Steve Ditko was the last of a sturdy generation of
American comic book artists who produced iconic, modern day mythology and was
among the most influential and original creators of the 20th Century. A prime
architect, together with Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, of a universe of heroic
characters that took Marvel Comics from an underdog New York publisher in the
1960s to the world-recognized brand of comic book superheroes and
multi-million-dollar movies of today, Ditko co-created Spider-Man but walked
away from the character he designed over 50 years ago, to never again return to
the enduring superhero and retreating completely from the public eye thereafter.
Seeking his own individualistic paths for creative and personal expression would
lead to condemnation from some, restricted work opportunities from others and a
reclusive life peppered with memories of interfering editors; original artwork
that had been stolen from him and a life-long adherence to his Objectivist
convictions. With the book sourcing a decade-long correspondence between Steve
Ditko and its author David Currie, the history of the formative years of
American comic books and the rise of Marvel Comics is revealed, illuminated
further by interviews with many other comic book creators from all periods. It's
an intrigue-filled story of heroes and villains, both fictional and real;
visionary artists on zero-hour contracts and one man's artistically productive
and diligently uncompromising life.
