What ever happened to Steve Ditko?
Ditko retired from mainstream comics in 1998. His later work for Marvel and DC included such established superheroes as the Sub-Mariner (in Marvel Comics Presents) and newer, licensed characters such as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
What was Steve Ditko's Last Comic Book?
In 1992 Ditko worked with writer Will Murray to produce one of his last original characters for Marvel Comics, the superheroine Squirrel Girl, who debuted in Marvel Super-Heroes vol. 2, #8, a.k.a. Marvel Super-Heroes Winter Special (Jan. 1992). In 1993, he did the Dark Horse Comics one-shot The Safest Place in the World.
Did Steve Ditko regret creating Spider-Man?
Steve Ditko would later come to regret a decision that he made in the early years of the Spider-Man comic book series. Today, we look at the major plot change in the early years of the Amazing Spider-Man that Spider-Man 's co-creator Steve Ditko later regretted making.
When did Ditko move to DC Comics?
Ditko moved to DC Comics in 1968, where he co-created the Creeper in Showcase #73 (April 1968) with Don Segall, under editor Murray Boltinoff.
Did Steve Ditko leave Marvel?
He went on to contribute much significant work to Marvel. In 1966, after being the exclusive artist on The Amazing Spider-Man and the "Doctor Strange" feature in Strange Tales, Ditko left Marvel for unclear reasons.
Why did Steve Ditko stop drawing Spider-Man?
Since Ditko almost never gave interviews, there's no definitive answer as to why he left Marvel in 1966 at the height of his success, four years after co-creating Spider-Man. But one reason often cited is his disagreement with Lee over the identity of another villain, the Green Goblin.
Why did Jack Kirby left Marvel?
In 1970 Kirby left Marvel over creative differences with Lee and joined rival DC. The following year he launched a trio of comics—New Gods, Mister Miracle, and The Forever People—which he envisioned as finite series of interlocked stories that would eventually be collected in a single volume.
Did Stan Lee or Steve Ditko make Spider-Man?
Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) in the Silver Age of Comic Books. He has since been featured in films, television shows, novels, video games, and plays.
Who created Mysterio?
Stan LeeSteve DitkoKevin SmithGerry ConwayChristopher YostRoss AndruMysterio/Creators
Where is Steve Spider-Man?
0:040:51From the mission starting point I'm going to open up my map to show you where Steve. Is she'sMoreFrom the mission starting point I'm going to open up my map to show you where Steve. Is she's located up here in the park by the circular.
Who created Thanos?
Jim StarlinMike FriedrichThanos/Creators
Why is Xmen called Xmen?
Within the Marvel Universe, the X-Men are widely regarded to have been named after Professor Xavier himself. The original explanation for the name, as provided by Xavier in The X-Men #1 (1963), is that mutants "possess an extra power ... one which ordinary humans do not!!
Who is king of comics?
There's a reason why Jack Kirby, co-creator of such iconic comics characters as the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, and Captain America, is called the “King of Comics.” Considered one of the great innovators in the history of American comics, Jack Kirby (1917-1994) is arguably the greatest superhero comic book artist of ...
Who was the first superhero?
Created by Lee Falk (USA), the first superhero was The Phantom, who debuted in his own newspaper comic strip on 17 Feb 1936. It recounted the adventures of Kit Walker, who donned a mask and purple outfit to become The Phantom – aka “the ghost who walks”.
How much of Marvel did Stan Lee own?
Because he had done so as an employee, Lee did not own them, but in the 1990s, after decades of making little money licensing them for television and film, Marvel had promised him 10% of any future profits. Lee and the company settled in 2005 for an undisclosed seven-figure amount.
Who actually came up with Spider-Man?
Stan LeeSteve DitkoSpider-Man/Creators
How much of Marvel did Stan Lee own?
Because he had done so as an employee, Lee did not own them, but in the 1990s, after decades of making little money licensing them for television and film, Marvel had promised him 10% of any future profits. Lee and the company settled in 2005 for an undisclosed seven-figure amount.
When did Jack Kirby leave Fantastic Four?
In their feature looking back on comics from 10/25/50/75 years ago, CSBG spotlights the June 1970 departure of Jack Kirby from the Fantastic Four.
When did Jack Kirby pass away?
February 6, 1994Jack Kirby / Date of death
What characters did Jack Kirby?
