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Posted July 7, 2018 by Drew Bagay in Comics
 
 

Steve Ditko, Co-Creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, Dies at 90

steve-ditkoSteve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, has died at age 90.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the New York Police Department confirmed his death. He was found dead in his apartment on June 29 but no cause of death was announced.

Ditko is best known for co-creating Spider-Man with Stan Lee in 1961, with the character debuting in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962). He also created much of the character’s rogues gallery through his run until he left the book in issue #38.

Afterwards, Ditko created the Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange, who debuted in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963). He continued to work on the title until issue #146, where Ditko left Marvel over a fight with Stan Lee.

He’s a believer in the philosophy of Objectivism, developed by author Ayn Rand. That belief found its way in much of his characters post-Marvel such as Mr. A in 1967, and The Question, Hawk and Dove, and the Creeper for DC Comics.

In 1979, he returned to Marvel and worked intermittently as a freelancer throughout the rest of his career. One of his last creations for Marvel was Squirrel Girl in 1991.

Known for being a recluse, Ditko intentionally remained out of the spotlight, refusing to have his photo taken and grant any interviews. He stated in a rare interview in Marvel Main magazine that “When I do a job, it’s not my personality that I’m offering the readers but my artwork. It’s not what I’m like that counts; it’s what I did and how well it was done. I produce a product, a comic art story. Steve Ditko is the brand name.”


Drew Bagay

 
Drew is a lover of comic books, movies, and all things pop culture. He enjoys crime/thriller/noir fiction, playing the guitar, and taking long walks. He also doesn't like talking in third person.