Cracked #221 [1986]

Most of the Ditko's contributions to the long-running humour title CRACKED in the mid-1980s were short untitled stories in the "Robot War" series, like this 1-page job from #221, written by Mort Todd. I'm not sure if "Robot War" was something that other artists did as well for the series or it was unique to Ditko. Anyone?

I've only read this one chapter, but it seems the feature is MAD's "Spy vs. Spy", only with robots. In this case, a large robot chases a smaller one, who has dropped a book on transforming, in the sense that those toys from the 1980s that just won't go away did. Seeing the book, the large robot knows to be suspicious of anything the other robot could be disguised as, and finding a gun acts accordingly. But wasn't quite suspicious enough.

Very cute gag, and Ditko's work sells it nicely. The artwork is on what I think is called duotone paper (of maybe craftint), a look seemingly favoured by CRACKED (especially their main artist John Severin), and Ditko works nicely with the tones, using them for some neat visuals with the sound effects and backgrounds.

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #4 [1986]

This issue Ditko is given The Fixer to draw for Marvel's character profile series. Like Arnim Zola, the Fixer had appeared in a then recent AVENGERS ANNUAL that Ditko had drawn, so he had that going for him. Not much to say about it otherwise, except boy, I wish I could draw feet like that.

Joe Rubinstein inks, as usual.

--Link-- Ditko Fever

If you've got some Ditko burning up your brain, head on over to Brian Franczak's website, Ditko Fever, for the cure. "The Illustrated Steve Ditko Compendium", it says, and so it is, with listings and usually the cover (and sometimes relevant interior image) of just about everything Ditko you can think of. An invaluable reference. And also the on-line home for info on the recently revived DITKOMANIA fanzine.

Mr. A. - The Shirt

This ad that appeared in DITKO PUBLIC SERVICE PACKAGE [1991], and I believe some issues of CBG around that time, always cracks me up.

Why? well take a closer look:

You know you're hardcore when your stance on compromise extends to fabric blends!

I'm kind of sorry now that I didn't order the t-shirt. Anyone get one? Or the sticker? Mort, are you out there? Any chance there's a case of shirts sitting somewhere? XL preferably, but hey, I need a good incentive to trim down, so L will do.

And I still hope we someday see that origin of Mr. A. (I think one of the few images from the series to make it out into the wild is the one linked to here).

Ditko on... Saying No

Marvel Triple Action #47 [1979]

MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #47 [1979] is kind of an oddity. It's his first original work published by Marvel since 1966. During this particular stint at the company, where Ditko drew Machine Man, Captain Universe, Micronauts and a bunch of single issue things, he also shows up drawing the cover for this reprint of a late-1960s Avengers comic, featuring several b-list Avengers going up against some c-list villains. Nothing too spectacular, but a nice piece.  Looking at the original cover looks like they decided to reverse the angle, have the heroes facing out rather than the villains, and make the Black Knight more prominent.

--Link-- Me on STRANGER

My initial overview and reaction to STRANGE AND STRANGER is available here.

Splash - I Opened the Door to Nowhere

Some great detail on the door frame and the webbing, and of course some of the biggest Ditko hands you'll ever see.

originally from Journey Into Mystery #61 [1960]