In Search of Steve Ditko

[WannabeMego]

Did a Search on the Forum(s) before posting to make sure no one else posted this...couldn't find anything...so here goes...

I'm pretty sure die-hard Spidey Fans have seen or know about this, but for those that don't:

In Search of Steve Ditko is a BBC Four documentary. It was first shown on Sunday 16 September 2007.

The documentary is part of the Comics Britannia season and follows Jonathan Ross' attempts to track down comics artist Steve Ditko (known for Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Mr. A etc.).

The programme featured interviews with comics creators, editors and others including Jerry Robinson, John Romita Sr., Neil Gaiman, Joe Quesada, Ralph Macchio, Flo Steinberg, Alan Moore, Mark Millar, Stan Lee, and Cat Yronwode.

Disclaimer: All rights held by copyright owner and any content will be removed immediately at their request. Presented here for educational, criticism, entertainment and nostalgia purposes only.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=CwmfkclY1DI

Enjoy

[warlock664]

Yeah, I watched it a couple of years ago. Pretty cool.

[Iron Mego]

Ooh, this looks cool.

[johnmiic]

It's cool but Ditko never allows himself to be interviewed. That's a big let-down.

[ubermanx]

Watching it as we speak ... to see him and those two 10 year old actors man handle that copy of Amazing Fantasy 15 is giving my Collector OCD absolute fits.

- Marty

[samurainoir]

Love this doc Tom!

great bit at the end with gaiman and ross.

[Blue Meanie]

Having watched it, one thing still hasn't changed in my mind....Stan Lee is an ***. Just admit to everyone that Steve co-created Spiderman and be done with it. Not that you "have always considered" Steve the co-creator. Seeing Stan spout the same thing over and over about how he created him because Stan had the idea was just total ARROGANCE! on Stan's part. Ditko is right...an idea means nothing until it has physical form. Physical form is the artwork. In the case of Spidey it is essentially the look of the character. I don't particularly agree with Ditko's Mr. A about everything being black and white...but he is right on the co-creation of Spidey. Also, Stan basically sends Ditko a letter for him to do with what he wants...It should have been in every newspaper that carried Spiderman in the comic section...THAT'S the way you do it Stan. It's one of the reasons I have no desire whatsoever in meeting the myth that is Stan Lee.

[palitoy]

When I grow up I want to be Jonathan Ross.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Having watched it, one thing still hasn't changed in my mind....Stan Lee is an ***. Just admit to everyone that Steve co-created Spiderman and be done with it. Not that you "have always considered" Steve the co-creator. Seeing Stan spout the same thing over and over about how he created him because Stan had the idea was just total ARROGANCE! on Stan's part. Ditko is right...an idea means nothing until it has physical form. Physical form is the artwork. In the case of Spidey it is essentially the look of the character. I don't particularly agree with Ditko's Mr. A about everything being black and white...but he is right on the co-creation of Spidey. Also, Stan basically sends Ditko a letter for him to do with what he wants...It should have been in every newspaper that carried Spiderman in the comic section...THAT'S the way you do it Stan. It's one of the reasons I have no desire whatsoever in meeting the myth that is Stan Lee.

I think Stan has made himself into the man Bob Kane so DESPERATELY wanted to be.


EDITED TO ADD:

Having watched the whole thing, I can see Stan's point. I don't agree with it, but I can see it. If Stan wrote the Amazing Fantasy #15 story full-script before handing it to Ditko, then, like any prose writer introducing an new character, he created Spider-Man. That is certainly a way to defend that viewpoint.

Comics being a visual medium, however, and I think any artist who visualizes the concept HAS to be acknowledged as co-creator. Had Stan drew a rough version of the Spidey costume for Ditko to refine, I could say he maybe doesn't deserve it. But clearly that wasn't the case. Add in the whole murky mess of Jack Kirby, and even Joe Simon (by proxy) being somehow involved, and Ditko will still emerge as the guy who came up with the design of Spider-Man, and that is what sells all the toys and clothes and etc you see everyday.

I'm sorry Ditko refused to be interviewed, but I'm glad for Ross' sake he got to meet him and befriend him. My only minor quibble is it should have been pointed out that Ralph Macchio worked with Ditko during a later return to Marvel. As filmed, it seemed Macchio was there in the Silver Age, despite his age. But that's minor. Other than that, it was great and very informative. Loved the music and editing as well.

Chris


Chris

[Iron Mego]

Just finished watching this, and enjoyed it for what it was. Didn't learn too much about Ditko that I didn't already have a vague idea about, but it was worth the hour spent watching it.