Spider-Man was the second comic book super hero that I liked as a kid, after Superman. My first Spider-Man comic had a cover by John Romita and interior art by Ross Andru.
I later got a copy of The Origins of Marvel Comics, and that’s where I first saw Amazing Fantasy #15, the debut of Spider-Man, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
It was a different look from what I was used to seeing, to be honest.
When I was 11, my parents bought me a set of paperback books that reprinted the early days of Marvel Comics, with the first 6 issues of Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk, and the first 12 issues of The Amazing Spider-Man.
And that’s when I really fell in love with Ditko’s work.
I think he’s why Doctor Octopus is my favorite Spider-Man villain.
Ditko also created other favorites of mine, including Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle and Doctor Strange.
The one character that I had no idea that he had a hand in creating?
Squirrel Girl!
All I really knew about the man was that he was a recluse, often compared to J.D. Salinger.
Coincidentally, The Catcher in the Rye is my favorite book that I read in high school.
Today news came out that Ditko had died late last month.
This loss hurts a lot because of his contributions to comics and to my personal development in my tastes in comic book fandom.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Ditko. Thank you for all you did.