Steve Reeves
Michelangelo’s concept of the perfectly formed man!
Reeves is the Greek ideal, and the western ideal, he is also a template and base design for the superhero look in comics, and used by animation studios, (such as Japanese manga, and animation)
Dr. Avard Fairbanks, a Guggenheim Fellow and one of the world's leading art figures (known as the world's greatest sculptor of President Lincoln as well as the Pony Express Monument) said:
"Steve Reeves is the epitome of a man bringing his physique into harmony with the universe he is a part of. He's the grandest example I have ever seen of Michelangelo's dream come true. It is unfortunate Steve Reeves was not living during the Renaissance period, for the masters would have worn their hands to the bone making statues from him."
In bodybuilding competition, the greatest champions not only know of his greatness, but speak his name in hallowed tones:
"Steve Reeves' physique is perfect."
- Serigo Oliva, Mr. Olympia
"A few days before the [Mr. America] contest we heard rumors about a man who had throngs of people following him along the Lake Michigan Beach front, and we couldn't imagine who could draw crowds by merely walking along the beach!"
-- George Eiferman, Mr. America
"'Immortal' is the least word used to describe Steve Reeves. His photographs are just fantastic. He symbolized the perfect physique, and he was a legend in his own time. He has been a great inspiration to many of us in the field of bodybuilding."
-- Lou Ferrigno, Mr. Universe
"'Beautiful' was not a word you usually use in describing a man, but in his case it applies."
- Bill Pearl, Mr. Universe
"The physique of the century."
- Reg Park, Mr. Universe
"The best looking, best built man God has ever created."
- Larry Scott, Mr. Olympia
"It was the Reeves movies more than anything else that inspired my training in the late 50's and early 60's" - Frank Zane, Mr. Olympia
"Michelangelo's concept of the perfectly formed man!"
- Vince Gironda
"He is a great man and has contributed much to the sport of bodybuilding … One of the best builds throughout the history of bodybuilding … Steve was a great inspiration to me."
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mr. Olympia
"I became interested in bodybuilding when I saw a muscle magazine with Steve Reeves' picture on the cover. I knew right then that was what I wanted to be."
-- Mike Mentzer, Mr. Universe.
The muscle magazines have likewise sung his praises over the decades to this day:
"The most admired, most looked up to, and most idolized bodybuilder of all."
-- Muscle Builder magazine
"The World's Best Built man"
- Ironman magazine
"Steve Reeves' phenomenal physique set new standards for bodybuilding … women still go bananas over him."
- Joe Weider, Muscle and Fitness magazine
"Mr. Everything…[he remains a] priceless inspiration to train and succeed in the wonderful world of bodybuilding."
- Muscle Mag International
(even me
