Ditko Comics

WHA..!?, new edition of classic 1970s comic now available

Ditko news and reviews bi-monthly

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Unpublished c1981 Hulk/Torch story coming soon

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

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April 25, 2011

Unusual Tales - Inside The Crystal Globe

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Inside The Crystal Globe" is a 4-page story first published in Charlton's TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER #11 [1959]. This is one of a handful of stories and covers from the era that are signed "J. Kodti" (or sometimes "Kotdi"). Not sure why the pen-name was used, but there is a slightly different look to the inking on this story compared to most Ditko work of the era. A little sharper, less variation in line weight. Anyway, not too much of a story, as the Traveler mentions in his introduction it's one of the rare times he chooses to intervene rather than just narrate. The most interesting bit of art is the ghostly image of the Traveler in the crystal ball on the first page, that's really effective.

But before the story, some links:

Complete MISSING MAN book available

New issue out soon

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Two big DC collections scheduled for 2011

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

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April 23, 2011

Unusual Tales - The Most Terrible Fate

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"The Most Terrible Fate" is a 5-page story first published in Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #7 [1958]. In a post-nuclear war world of a thousand years in the future, a young man finds out that his parents have been keeping a terrible secret from him. Kind of an over-wrought story with a twist you'll probably see coming, but the art is nice. Note especially the good panel progression across the top of the last page, ending with a classic Ditko extreme close-up of the eye.

But before the story, some links:

Get the massive AVENGING WORLD collection, 240 pages of comics and essays, now

New issue out soon

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Doctor Strange softcover MARVEL MASTERWORKS volume now available

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

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April 20, 2011

Unusual Tales - The Thing From Below

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"The Thing From Below" is a 5-page story first published in Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #5 [1957]. An excellent monster story about a professor who goes around the oceans using an ancient formula that he believes is bait for a sea monster. Apparently he didn't think too far ahead, as the emergence of an actual sea monster scares him spitless, leading to a very 1950s ending. Some great work by Ditko, especially on that first page.

Though there's probably no way to verify it one way or another at this date, I wonder if the gorgeous cover to UNUSUAL TALES #6 [1957], a few months prior to this issue, goes with this story. It certainly does fit, though the monster design is different, and there are more men on the boat, and they look more like recreational fishermen than researchers.

But before the story, some links:

Classic MR. A comic reprint available now

Chock full of fan art, article and Ditko rarities

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

1980s Deluxe THUNDER AGENTS reprint coming soon

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

As this story appears in the Snyder/Ditko KONGA #25 [2018], I'm only including the first page below.

Unusual Tales - All Those Eyes

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"All Those Eyes" is a 5-page story first published in Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #6 [1957]. It's a brief humourous story about a master of disguise who works as a spy, and what leads to his downfall. Not a great story, but those familiar with Ditko's later work will see some visual themes that resonate, especially on the second page.

But before the story, some links:

DITKO PACKAGE featuring Shag still available

Subscribe and get back issues now

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Unpublished Hulk/Torch story from 1981 coming soon

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

April 19, 2011

Unusual Tales - When Old Doc Died

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"When Old Doc Died" is a 5-page story first published in Charlton's TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER #6 [1957]. Another favourite, this is pretty much the dictionary definition of what would now be called a "Twilight Zone story", but two years before the TV show even began. Very tight and compact story about a small-town Vermont doctor and his near-death experience, Ditko does a great job with it, especially the subtle changes in line weight for the different settings, and some especially good shots of ~~Rod Serling~~ the Traveler. Looks like there were a few lettering changes made prior to publication, I suspect to edit out the name of Doc's second destination. I'm kind of surprised that they even got away with the explicit mention of the Devil in those early Code days.

This story appears in the Snyder/Ditko publication TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER #16 [2015], so I'm only showing the first page below.

But before the story, some links:

Full length STATIC and MOCKER graphic novels still available

Articles on all facets of Ditko's career

Complete CREEPER hardcover now available

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April 18, 2011

Unusual Tales - Manana

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Manana" is a 2-page story first published in Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #9 [1958]. Just a quick little morality play more than a story, but very enjoyably brought to life by Ditko, it's always been among my favourite of his 1950s stories.

But before the story, some links:

ACT 8 coming soon

#84 coming even sooner

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Reprint of SHADE, STALKER and other DC rarities coming not quite as soon

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

As this story appears in the Snyder/Ditko KONGA #25 [2018], I'm only including the first page below.

April 17, 2011

Unusual Tales - The Man Who Stepped Out Of A Cloud

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Labels: Unusual Tales

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"The Man Who Stepped Out Of A Cloud" is a 5-page story from Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #5 [1957]. A gorgeous looking story, really showing off some of the best aspects of early Ditko, from the use of shadows to the expressive faces to the weird alien designs, and some really good Ditko hands and ties. The story itself, well, has kind of a creepy subtext read in modern times, which probably wasn't intended and wouldn't have been seen fifty years ago, but is pretty decent.

But before the story, some links:

ACT 7, the twelfth of Ditko's current series, now available

New issue immenent, subscribe today