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| Images copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Just heard on BBC RADIO 4 news that STEVE DITKO was found dead in his New York apartment on June 29th, aged 90, though it's thought he actually died two days earlier. For those of us who grew up reading his SPIDER-MAN and DOCTOR STRANGE tales (published by MARVEL COMICS), it's a very sad time indeed, as well as an unwanted reminder of our own mortality. Steve, of course, did more than simply co-create the above-named two characters (with STAN LEE), but it's for them that he'll likely be best remembered. I'll leave it to others to go into more detail on the artist's life and career - suffice to say that his work and influence will live on.
Sad to say I can't help feeling Stan won't be far behind.
ReplyDeleteBut what a legacy of work to leave.
It's when we see all our childhood heroes dying, OD, that we're reminded time is growing short for the rest of us too. Yeah, you're right - what a legacy.
ReplyDeleteAlways sad when someone whose work you admired passes even at 90 but Ditko was VERY special he just had it - I always remember seeing his Spider-Man strips in Pow the first time and found his art strangely dark (I was only 6 at the time) but I loved it. His Dr Strange remains one of my very favourite strips along with his run on Spidey - his short horror stories at Marvel/Atlas (often reprinted in Alan Class comics) in THE late 50s early 60s are art wise, for me his best work. He gave millions (yes millions) of kids anD adults a lot of joy with his craft not many folk can say that - A total legend and yes I feel a tad older today on hearing his news.
ReplyDeleteYes, these short tales were excellent, PM, as was his Creepy and Eerie work, but it's the Spider-Man and Dr. Strange stories which are my favourites. I also first saw Spidey in Pow!, though I was around 8 at the time so I'm even older than you are, if that's any consolation.
ReplyDeleteMarvel was once (in the '60s) mainly Stan, Jack, Steve, and Don. Now only Stan is left and I hope he's going to be around for a good while yet, though it seems unlikely.
Oh, meant to say, PM - you nearly finished that guest post you were going to do?
ReplyDeleteA true LEGEND
ReplyDeleteAnd the legend will live on, TD - it's just the man who has died.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always loved the use of an alternative perspective in his work other than at eye level. Whether a street scene as seen at knee high or some 20 foot vantage point. Clever to allow the visuals to unsettle the casual eye.
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite artist. His art was unmistakable and unique. I can't imagine Spider-Man or Dr. Strange becoming what they are without his fluid, flowing style. Kirby has been called the greatest ever, but Steve is right there also.
ReplyDeleteYeah, a great visual storyteller, CN - 'twas always clear what was happening though, whatever the vantage point. Some modern comicbook artists could take a leaf out of his book.
ReplyDelete******
Jack could never draw Spider-Man 'on-model', Steve had to correct JK's S-M figures whenever he inked any Kirby Spidey pages. But yeah, Steve is right up there with Jack.
Really sad news. Ditko had a unique style and co-created one of the most recognisable characters in the world in Spider-Man, as well as designing Iron Man's red and yellow armour.
ReplyDeleteRest well Steve, and thanks for all the many times I have spent enjoying your work over the years.
And I'm sure that just about everybody will echo your sentiments, DS. I also liked his Hulk tales.
ReplyDeleteAnother one of the greats gone, but as you say immortalized in his work. I first encountered Mr. Ditko's work on the Hulk (his version is one of my faves) and the Marvel monster tales, probably in some reprints here.Only later did I encounter Spidey and Doc Strange. Perfect for both characters to be sure! Stan seems like he'll go on forever!, but of course in the back of your mind you know that he won't - his love of life, the medium and the fans keeps him going I reckon. Stan has lived long enough to see his creations put up there on the big screen but I wonder what Steve would have thought of how his characters were realised? Not overly impressed I suspect. (I did like what they did with Dr. Strange though.)
ReplyDeleteDitko's Hulk in Tales To Astonish was at first based on Kirby's Hulk as seen in Hulk #1, not Ditko's own version in Hulk #6, and, like you, PC, I liked his short turn on the character. Steve did come across as a hard man to please, and, like Kirby, seemed to dismiss Stan's contribution to any of the strips they worked on together, so it would've been interesting to know what he thought of the movies and whether he thought they did Spidey and the Doc justice. I suspect he wouldn't have been happy with them though.
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