Thank You, Steve Ditko
Celebrating the artist who helped introduce us to Spider-Man.
Art by Steve Ditko. Published by Marvel Comics. All images fair use.
I thought long and hard about how to do this — how to thank a man who inspired me to be a better person through a character he co-created.
My first idea was to discuss Ditko’s life, his works, and his legacy. But you can find all that and more on his Wikipedia page, as well as in many of the pieces published after his passing in 2018 (here’s one from The Comics Journal).
Then came the idea of watching In Search of Steve Ditko and doing a review. Though I probably should watch that movie, the idea felt hollow.
I even had the idea of calling up an artist friend of mine — a companionable comics connoisseur — and getting his perspective on Ditko’s work. Definitely the best idea of the three, but also the least realistic. My friend became a father just a few days ago, and I want to give him the space he needs to bond with his son. (Watch out for that version of this article in an alternate universe, though!)
So, what to do? How to thank this amazing artist?
By letting Ditko’s art speak for itself and correcting a grievous mistake I made in one fell swoop.
