The Time Muhammad Ali Was The Main Character of a Comic

In 1978, DC Comics broke new ground by publishing Superman vs. Muhammad Ali, a 72-page oversized one-shot cast the heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali alongside Superman in a cosmic showdown against alien invaders. This unique “celebrity comic book” placed Ali as a co-main character, showcasing his charisma, principles, and pugilistic skills on par with the Man of Steel.

Contents

First of All, What’s a Celebrity Comic Book?

Celebrity comic books are a niche of the medium in which real-world stars, such as actors, athletes, musicians, or other public figures, are the protagonists or major characters in standalone or ongoing titles. In the online casino world, we’ve seen similar collaborations, as Ozzy Osbourne has done in the past with his own slot game, available at Jackpot City New Zealand.

From the Boxing Ring to the Cosmos

Returning to the main theme of this piece, Superman vs. Muhammad Ali was edited by Julius Schwartz and quickly endorsed by publisher Jenette Kahn, aiming to spotlight one of the era’s most iconic figures. Written by Dennis O’Neil with adaptation and pencils by Neal Adams, the comic was acclaimed for its creative talent and real-world star power.

The narrative begins when Jimmy Olsen brings Clark Kent (Superman in disguise) and Lois Lane to interview Ali in Metropolis, only for an alien emissary to materialize and insult Lois, provoking Ali to throw the first punch. The emissary, named Rat’Lar, leader of the Scrubb species, then demands Earth’s greatest champion fight their own in a contest to determine whether humanity deserves salvation.

Ali followed, insisting that, in fairness, Ali and Superman should fight, which leads Rat’Lar to decree a bout on the Scrubb homeworld, where Earth’s yellow sun cannot empower Superman. Over two months and under Ali’s tutelage, Superman learns boxing’s finer points before returning to face Ali himself in a sparring match.

In their fight, Superman is not able to match Ali’s speed and technique, crowning Ali as the Earth’s champion. This victory would later be tested when Ali faced the Scrubb champion Hun’Ya, only for Superman to sabotage the alien armada, ensuring humanity’s safety. The alien leader Hun’Ya, enraged by Rat’Lar’s Betrayal, spares Earth, and Ali reveals to Superman that he knows his secret identity, but vows silence.

A Legacy Beyond the Pages

Upon its 1978 release, after a few delays, the comic arrived just after Ali had lost the heavyweight belt to Leon Spinks, only for him to reclaim it later that year. Its oversized format allowed for lavish wraparound cover art by Neal Adams, and featured a few cameos from celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Carter, and a host of DC heroes and staffers.

The book was reissued in hardcover in 2010, and by 2018 had seen six printings, cementing its status as one of DC’s best-selling comics. In interviews, Adams lauded it as “the best comic book” he and O’Neil ever produced, noting the importance it had for the African American readers and its subtle message of unity across racial lines.