Captain AmericaHulkIron ManThorDarkseidDoctor DoomJack Kirby/Created characters
Who refused to talk to Stan?
Well, it depends on who you believe. According to Ditko, it was Lee who refused to talk to him for the last year they worked together. You can't blame Ditko for not explaining himself if Stan had cut off communication.
What does it mean when your boss stops talking to you?
Usually if your boss (Lee) was the one that stops talking to you that's a sign you're going to get fired and we know that's not the case.
Who wrote the Spider-Man books?
The credits changed, but their method of working didn’t change substantially. Stan said that simultaneously he offered the same thing to Kirby — to give him a co-writing credit - - and Jack, instead, asked that the credits read “Produced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby” or some variation of that. If you look at the credits, very rarely after that did it say “Written by Stan Lee.” Jack asked to keep it ambiguous and Stan went along with it.”
Did Lee respond to Ditko's anger?
Lee may or may not have had a better response to Ditko's anger over the years if he actually made it clear what he was so fired up about. Instead we are left with countless opinions of why Ditko was so mad and left Marvel back in '66.
Is Ditko the greatest comic book creator?
It makes sense to get the 9th issue of the Four Page Series to see what Ditko has to say. And, while I don't share his philosophy, not all aspects of it are bad. I find his current output to be quite interesting as it reveals his thought processes and gives us insight into his thinking. He's the greatest living comicbook creator, for whatever that title is worth.
Why did Ditko leave Marvel?
In 1966, after being the exclusive artist on The Amazing Spider-Man and the "Doctor Strange" feature in Strange Tales, Ditko left Marvel for unclear reasons.
How did Ditko die?
He was pronounced dead at age 90, with the cause of death initially deemed as a result of a myocardial infarction, brought on by arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
What was the first book that Ditko wrote?
Ditko's first published work was his second professional story, the six-page "Paper Romance" in Daring Love #1 (Oct. 1953), published by the Key imprint Gillmor Magazines. Shortly afterward, Ditko found work at the studio of writer-artists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, who had created Captain America and other characters.
What did Ditko do in high school?
Ditko in junior high school was part of a group of students who crafted wooden models of German airplanes to aid civilian World War II aircraft-spotters. Upon graduating from Greater Johnstown High School in 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 26, 1945, and did military service in Allied-occupied Germany, where he drew comics for an Army newspaper.
What is the story of Spider-Man #33?
One of the most celebrated issues of the Lee-Ditko run is #33 (Feb. 1966), the third part of the story arc " If This Be My Destiny...! ", and featuring the dramatic scene of Spider-Man, through force of will and thoughts of family, escaping from being pinned by heavy machinery. Comics historian Les Daniels noted, "Steve Ditko squeezes every ounce of anguish out of Spider-Man's predicament, complete with visions of the uncle he failed and the aunt he has sworn to save." Peter David observed, "After his origin, this two-page sequence from Amazing Spider-Man #33 is perhaps the best-loved sequence from the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era." Steve Saffel stated the "full page Ditko image from The Amazing Spider-Man #33 is one of the most powerful ever to appear in the series and influenced writers and artists for many years to come." Matthew K. Manning wrote that "Ditko's illustrations for the first few pages of this Lee story included what would become one of the most iconic scenes in Spider-Man's history." The story was chosen as #15 in the 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time poll of Marvel's readers in 2001. Editor Robert Greenberger wrote in his introduction to the story, "These first five pages are a modern-day equivalent to Shakespeare as Parker's soliloquy sets the stage for his next action. And with dramatic pacing and storytelling, Ditko delivers one of the great sequences in all comics."
When did Ditko start writing comics?
Ditko began professionally illustrating comic books in early 1953, drawing writer Bruce Hamilton's science-fiction story "Stretching Things" for the Key Publications imprint Stanmor Publications, which sold the story to Ajax/Farrell, where it finally found publication in Fantastic Fears #5 ( cover-dated Feb. 1954). Ditko's first published work was his second professional story, the six-page "Paper Romance" in Daring Love #1 (Oct. 1953), published by the Key imprint Gillmor Magazines.
Where was Stephen Ditko born?
