”’Stephen J. Ditko”’ (November 2, 1927 – June 29, 2018) was an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist and co-creator of the Marvel Comics superheroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.
Early Life and Career
Ditko was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1927. He served in the U.S. military after graduating high school in 1945, and began his career in comics in the early 1950s drawing for Atlas Comics, a precursor of Marvel Comics. He created characters such as Captain Atom while at Charlton Comics in the late 1950s.
Marvel Comics
In 1962, Ditko partnered with writer-editor Stan Lee''Stan Lee'' (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922 ... More at Marvel Comics. Together they co-created Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15, developing the look of the character’s costume and his origin story as a high school student granted spider powers. Ditko drew the first 38 issues of ”The Amazing Spider-Man” series which debuted in 1963.
At Marvel Comics, Steve Ditko co-created popular superheroes including:
- Spider-Man with Stan Lee''Stan Lee'' (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922 ... More
- Doctor Strange with Stan Lee''Stan Lee'' (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922 ... More
- DaredevilMatt Murdock was blinded as a child by radioactive waste whi... More with Stan Lee''Stan Lee'' (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922 ... More
Ditko also co-created Doctor Strange with Lee in 1963, visualizing the character’s distinct appearance, powers, and backstory. Ditko penciled the majority of Doctor Strange stories through 1966. His surreal and psychedelic artwork in Doctor Strange stood in stark contrast with his depiction of the gritty urban life in Spider-Man.
DC Comics and Later Career
Ditko left Marvel in 1966 due to creative differences. He worked at DC Comics in the late 1960s, creating characters like The Creeper and revamping Blue Beetle. Ditko continued working for smaller independent publishers, creating Mr. A for Witzend in 1967. He largely declined interviews and made few public appearances later in his career.
Ditko influenced many comic book artists and had a hand in creating some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes. He was inducted into the Comics Hall of Fame in 1994. Ditko passed away in 2018 at the age of 90.
