When asked to contribute a small personal essay for DC's Profiles feature, an attempt by the publisher to make its talent a little more familiar to the readers, Ditko in typical form refused. He often said an artist's work should speak for them and so in this instance an ensemble of his DC Universe characters sufficed to send the message that he'd been busy in his years at DC.
Of his many creations showcased in DC Profiles Number 58 one is stands out to my eye and that's Stalker. I haven't dealt with Ditko's foray into Sword and Sorcery, but don't fret, I plan to include Stalker sometime next year when I review a passel of S&S types. Something to look forward to or dread, you choose.
Next month something completely different.
The Ditko/Wood team works so much better than one might think. Unlike many others, Ditko is still visible and powerful beneath the polish, an indicator, perhaps,of a kinship between the two. When I think of Tower's unconventional anti-hero Andor, it's the Ditko/Wood version that's definitive for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful synthesis with as you say Wood giving Ditko's pencils polish and in reverse you had that wonderful Wood lushness with some solid muscle behind it.
DeleteNot seen Stalker looking forward to seeing it.
ReplyDeleteStalker is a gem, though an incomplete one. Four issues of Steve Ditko and Wally Wood at their finest with Paul Levitz writing.
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