Ditko was born on November 2, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the son of first-generation American Rusyn immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia ), father Stephen Ditko, an artistically talented master carpenter at a steel mill, and mother Anna, a homemaker. The second-oldest child in a working-class family, he was preceded by sister Anna Marie, and followed by sister Elizabeth and brother Patrick. Inspired by his father's love of newspaper comic strips, particularly Hal Foster 's Prince Valiant, Ditko found his interest in comics accelerated by the introduction of the superhero Batman in 1939, and by Will Eisner 's The Spirit, which appeared in a tabloid -sized comic-book insert in Sunday newspapers.
When did Ditko return to Marvel?
In any event, after years away from Marvel, Ditko made a return to Marvel in 1979 and, outside of a short break in the early 1980s, worked steadily there until the end of the 1980s. However, the titles that Ditko worked on now were much less high profile, due both to his reduced stature as a "hot" artist but also Ditko's own restrictions of what kind of books that he was willing to work on.
What company did Steve Ditko work for?
As we've mentioned in the previous looks at Steve Ditko's comic book career, the one company that he remained the most involved with throughout his career was actually Charlton Comics, working there off and on from 1953 through Charlton going out of business in 1986. However, he is clearly most famous for his work for Marvel Comics in the 1960s. Honestly, it is kind of strange to consider that this man's five decades plus in the industry is really boiled down to a five year period from 1961-1966. But hey, people still think of Bob Dylan for what happened between 1963-1966, so that's just what happens when you make such a major impact on pop culture history.
Who is the cover artist for Incredible Hulk?
It all started with a surprise cover by Steve Ditko on Incredible Hulk #235!
HOW SPIDER-MAN WAS ORIGINALLY AN EVERYMAN
One of the interesting aspects of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko working relationship over the years is that Lee was always REALLY impressed by Ditko's plots.
WHY DID STEVE DITKO REGRET AGING SPIDER-MAN?
The problem, once Peter Parker graduated high school, is that Ditko felt that college was the time for Spider-Man to really grow up.
Overview
Career
Following his discharge, Ditko learned that his idol, Batman artist Jerry Robinson, was teaching at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (later the School of Visual Arts) in New York City. Moving there in 1950, he enrolled in the art school under the G.I. Bill. Robinson found the young student "a very hard worker who really focused on his drawing" and someone who "could work well with other w…
Early life
Stephen John Ditko was born on November 2, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His parents were second-generation Americans: children of Rusyn Byzantine Catholic immigrants from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (now Slovakia). His father, Stefan ("Stephen"), was an artistically talented master carpenter at a steel mill and his mother, Anna (née Balaschak), a homemaker. The second-oldest child in a working-class family, he was preceded by sister Anna Marie, and followed by sis…
Personal life and death
As of 2012, Ditko continued to work in Manhattan's Midtown West neighborhood. He mostly declined to give interviews or make public appearances, explaining in 1969 that, "When I do a job, it's not my personality that I'm offering the readers but my artwork. It's not what I'm like that counts; it's what I did and how well it was done. I produce a product, a comic art story. Steve Ditko is the brand name." However, he did contribute numerous essays to Robin Snyder's fanzine The …
Awards and honors
• 1962 Alley Award for Best Short Story: "Origin of Spider-Man" by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel Comics).
• 1963 Alley Award for Best Adventure Hero Comic Book: The Amazing Spider-Man
• 1963 Alley Award for Top Hero: Spider-Man
BBC documentary
In September 2007, presenter Jonathan Ross hosted a one-hour documentary for BBC Four titled In Search of Steve Ditko. The program covers Ditko's work at Marvel, DC, and Charlton Comics and at Wally Wood's witzend, as well as his following of Objectivism. It includes testimonials by writers and artists Alan Moore, Mark Millar, Jerry Robinson and Stan Lee, among others. Ross, accompanied by writer Neil Gaiman, met Ditko briefly at his New York office, but he declined to b…
Bibliography
As penciller (generally but not exclusively self-inked), unless otherwise noted
Farrell Publications
• Strange Fantasy #2–14 (1952–1954)
• Fantastic Fears #5 (1954)
Harvey Comics
External links
• Steve Ditko at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
• Steve Ditko Ditko Looked Up (archived website)
• Steve Ditko at IMDb
• Hart, Hugh. "Strange and Stranger Salutes Spider-Man Artist Steve Ditko", Wired, August 21, 2008. WebCitation archive.