Marvel Visionaries: Steve Ditko

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #1, 31-33, Annual #1

by Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, Scott Lobdell

In celebration of its 65th anniversary, the House of Ideas proudly presents a timeless testament to another true Marvel visionary! Best known as the first artist to bring Spider-Man to life in the pages of Amazing Fantasy, Steve Ditko illustrated Amazing Spider-Man for four years - helping create characters such as Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, the Vulture, and dozens more of Spider-Man's classic villains. In contrast to the grounded realism of Spider-Man, Ditko also drew the adventures of Doctor Strange, a master of the mystic arts who defended Earth's citizens from bizarre otherworldly threats. Now, this deluxe keepsake edition collects his greatest moments. Stories from Tales To Astonish #26, 42; Strange Tales #94, 97, 110, 115, 126-127; 146; Amazing Adult Fantasy #7, 10, 12-13; Amazing Spider-Man #1, 31-33, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1; Hulk #6, 249; Tales Of Suspence #48, Daredevil #162; MSHS, Speedball #1.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Fiction

344 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2005

About the author

Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko was an American comic book artist and writer best known as the co-creator of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.

He was inducted into the comics industry's Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990, and into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, overall, a Good Read. Ditko is a creator that either people love or hate. I've always liked his style. It's different and completely his...no one else can do "Ditko" when they try it looks bad....
Not only to I like his art style, I'm also a fan of him, personally. He's live his life to his standard, and he's tried not to comprised too much.
The book has lots of stories that I've never read before...never was a big fan of Doc Strange, so reading those was something new for me...glad to see it included the intro of Clea and the Dreaded Dormammu!
The highlight of this book was the Spider-man story, from issue #31-33. This is one of the greatest Spider-Man stories, ever. Heck, it's one of the greatest comic books stories ever...people have been giving Stan Lee some flack lately....this story, based on a plot by Ditko, but the dialogue is all Stan, shows how he worked with different talent...Stan brought to the story what was needed, and step away to let the artist do there thing...
Anyways. This is a book that any serious collector should have, unless they own the original books...

[Matthew Ledrew]

Tales To Astonish #26: _Stars
Tales To Astonish #42: _Stars
Strange Tales #94: _Stars
Strange Tales #97: _Stars
Strange Tales #110: _Stars
Strange Tales #115: _Stars
Strange Tales #126: _Stars
Strange Tales #127: _Stars
Strange Tales #146: _Stars
Amazing Adult Fantasy #7: _Stars
Amazing Adult Fantasy #10: _Stars
Amazing Adult Fantasy #12: _Stars
Amazing Adult Fantasy #13: _Stars
Amazing Spider-Man #1: 5 Stars
Amazing Spider-Man #31: 5 Stars
Amazing Spider-Man #32: 5 Stars
Amazing Spider-Man #33: 5 Stars
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1: 5 Stars
Hulk #6: _Stars
Hulk #249: _Stars
Tales Of Suspense #48: _Stars
Daredevil #162: _Stars
Speedball #1.: _Stars

[Philip Girvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Amazing Spider-Man and Doctor Strange stories are the best of the stories included, and the early sci-fi stuff he and Stan Lee did was new to me. Book is a nice showcase of Ditko's talent.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never held Ditko in the same regard as some of the other great "founding father" comic artists, but hoped this collection would change that or give me something new to appreciate. No such luck. Don't get me wrong, the three issue Spider-Man arc here (culminating with the classic "lifting tons of machinery" scene) might be the definitive Spidey story and his trippy take on Dr. Strange has been the bedrock of anything mystic in the Marvel Universe ever since. But the guy also created Speedball and Squirrel Girl.

The early sci-fi stories are a rarely seen bit of history, but not particularly entertaining and the hodgepodge of superhero stuff seems like filler, lacking any real standout qualities. Ditko's philosophy and the way it shaped his storytelling is the most interesting thing about the man and it is never addressed here, the most glaring omission in a collection in need of substance.

[Chris Aylott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't adore Ditko's art style, but he drew a LOT of classic Marvel stores, so this is quite a trip down memory lane. It's also fun to see how often Stan Lee used to inject himself and Ditko into their own stories in the early days.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great stuff here, particularly the Spider-Man issues #31-33 and all of the Doctor Strange stories. The rest of it varies wildly, including some okay stuff and some real dreck (most of which is the fault of the writer, not Ditko).

[The Miracle Man]

Very unique individual is Steve Ditko. He went all out on a lot of his stories. He did feel very heavily slighted by Stan Lee.

[Ellie Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

41/100

[Ben Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

this guy did spirerman he is weird but the dude