Writer Stan Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber December 28, 1922 in New York City. He worked his way up from the lowly ranks of what was then known as Timely Comics to become the driving creative force of a world-class, pop culture powerhouse. His creations represent the bulk of Marvel's Silver Age: Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil and many more. He lived long enough to make cameos in the box office juggernaut known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Artist Steve Ditko was born November 2, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. While he deserves massive credit as the co-creator of both Spider-Man and Dr. Strange, his time with Marvel was relatively brief, leaving in 1966 for reasons he never specified. For DC, he created or co-created the Question, the Creeper, Shade the Changing Man and Hawk and Dove. Whereas Lee embraced the limelight, Ditko was more reclusive, mostly declining interviews and public appearances.
Both Lee and Ditko passed away in 2018.
My Recent Reads
The Amazing Spider-Man #18
Originally Published November 10, 1964
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
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| via Wikipedia |
Artist Steve Ditko was born November 2, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. While he deserves massive credit as the co-creator of both Spider-Man and Dr. Strange, his time with Marvel was relatively brief, leaving in 1966 for reasons he never specified. For DC, he created or co-created the Question, the Creeper, Shade the Changing Man and Hawk and Dove. Whereas Lee embraced the limelight, Ditko was more reclusive, mostly declining interviews and public appearances.
Both Lee and Ditko passed away in 2018.
My Recent Reads
The Amazing Spider-Man #18
Originally Published November 10, 1964
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
- Villain: Sandman
- Crossovers: Fantastic Four, Avengers, Daredevil
The Amazing Spider-Man #19
Originally Published December 10, 1964
Lee/Ditko
- Villains: Sandman and the Enforcers
- Crossover: Human Torch
- Evidently, Betty and Peter are not exclusive. She's seeing another guy: Ned Leeds. In fact, she's hoping to make Peter jealous. It doesn't work. Actually, Peter and Ned like each other just fine.
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| via Wikipedia |
Originally Published January 10, 1965
Lee/Ditko
- Villain: the Scorpion is introduced.
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| via Marvel's Spider-Man Wiki |
Originally Published February 10, 1965
Lee/Ditko
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| via Villains Wiki |
- Villain: the Beetle, first introduced in Strange Tales #123
- Crossover: Human Torch
Ah, Ned Leeds...
ReplyDeleteBut I don't want to spoil anything.
Hobgoblin...
DeleteI think spoilers are fair game. I mean I already know about Gwen Stacey and Jean Grey. Most of the other developments are less shocking, right?
It's not -just- that he becomes Hobgoblin...
DeleteHobgoblin might be my favorite Spidey villain. The Leeds Hobgoblin.
But I'm not sure.
It's early going. Too soon for me to pick a favorite.
DeleteStan Lees characters leapt off the comic book pages and onto the big screen which is such an amazing feat. Its safe to say... Lee found a way to tap into the power of his super heroes, thor etc cos like he did live to 95! (movie possibility right? :)... but seriously these guys Lee and Steve Ditko are legends, science fiction fans owe them so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a Stan Lee biopic!
DeletePapa Stan has gotten lots of love over the decades and its entirely deserved. Artists Ditko and Jack Kirby should get a lot more credit. Ditko's work on Spidey is astonishingly good, an essential element of the long legacy.
2018 was a sad year for comic book fans. Andrew is right that Leeds is the best Hobgoblin. A Stan Lee biopic would be amazing! Great post
ReplyDeleteMaurice! Always great to hear from you.
DeleteSad in a way. Big picture, though, it's affirming to be able to celebrate long lives with enduring legacies.
Stan Lee was someone who I never considered would pass away. In the back of my head he was just too much of a cultural fixture. I hope the MCU finds a way to keep him appearing in the movies. Like Carrie Fisher in Rogue One or simply having a picture of him show up in the movies.
ReplyDeleteThat was how I felt about Aretha Franklin: some people should be allowed to live forever. I have no doubt they'll find a way to preserve the legacy. Frankly, they owe him everything.
DeleteI totally forgot about The Beetle character.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the brief history and tribute of Lee and Ditko.
My pleasure!
Delete