Evel Knievel’s story is a unique combination of myth and fact that’s hard to untangle. It’s a narrative trait he shares with the likes of Elvis and The Beatles. Some of his exploits are verifiable while others stay well within the realm of ‘it makes for a good story.’ It’s the stuff great comic book characters are made of, something that writer Rylend Grant and artist Dave Acosta are keenly aware of as they show in their comic series Evel Knievel: The Last Gladiator.
The Last Gladiator debuted last year after a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, which went on to get rave reviews. Issue #2 is now live on the same crowdfunding platform, and like the motorcycle daredevil himself, it’s aiming to fly higher and reach further than the first one.
This time around, Grant and Acosta dig into one of Knievel’s wildest stories. It’s 1970 and we’re in Daly City, CA. A new jump has been scheduled to take place at The Cow Palace there. Eleven cars stand between Knievel and glory. But what stood out from the event wasn’t the stunt. It was the brawl that took place between the mad motorcyclist and the notorious Hell’s Angels bike club, who provided security for the event.
The Kickstarter page has a video of Knievel narrating the event, as only he could. Covers, announcements, and other interesting tidbits of information follow.
One item of note in the campaign is the inclusion of fully restored Evel Knievel posters, courtesy of artist/designer R.E. Nelson. They’re printed on 12×26 archival paper. Thought to be long lost, these posters are a literal blast from the past that capture the excitement and the anticipation a new Evel Knievel jump. One of them is for the Cow Palace jump, back when general admission tickets could for as high as $3.00.
Below is a preview of issue #2 of Evel Knievel: The Last Gladiator. The Kickstarter campaign has officially begun, so head on over to the page and give it a look. It’s a comic about an icon that was as close to being a real-life comic book character as we’re ever going to get.
