn’t get any more “Blue Chip” than this! Items like this only surface ONCE. So don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Truly Incredible Eye-appeal: Very High-Quality Paper Was Used. Snow-white whites and colors so brilliant you’ll think they’re still wet! Many of you have read about this significant find in C. We are secure packagers and prompt shippers so expect to be pleased. PROVENANCE: Jack Adler worked through all the major periods of the comics: Golden-Age, Silver-Age, and Bronze-Age. He even colored the plates for the very first golden-age comic, the landmark introduction of Superman, in Action Comics #1, when he was but a youth back in 1938. He continued his freelance work, including work for the comics and the fashion industry, and eventually became DC Comics’ premiere colorist, on staff from the early’50’s through the mid’80’s, and was head of the art department for much of his tenure, doing much of the hiring and training. He graduated from high school at the age of fifteen, and quickly got a degree in fine art. He became proficient at sculpting, pencilling, inking, painting, and photography. He pioneered the washtone/graytone effect which became so popular on the DC “Big Five” war titles. Plus, he inked many’50’s,’60’s, and’70’s comic covers as well. Moreover, he also developed the “3-D” process used on the Batman 3-D and Superman 3-D comics in 1953; –so we’re talking about a major contributor to DC history. During the summer of 2004, the living legend himself, Jack Adler, (thought by some to have passed away years prior), at the urgings of his kind family, made his very first public appearance, at the San Diego Comic-Con. He was honored Thursday afternoon at the ever-popular convention with the Inkpot Award For Excellence for Outstanding Achievement In Comic Art, and a rousing standing ovation from the many onlookers at the panel of Golden-Age and Silver-Age Greats. On Friday at the Comic Con, there was a one-on-one panel, with just Mark Evanier and Jack Adler, titled “Spotlight On Jack Adler”, and many questions were answered for the large crowd of audience member, who were kept entertained by the charismatic and respected living legend. It is amazing how many great names were hired on by him! I also found out that he invented the 3-D image technology popularly used in Viewmasters, but was unable to get the deserved patent, as the film itself had been patented, but not in a similar 3D format, so he got burned, as viewmaster was able to capitalize freely. Plus, the method that made integrating photo cover and line-drawn cover art easily into a single cover image was also pioneered by this influential innovator. The technology was supposed to be kept a secret, but was leaked immediately by a DC exec. Julius Shwartz had told him “don’t tell me about it, just do it”, and when it worked, it worked, and was immediately utilized, as the articulate and charming Adler related. As an accomplished photographer, he created covers using photographs he had taken of his own grandchildren, producing his own copies of Shazam #2 and #6, which were displayed on an overhead projector to the glee of many enthralled listeners. The picture of Captain Marvel, sitting reading to the innocent youths, was actually of Jack Adler reading to his grandkids. These same grandkids were present at the panel, and turned out to be pleasant, gracious, and kind adults. Moreover, he highly touted the art skills of good friends Neal Adams and Joe Kubert, relating entertaining stories, of course! He helped Kubert set up his now legendary School Of Comic Book Art. Once the school was set up, he was supposed to head the school, but had to back out, as he couldn’t bring himself to move to New Jersey. You could write a book on the contributions Mr. Adler made to the medium many of us know and love. He passed away in the summer of 2011, at the age of 93. Back in the “good ole days”, DC normally burned or discarded such production art once the comic went to print. Adler painfully recalled for me times when himself and fellow DC artist Jerry Serpi cut up thousands of pages of original comic line art and production art. He said it broke his heart to destroy all that beautiful artwork; But back then, nobody foresaw the future value of such exclusive pieces of comic-book history. Fortunately, during the period of 1967 to 1974, this award-winning artist pulled aside many prime examples, representing each step of the comic-making process. Nevertheless, there’s an extremely small amount of these that were saved, considering the volume that was produced in those days. It is estimated that out of 840,000 pieces created for the production process over that time period, only about 4,000 or so survived, thanks to Jack Adler; A miniscule pecentage of less than one half of one percent. This is the actual Hand-Colored Cover Art, also known as the Cover Color Guide, all colors applied by hand, over the silverprint proof made from the original line art by Cardy, utilized to create the front cover of the famous comic. Small notes and color codes are seen, to assist the printer. The editorial staff reviewed it and approved it for use, after making sure there were no errors or needed improvements, before the actual book hit the press. Back in the late eighties, in Texas, Mr. Then, years later, it changed hands again, with the vast bulk of the load still untouched… Eventually, after lengthy negotiations, a longtime friend and I were able to acquire the whole load, except for the horror, from the Southern California art collector who possessed this landmark find since 1997. For additional information regarding this popular pedigree, check out the lengthy color article on the Adler Collection in the September 2001 issue of Comic Book Marketplace which is still available in our store. A signed & embossed cardstock Certificate Of Authenticity is included, forever guaranteeing the provenance of each piece from this major historic discovery. Colors are very bright, and the whites are still white, so it’s very well preserved, but since they were part of the editorial process they can include tack-holes, indentations from a paper clip, staple-holes, chips, pencil notations, creases, tape, and/or edge wear. This one however is in amazing shape, see the scan! This museum piece would be especially impressive framed. As Usual: LOW ASKING PRICE AND NO RESERVE! KEY COMICS IS ALWAYS DEALING IN COMICS & ART! (’30’s to’70’s) Add keycomics to your Saved Sellers list if you collect back-issue comics or artwork! For more samples from our diverse inventory, including superb CGC-Graded Comics, plus more DC COVER ART from the historic Jack Adler Collection that is listed in assorted categories, please see our other items. Good Luck and Happy Collecting! The free listing tool. The item “Secret Origins 1 COVER ART Superman Flash Batman Hand Painted Cardy Color Guide” is in sale since Monday, February 29, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Comics\Original Comic Art\Covers”. The seller is “keycomics” and is located in Mesa, Arizona. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Genre: Superhero
- Publisher: DC COMICS
- Age: Silver-Age
- Product Type: Comics Cover Production Art
- Character: Superman, Flash, Batman, Hawkman