POST FROM THE PAST: DITKO'S SPEEDBALL COVER GALLERY...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

 

STEVE DITKO is another legend in the annals of MARVEL that never seemed quite able to equal his accomplishments at 'The HOUSE Of IDEAS' once he'd left for pastures new in 1965.  Like JACK KIRBY, he tried his hardest and worked on some interesting titles, but none of them succeeded in igniting the comics-buying public's spark of interest into a flame.  He eventually returned to Marvel in 1979, freelancing for the company until the late 1990s. 

 

In 1988, SPEEDBALL The MASKED MARVEL, debuted in his own monthly mag after being introduced in The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #22.  Created by Ditko and TOM DeFALCO, he survived his own series' cancellation after 10 issues, appearing in various other Marvel titles in subsequent years.  However, much credit must be given to inker JACKSON GUICE, who transformed Ditko's simple pencils into detailed finished art, almost rivalling his best work on Spider-Man and DOCTOR STRANGE.  When other embellishers took over from Guice, the results were somewhat underwhelming.

 

These covers, though, demonstrate that Sturdy Steve still had a touch of magic in his pencil; a magic that could yet cast its spell when combined with an inker capable of enhancing everything that was good about his art, while concealing some of the weaknesses that inevitably come with age.  Like Kirby, Ditko's best years were far behind him, but his status as one of the greats is certain to endure for many years to come.