What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Ditko
Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Spiderman and Dr. Strange, remains an enigma, though this book draws us closer to the artist and gives us a better understanding of his amazing work. Introducing the very best of rare and striking Steve Ditko comic book stories and original art, this large format beautifully showcases Ditko's work, with many reproductions of original art pieces by the master comic book artist.
As with the entire line of Yoe Books, the reproduction techniques employed strive to preserve the look and feel of expensive vintage comics. Painstakingly remastered, enjoy the closest possible recreation of reading these comics when first released.
As with the entire line of Yoe Books, the reproduction techniques employed strive to preserve the look and feel of expensive vintage comics. Painstakingly remastered, enjoy the closest possible recreation of reading these comics when first released.
- GenresComicsArtGraphic Novels
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
95 people want to read
About the author
Steve Ditko
1,262 books142 followersStephen 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 12, 2014
This excellent oversized tome focuses mainly on Ditko's non-superhero work with Charlton. Complete stories are presented, and they provide nice insight into Ditko's storytelling techniques. There are a couple of examples of his ink wash technique, for the Warren line of books. A personal highlight would be the inclusion of scans of his original artwork - including the splash page from Amazing Adult Fantasy #15!
January 20, 2019
This one didn't do much for me. I'm sure Ditko's art is important, but it doesn't do much for me. There's a few interesting stories mixed in, but honestly most seemed preachy or trite. Worth reading if you're into Ditko or comics from the 60's.
April 29, 2022
Sed. Doesn't really cover his best work. There's better put there like the creepy compendium.
October 31, 2014
The title and cover (originally appearing in Witzend) might lead one to expect more than this book offers. It's not really an art of Ditko book so much as a collection of Charlton Comics stories with Ditko art. The cover and a handful of reproductions of original art in the book do cover other aspects of Ditko's career (a couple of Marvel pages, a couple of Warren pages etc.), but a genuine art of Ditko book would need to show more range than is on display here. No doubt copyright permissions is a key issue in this regard, but then, why not call the book, instead, something about Ditko and the Charlton years?
Anyway, the result is that relatively little of what one might regard as Ditko's best work appears here. The book is still worthwhile, and there are some especially impressive pages and sequences, but the stories are as a rule unimpressive. They do look as good as can be expected, given that they have been scanned from actual Charlton comics, rather than from original art, and given that they seem not to have undergone any significant restoration. I like seeing the stories looking as they did in the original comics, albeit on nicer paper and at a bigger size, but again, is that what one expects in an "art of. . ." book?
As usual, as well, with Yoe books, the organizing principle is unclear. Though it is great to see stories from the mid-195s through the mid-1970s collected in a single volume, for instance, the stories are not presented chronologically, nor does there seem to be any other obvious underlying organizing principle (e.g. all the stories from a particular title in sequence, or all the stories of a certain type in sequence). I suppose one might compare the resulting reading experience to the eclectic experience of reading the original comics, but again, one would perhaps expect something different from a book purporting to be an "art of . . ." sort of thing, rather than a hodge-podge collection of stories drawn by one artist. Recommended for Ditko fans, for sure, and many another comics fan will probably find a lot to enjoy, but those genuinely interested in the art of Ditko might be disappointed.
Anyway, the result is that relatively little of what one might regard as Ditko's best work appears here. The book is still worthwhile, and there are some especially impressive pages and sequences, but the stories are as a rule unimpressive. They do look as good as can be expected, given that they have been scanned from actual Charlton comics, rather than from original art, and given that they seem not to have undergone any significant restoration. I like seeing the stories looking as they did in the original comics, albeit on nicer paper and at a bigger size, but again, is that what one expects in an "art of. . ." book?
As usual, as well, with Yoe books, the organizing principle is unclear. Though it is great to see stories from the mid-195s through the mid-1970s collected in a single volume, for instance, the stories are not presented chronologically, nor does there seem to be any other obvious underlying organizing principle (e.g. all the stories from a particular title in sequence, or all the stories of a certain type in sequence). I suppose one might compare the resulting reading experience to the eclectic experience of reading the original comics, but again, one would perhaps expect something different from a book purporting to be an "art of . . ." sort of thing, rather than a hodge-podge collection of stories drawn by one artist. Recommended for Ditko fans, for sure, and many another comics fan will probably find a lot to enjoy, but those genuinely interested in the art of Ditko might be disappointed.
March 30, 2014
Moderately entertaining look at several stories and covers drawn by Steve Ditko. This book focuses on his work at Charlton Comics, but throws in an occasional work that appeared elsewhere. Such as Eerie.
Perhaps in future volumes of Yoe's books he'll include better reproduced art from Ditko, but for now, Ditko's Monsters: Gorgo, and this one, simply seems to have lots of badly reproduced stories.
I would also have preferred the format of the book to have been smaller, so that it'd have been easier to hold while reading, like the 7.25" X 10.25" books that Fantagraphic Books has issued.
Perhaps in future volumes of Yoe's books he'll include better reproduced art from Ditko, but for now, Ditko's Monsters: Gorgo, and this one, simply seems to have lots of badly reproduced stories.
I would also have preferred the format of the book to have been smaller, so that it'd have been easier to hold while reading, like the 7.25" X 10.25" books that Fantagraphic Books has issued.
February 13, 2011
It's great to see Ditko's unique and expressive art in this big format. Most of the examples in this collection are from the late 1950's or early 1960's. Would have been more of an effective retrospective if there were examples from throughout Ditko's career. Nonetheless, some classic and amazing Ditko art here!
January 20, 2014
D*mn, I love this. These are from Ditko's long, long tenure with Charlton Comics, 1950s to 1970s, and all the original or photostat art is long gone. These stories are well reproduced from the po0rly-printed published stories, blown up larger to great effect.
My highest recommendation.
My highest recommendation.
August 6, 2011
There was no one quite like Ditko. His work had a style and imagination that was unlike all the others. Sort of old fashioned now, but it influenced everyone who came after.
October 1, 2011
The nice part of this book is the inclusion of several complete stories which gives a better idea of ditko's style and art. The panel layout is particularly noticeable.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews