Pop focus: The (Dr.) Strange art of Steve Ditko
With a Dr. Strange movie on the horizon from Marvel, let's look back to the roots of the character, and spotlight the amazing, other worldly art of Steve Ditko, who co-created the character with Stan Lee.
Ditko is a master at using his character's hands as a mode of expression and storytelling. Doctor Strange, in particular, is fascinating to look at in this light, as he expressively conjures up magic.
Ditko's use of shapes and patterns to portray magical energies and other realms and cosmic beings is also highly unique and pioneering in the field of comics.
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Dr. Strange's astral travels.
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After Ditko left Marvel, the excellent Marie Severin had the unenviable task of following him up, doing her best to capture the trippy nature of the strip.
Marvel developed a strong college/hippie readership in the mid to late 1960s and Dr. Strange was obviously a favorite. Despite the appearance of his art, however, Ditko was decidedly not influenced by LSD or other drug use and was, in fact, very conservative devoting his later career to comics focused on the black/white, every many for himself philosophy of Ayn Rand.
The Severin image below made its way onto the cover of Pink Floyd's second LP, A Saucerful of Secrets.
Via a YouTube, a narrated Dr. Strange using images and text from the comic and music by Pink Floyd.
And finally, here's "In Search of Steve Ditko," an excellent documentary from BBC TV.
Ditko is a master at using his character's hands as a mode of expression and storytelling. Doctor Strange, in particular, is fascinating to look at in this light, as he expressively conjures up magic.
Ditko's use of shapes and patterns to portray magical energies and other realms and cosmic beings is also highly unique and pioneering in the field of comics.
Below: One of the few photos of the reclusive Ditko.
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| One of only a few pictures of Steve Ditko |
Dr. Strange's astral travels.
The distinctive window of Dr. Strange's Greenwich Village pad (above right and below) was inspired by a similar window in Will Eisner's "Spirit" strip (above left). The influence of Eisner's early work on the "Spirit" is evident on Ditko's line work and visual conception. The two images above are from this site. Notice the window design is also repeated on the cupboard in the picture below.
After Ditko left Marvel, the excellent Marie Severin had the unenviable task of following him up, doing her best to capture the trippy nature of the strip.
Marvel developed a strong college/hippie readership in the mid to late 1960s and Dr. Strange was obviously a favorite. Despite the appearance of his art, however, Ditko was decidedly not influenced by LSD or other drug use and was, in fact, very conservative devoting his later career to comics focused on the black/white, every many for himself philosophy of Ayn Rand.
The Severin image below made its way onto the cover of Pink Floyd's second LP, A Saucerful of Secrets.
Via a YouTube, a narrated Dr. Strange using images and text from the comic and music by Pink Floyd.
And finally, here's "In Search of Steve Ditko," an excellent documentary from BBC TV.
Pop culture roundup: Sherlock; Kareem; Dylan; Pono; Batman
NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has written a mystery novel featuring Sherlock Holmes' brother Mycroft.
Read an interview with Bob Dylan's English teacher.
Neil Young is hyping his high-resolution Pono music player as offering the best fidelity possible, but is "high-res" music just a bunch of b.s.?
Good to see others who are fans of Doug Moench's 1980s run on Batman. Frank Miller wrecked the character.
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar, a 19-time N.B.A. All-Star, began reading Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories more than 40 years ago, during his rookie season. “I was fascinated by Holmes’s ability to see clues where other people saw nothing,” he said in a statement released by his publisher.
“Mycroft Holmes” was written with the screenwriter and producer Anna Waterhouse.------
Read an interview with Bob Dylan's English teacher.
B.J. remembers one of the rare visits Bob made to Hibbing several years ago. “I remember distinctly. He told me, You’ve taught me everything I know.’ I dispute that. I’ve taught him half of what he knows.”-----
Neil Young is hyping his high-resolution Pono music player as offering the best fidelity possible, but is "high-res" music just a bunch of b.s.?
The CD-quality standard—which Young and HRA proponents say isn't sufficient—wasn't adopted randomly. It's not a number plucked out of thin air. It's based on sampling theory and the actual limits of human hearing. To the human ear, audio sampled above 44.1 kHz/16-bit is inaudibly different.-----
Good to see others who are fans of Doug Moench's 1980s run on Batman. Frank Miller wrecked the character.
First look at characters for new "Thunderbirds are Go!" animated series
I like the puppets more, but here's a look at the characters in "Thunderbirds are Go!" -- a new CGI-animated series based on Gerry Anderson's original "marionation" series of the 1960s.
The 26-episode show, Thunderbirds Are Go!, is due to air this spring using a blend of computer-generated animation technology and traditional live action models.
Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike provides the voice of Lady Penelope, driven around in a pink Rolls-Royce, number plate FAB1, by chauffeur Parker.
Fonejacker’s Kayvan Novak takes on Brains and Game of Thrones actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster voices John Tracy.
In a nod to the original 1960s series created by Gerry Anderson, who died in 2012, David Graham, the original voice of Parker, is reprising his role.
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Comics solicitations for March 2015: Avengers; Fantastic Four; Skull the Slayer; Star Wars; Frankenstein; Weirdworld; Conan; Dick Tracy; T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents; Modesty Blaise
Collected edition highlights for March. Click the links to order discounted items from Amazon;
Avengers: Ultron Unbound
Written by ROY THOMAS, DANN THOMAS & BOB HARRAS Penciled by DAVE ROSS, KRIS RENKEWITZ, VINCE RUSSELL, MANNY CLARK & MORE Cover by DAVE ROSS
Earth's Mightiest Heroes face Ultron, their deadliest foe, once again! More powerful than ever before, the mechanical menace has declared himself...the ultimate Ultron! And he's upgraded his elimination target from merely mankind -- to all life on Earth. But Ultron doesn't intend to inherit the world alone. Which of the West Coast Avengers women will he take as the basis for his metallic mate, known as War Toy? As the Whackos regroup after a blistering assault, Ultron finds that the path of true love doesn't run smooth -- even for ruthless robots. Brace yourself for a lovers' tiff for the ages! An, in a Vision adventure that proves that even an android can dream, discover which all-too-familiar foe can take control of the Vision, Jocasta and even Ultron! Collecting AVENGERS WEST COAST #89-91 and ANNUAL #8, and VISION (1994) #1-4. 224 PGS.
Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Volume 17
Written by ROY THOMAS & LEN WEIN with BILL MANTLO, MARV WOLFMAN, GERRY CONWAY, JIM SHOOTER & ARCHIE GOODWIN Penciled by GEORGE PEREZ with RON WILSON & SAL BUSCEMA Cover by JACK KIRBY
The Fantastic Four continue their explorations into the impossible -- when they confront none other than the Impossible Man! From a tale that rampages through the Marvel Bullpen and features the return of the Frightful Four, Impy will both torment and team up with our heroes in an attempt to make them a Fantastic Five! Then, Reed Richards is replaced by his evil Counter-Earth counterpart. It's a saga so epic in scope that it pulls in Thundra, Tigra, the Mad Thinker and Annihilus -- as Reed battles for his life in the heart of the Negative Zone! With little time to rest, our heroes must then battle through the Eliminator, Salem's Seven, Klaw and the Molecule Man in a series of struggles so shocking that they may tear apart the FF forever! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #176-191. 272 PGS.
Skull the Slayer
Written by MARV WOLFMAN, STEVE ENGLEHART & BILL MANTLO Penciled by STEVE GAN, SAL BUSCEMA & ERNIE CHAN Cover by GIL KANE
It's Lost meets The Land That Time Forgot when an airplane and all its passengers are transported to a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, primitives and aliens! But for one man, this journey into prehistory is a chance to seize his destiny -- and become the hero he always wanted to be! In our world, Vietnam veteran Jim Scully is a wanted man, accused of his own brother's murder. But in this wild new land, he becomes -- Skull the Slayer! With fellow passengers to protect, dinosaurs to hunt and alien mysteries to uncover, Skull finds himself on a voyage through the ages -- courtesy of the mysterious Time Tower! Prepare for an epic tale of life and death, culminating in a titanic team-up with the Fantastic Four's Thing and Mr. Fantastic! Collecting SKULL THE SLAYER #1-8 and MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #35-36. 192 PGS.
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
Written by ROY THOMAS Penciled by HOWARD CHAYKIN Cover by ADI GRANOV
The original comic adaptation of the greatest space-fantasy film of all is remastered for the modern age with all-new coloring by Chris Sotomayor! Weeks before George Lucas' first STAR WARS film hit theatres, Marvel gave fans their first look at Luke Skywalker, boldly asking: "Will he save the galaxy, or destroy it?" You may know the answer, but that doesn't spoil the fun of seeing STAR WARS: EPISODE IV -- A NEW HOPE like never before...including scenes that never made the silver screen! When Princess Leia is taken prisoner, Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 ride to the rescue and take on Darth Vader in his awesome Death Star. It's six against a galaxy -- one that's far, far away and a long time ago! May the Force be with you, in the mighty Marvel manner! Collecting STAR WARS (1977) #1-6. 128 PGS.
Weirdworld
Written by DOUG MOENCH Penciled by MIKE PLOOG, PAT BRODERICK & JOHN BUSCEMA Cover by DAVE COCKRUM
Welcome to Weirdworld, a land of legend and lore! Meet Tyndall, a lost elf on a dangerous quest -- to the heart of evil and beyond! One that will unite him with the beautiful Velanna, and forge an alliance for the ages. Together with grumpy dwarf Mud-Butt, these warriors of the shadow realm will brave the City of Seven Dark Delights, face the fallen god Darklens and meet the Dragonmaster of Klarn. But will they ever find their way home? From the mind of Doug Moench, and brought to life with incredible artwork by such talents as Mike Ploog and John Buscema, comes a far-out fantasy masterpiece in the mighty Marvel manner! Collecting material from MARVEL PREMIERE #38, MARVEL SUPER ACTION (1976) #1, MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #24-26, MARVEL SUPER SPECIAL #11-13, and EPIC ILLUSTRATED #9 and #11-13. 312 PGS.
Frankenstein: The Mad Science of Dick Briefer
Dick Briefer (W/A/Cover)
Frankenstein: The Mad Science of Dick Briefer reanimates a most unusual Frankenstein monster, one "who, like Ferdinand the Bull, would rather pluck flowers than pluck off people's heads." Briefer's Frankenstein mixes screwball comedy with canny observation of postwar America into a creation that would shock the original monster senseless! It's alive! Collects Frankenstein #1-#6
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 19
Roy Thomas (W), John Buscema (P), Ernie Chan (I), Tony DeZuniga (I), and Joe Jusko (Cover)
While Conan fights to survive in a hostile kingdom, far away a similar dire circumstance is faced by an adventurer whose fate will determine Conan's very existence. But this land is not of the Hyborian Age--it is 1920s Mexico, and the adventurer is writer Robert E. Howard! Collects stories from Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian #192-#201.
Complete Chester Gould's Dick Tracy Volume 18
Chester Gould (w & a & c)
The 1950s just about come to a close as Chester Gould introduces one character after another whose crimes start off as relatively petty but who end up trapped in larger and more deadly conspiracies. New characters include the gamecock queen Miss Egghead, Cuban secret serviceman Wunbrow, the tragic Headache, and bizarre Popsie and her mother. Throw in a wacko named Pantsy, a cross-country chase after a million dollars of hidden heist loot, Tracy left for dead on a deserted island, a couple more million in slot machine coins, and a throwback to the 1940s in the Mole-lookalike named Rhodent, and it's clear that Chester Gould is definitely not resting on his laurels. Includes all strips from December 15, 1957 through July 11, 1959. HC * B&W * $39.99 * 276 pages
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Classics Volume 5
Steve Skeates, Manny Stallman, Ralph Reese, Wally Wood, Gil Kane (w) * Wally Wood, Dan Adkins, Mike Sekowsky, Frank Giacoia, John Giunta, Joe Giella, Manny Stallman, Chic Stone, Steve Ditko, Ogden Whitney, George Tuska, Paul Reinman, Gil Kane (a) * Ryan Brown (c)
The original classic adventures of Dynamo, NoMan, Menthor, and more from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents issue #12-14 and Dynamo #4.
Modesty Blaise - The Killing Distance
(W) Peter O'Donnell (A/CA) Enric Badia Romero
The return of the "ass-kicking femme fatale," in three rare stories that are full of classic action and adventure and dripping with '60's chic. In the first story we see the return of fan-favourite character Guido "The Jinx" Biganzoli. The Killing Distance is pure Cold War thriller material, while the legendary Wu Smith appears in The Aristo. Collects three rare stories in one volume for the very first time: Guido the Jinx, The Killing Distance, and The Aristo.
Avengers: Ultron Unbound
Written by ROY THOMAS, DANN THOMAS & BOB HARRAS Penciled by DAVE ROSS, KRIS RENKEWITZ, VINCE RUSSELL, MANNY CLARK & MORE Cover by DAVE ROSS
Earth's Mightiest Heroes face Ultron, their deadliest foe, once again! More powerful than ever before, the mechanical menace has declared himself...the ultimate Ultron! And he's upgraded his elimination target from merely mankind -- to all life on Earth. But Ultron doesn't intend to inherit the world alone. Which of the West Coast Avengers women will he take as the basis for his metallic mate, known as War Toy? As the Whackos regroup after a blistering assault, Ultron finds that the path of true love doesn't run smooth -- even for ruthless robots. Brace yourself for a lovers' tiff for the ages! An, in a Vision adventure that proves that even an android can dream, discover which all-too-familiar foe can take control of the Vision, Jocasta and even Ultron! Collecting AVENGERS WEST COAST #89-91 and ANNUAL #8, and VISION (1994) #1-4. 224 PGS.
Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Volume 17
Written by ROY THOMAS & LEN WEIN with BILL MANTLO, MARV WOLFMAN, GERRY CONWAY, JIM SHOOTER & ARCHIE GOODWIN Penciled by GEORGE PEREZ with RON WILSON & SAL BUSCEMA Cover by JACK KIRBY
The Fantastic Four continue their explorations into the impossible -- when they confront none other than the Impossible Man! From a tale that rampages through the Marvel Bullpen and features the return of the Frightful Four, Impy will both torment and team up with our heroes in an attempt to make them a Fantastic Five! Then, Reed Richards is replaced by his evil Counter-Earth counterpart. It's a saga so epic in scope that it pulls in Thundra, Tigra, the Mad Thinker and Annihilus -- as Reed battles for his life in the heart of the Negative Zone! With little time to rest, our heroes must then battle through the Eliminator, Salem's Seven, Klaw and the Molecule Man in a series of struggles so shocking that they may tear apart the FF forever! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #176-191. 272 PGS.
Skull the Slayer
Written by MARV WOLFMAN, STEVE ENGLEHART & BILL MANTLO Penciled by STEVE GAN, SAL BUSCEMA & ERNIE CHAN Cover by GIL KANE
It's Lost meets The Land That Time Forgot when an airplane and all its passengers are transported to a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, primitives and aliens! But for one man, this journey into prehistory is a chance to seize his destiny -- and become the hero he always wanted to be! In our world, Vietnam veteran Jim Scully is a wanted man, accused of his own brother's murder. But in this wild new land, he becomes -- Skull the Slayer! With fellow passengers to protect, dinosaurs to hunt and alien mysteries to uncover, Skull finds himself on a voyage through the ages -- courtesy of the mysterious Time Tower! Prepare for an epic tale of life and death, culminating in a titanic team-up with the Fantastic Four's Thing and Mr. Fantastic! Collecting SKULL THE SLAYER #1-8 and MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #35-36. 192 PGS.
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
Written by ROY THOMAS Penciled by HOWARD CHAYKIN Cover by ADI GRANOV
The original comic adaptation of the greatest space-fantasy film of all is remastered for the modern age with all-new coloring by Chris Sotomayor! Weeks before George Lucas' first STAR WARS film hit theatres, Marvel gave fans their first look at Luke Skywalker, boldly asking: "Will he save the galaxy, or destroy it?" You may know the answer, but that doesn't spoil the fun of seeing STAR WARS: EPISODE IV -- A NEW HOPE like never before...including scenes that never made the silver screen! When Princess Leia is taken prisoner, Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 ride to the rescue and take on Darth Vader in his awesome Death Star. It's six against a galaxy -- one that's far, far away and a long time ago! May the Force be with you, in the mighty Marvel manner! Collecting STAR WARS (1977) #1-6. 128 PGS.
