I found out that today, Steve Ditko died.
Steve Ditko is, with Stan Lee, the co-creator of legendary Marvel characters like The Amazing Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange. But Mr. Ditko's creative genius went far beyond those characters - and far beyond Marvel. From Charlton Comics' Captain Atom, Dr. Graves, and The Question, to Mr. A, published first in the pages of witzend, to DC Comics' The Creeper, and Shade, The Changing Man, to ATLAS-SEABOARD's The Destructor - Steve Ditko was inarguably one of the greatest creatives and innovators of his time in the comics industry.
We wish you safe, peaceful journeys, dear Mr. Ditko.
My next few articles will focus on some of the comics that I have in my collection - first appearances of characters created by Steve Ditko. Tonight, let's begin here:
Here is a better picture:
The photo above shows a published art page (page 6, from issue #1) of Phantom 2040, published by Marvel in 1995. Bill Reinhold did the inks, and Steve Ditko laid down the pencils in his one-of-a-kind style. The Phantom 2040 was a cool French-American animated series based on a futuristic version of Lee Falk's much-loved creation, The Phantom. Marvel adapted to comic-book form it in 1995, and Steve Ditko signed on to do the pencils. I am happy, and proud to say that I own a published art page with actual pencils by the Late, Great Steve Ditko.
NOTE: If you look closely at the top panel, in the rushing mob, just in the center, far in the back, you'll see that Steve Ditko sneaked in a character that seems to bear a striking resemblance to Shade, The Changing Man.
Be on the look-out in the coming days and weeks for some of the more obscure characters from the mind of the Great Steve Ditko as we pay homage to a true legend.
REST IN PEACE, STEVE DITKO (1927-2018).
We will miss you. Thanks for everything.
Just came across this old post. Wanted to let you know that I snuck in the Shade, The Changing Man figure :-).
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