Weirdworld
Written by DOUG MOENCH Penciled by MIKE PLOOG, PAT BRODERICK & JOHN BUSCEMA Cover by DAVE COCKRUM
Welcome to Weirdworld, a land of legend and lore! Meet Tyndall, a lost elf on a dangerous quest -- to the heart of evil and beyond! One that will unite him with the beautiful Velanna, and forge an alliance for the ages. Together with grumpy dwarf Mud-Butt, these warriors of the shadow realm will brave the City of Seven Dark Delights, face the fallen god Darklens and meet the Dragonmaster of Klarn. But will they ever find their way home? From the mind of Doug Moench, and brought to life with incredible artwork by such talents as Mike Ploog and John Buscema, comes a far-out fantasy masterpiece in the mighty Marvel manner! Collecting material from MARVEL PREMIERE #38, MARVEL SUPER ACTION (1976) #1, MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #24-26, MARVEL SUPER SPECIAL #11-13, and EPIC ILLUSTRATED #9 and #11-13. 312 PGS.
Frankenstein: The Mad Science of Dick Briefer
Dick Briefer (W/A/Cover)
Frankenstein: The Mad Science of Dick Briefer reanimates a most unusual Frankenstein monster, one "who, like Ferdinand the Bull, would rather pluck flowers than pluck off people's heads." Briefer's Frankenstein mixes screwball comedy with canny observation of postwar America into a creation that would shock the original monster senseless! It's alive! Collects Frankenstein #1-#6
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 19
Roy Thomas (W), John Buscema (P), Ernie Chan (I), Tony DeZuniga (I), and Joe Jusko (Cover)
While Conan fights to survive in a hostile kingdom, far away a similar dire circumstance is faced by an adventurer whose fate will determine Conan's very existence. But this land is not of the Hyborian Age--it is 1920s Mexico, and the adventurer is writer Robert E. Howard! Collects stories from Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian #192-#201.
Complete Chester Gould's Dick Tracy Volume 18
Chester Gould (w & a & c)
The 1950s just about come to a close as Chester Gould introduces one character after another whose crimes start off as relatively petty but who end up trapped in larger and more deadly conspiracies. New characters include the gamecock queen Miss Egghead, Cuban secret serviceman Wunbrow, the tragic Headache, and bizarre Popsie and her mother. Throw in a wacko named Pantsy, a cross-country chase after a million dollars of hidden heist loot, Tracy left for dead on a deserted island, a couple more million in slot machine coins, and a throwback to the 1940s in the Mole-lookalike named Rhodent, and it's clear that Chester Gould is definitely not resting on his laurels. Includes all strips from December 15, 1957 through July 11, 1959. HC * B&W * $39.99 * 276 pages
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Classics Volume 5
Steve Skeates, Manny Stallman, Ralph Reese, Wally Wood, Gil Kane (w) * Wally Wood, Dan Adkins, Mike Sekowsky, Frank Giacoia, John Giunta, Joe Giella, Manny Stallman, Chic Stone, Steve Ditko, Ogden Whitney, George Tuska, Paul Reinman, Gil Kane (a) * Ryan Brown (c)
The original classic adventures of Dynamo, NoMan, Menthor, and more from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents issue #12-14 and Dynamo #4.
Modesty Blaise - The Killing Distance
(W) Peter O'Donnell (A/CA) Enric Badia Romero
The return of the "ass-kicking femme fatale," in three rare stories that are full of classic action and adventure and dripping with '60's chic. In the first story we see the return of fan-favourite character Guido "The Jinx" Biganzoli. The Killing Distance is pure Cold War thriller material, while the legendary Wu Smith appears in The Aristo. Collects three rare stories in one volume for the very first time: Guido the Jinx, The Killing Distance, and The Aristo.
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