Rob,

After being pummeled by an east coast snowstorm yesterday it was nice
to check the mailbox (yes, the post office followed the golden rule
in my neck of the woods) and find the latest Ditkomania. The cover is
sensational and you have great artwork throughout, including the
illos accompanying my article. The back cover of Dr. Graves is
another favorite.

I've only read the first two reviews of the latest Ditko product,
which made some very good points. I will comment further as soon as I
finish the issue, but it looks like you've topped yourself again.

Nick C.

--- In ditkomania@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Imes" <robimes@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just an update for you on the status of the new issue of Ditkomania
> (#71).  The issue is all printed up, and I'm in the process of
> folding and stapling the pages.  I will be going to the post office
> Thursday afternoon to mail 'em out.  (I had intended to mail some
out
> Wednesday afternoon, but wasn't able to do so.)  I have around 70
> copies already sealed in envelopes, ready to mail.  Hopefully some
of
> you will be receiving the issue by Saturday, but it might end up
> arriving on Monday or Tuesday for others.
>
> I liked how this issue turned out.  My only regret is that Neil
> Vokes' cover photocopied grayer than I would have liked, for some
> reason.  But I do give the link to Neil's website in the issue, if
> readers want to get a better (and larger) view of his art.
>
> I had forgotten how much hard work it is to put these issues
> together.  Not so much prior to the issue being printed up
(although
> that takes some time and effort obviously), but the real work comes
> AFTER the sheets are printed up.  I spent most of today just
folding
> and stapling -- so much so that my hands are starting to ache.  (At
> least I didn't pull an all-niter this time, though, like I did last
> issue.)
>
> The practical side of me thinks that I must be a little bit nuts
for
> doing this zine.  But I know that there are great rewards for doing
> it each issue; the rewarding part of it all is being in contact
with
> all of you and sharing our love and enthusiasm for the work of
Steve
> Ditko.  That makes it all worthwhile.
>
> Some of the names on these envelopes are just names -- people who
> sent money for the issue (for which I'm grateful) but who didn't
have
> much to say so it's hard for me to have any memorable association
> with their name.  Other names on the envelopes are for those of you
> who have contributed to DM, or written posts or emails, and I have
an
> association with your name.  When I put those people's names on the
> envelope, I recall what they have said, and I wonder what they will
> think of the issue.  (And the nice part is that some of them WILL
> tell me what they thought.  In fact, there are a few that I can
count
> on to take the time to give me some feedback each time, and that
> makes me look forward to sending it to them.  Contemplating their
> response adds more fun to the boring process of writing names on
> stacks of manila envelopes, that's for sure.)  In the case of some
> names that I recognize and for which I have mental associations, I
> truly consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to send them
a
> copy!
>
> Anyway, just some thoughts I had while getting this issue ready to
> mail out tomorrow.  Now... back to folding paper...
>
> Rob
>

Rob,
I just received Ditkomania #71 in the mail.  I haven't read anything in
it yet, but the cover is AMAZING!  Can't wait for the workday to end,
so I can read the articles.
Doug Brown

Hi Bill,

I remember you telling me back in 1997, when I said that I was
thinking of starting to buy new comics again, that you had a rule
about buying new comics, which is to not buy more new ones until
you've got the previous new ones read first.  So, I think I'm putting
out these DMs too fast for them to get off your "to be read" stack.
(I have a big "to be read" stack myself!)

By the way, reading Harper Lee's book and writing her a fan letter is
a great goal!  I have enjoyed some of the short stories of her friend
Truman Capote, but have not read To Kill a Mockingbird myself.  I was
at Borders bookstore this afternoon and found myself looking at the
prose books more than the comics section of the bookstore.  I think
some comics fans can love comics so much that they may miss out on
other great books which aren't a comic and/or graphic novel.

Rob Imes



--- In ditkomania@yahoogroups.com, Ditkomania@... wrote:
>
> I assume that it was DM #71 that was in the envelope that arrived
from Rob
> Imes yesterday. I don't plan on opening it until/if I get around to
reading the
> two previous issues. First have to finish TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
(and send
> Harper Lee a fan letter before she passes), WORLD WAR Z and all my
current unread
> comics.
>     Bill
> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in
just 2 easy
> steps!
> (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219957551x1201325337/aol?
redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%
3D668072%26hmpgID
> %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)
>

I usually check Steve Bissette's blog a few times per week, and I notice he has
a new entry up about Ditko's dinosaurs.  You can read it at
http://srbissette.com/?p=3201

Sam Kujava, a regular reader of both Bissette's blog and Ditkomania, has already
left a comment there.

Rob Imes

I don't know if it could be considered "Most Important" or not, but one of my
favorite Ditko works are the two 1970s Killjoy stories.

However, here is one that might be considered "important" because of its subject
matter and how it is told: the Static story, "The Decision" which was the 4th
Static story (if memory serves).  In this story, Stac Rae is a hero even without
using his costume.  He goes out of his way to help a victim, but explains this
as being out of self-interest, that if he doesn't stand up to evil to help a
victim then he could be the next victim of that evil.  And the victim he helps,
at the end of the story, is not willing to let Stac fight his battles for him,
and shows up at the end to defend himself (although the battle is already over
when he arrives).  A very well-written tale in just ten pages (and of course
beautifully drawn).  This is my favorite Static story.

Rob Imes



>
>    As for The Most Important work of Ditko:
>    "The Avenging World", part 2. An excellent choice. Wish I'd thought
> of it.
>    This (and Neil Anderson's choice and mine at the end of the list
> following) brings the number of possibilities to eight:
>
>    "The Avenging World", part 2
>    "Destroyer of Heroes"
>     The Dr. Strange and Eternity serial
>    "Laszlo's Hammer"
>    The Master Planner trilogy
>    The Question (MYSTERIOUS SUSPENSE)
>    "The Safest Place in the World"
>    "Toyland"
>
>    Anything else?
> Robin

Hi everyone,

Batton Lash emailed me a photo of an attendee of Wondercon dressed as The
Creeper, which I have added to the Photos section in the folder marked
"Photographs."  (I cropped the photo a little from Batton's original to get just
the figure of the Creeper.)  The folder there can also be used for any other
Ditko-related photos you may wish to post.

Rob Imes

Good grief. That's an amazing costume! Spot on!

http://www.sfnovelists.com/2009/02/01/how-i-met-stan-lee-and-steve-ditko/

Wow, I was working the booth next door to Batton Lash (the Gumby comics booth)
and The Creeper somehow escaped me.

I did see several indirect Ditko characters though in the form of scores of
Rorschachs, and one puce Power Ranger, the sight of which will take me years to
get over.

That could be a great photo gallery feature for the DM hard copy: people in
Ditko character costumes (beyond the obvious Spider-Man and Dr. Strange).

best,

Michael

Speaking of Ditko costumes and the Bay area, there is a fabulous Dr. Strange
costume (best I've ever seen!) at Isotope, a great comic store (described by
owner James Sime as a "comic book lounge")on Fell Street (@ Gough). The outfit
was created by Isotope's Special Projects Director Kirsten Baldock and is right
on the money. There's also a very cool Lady Blackhawk uniform, courtesy of
Kristen, on display in the store. And James looks like a Ditko character in real
life, too!

GREAT idea posting a gallery of Ditko-inspired cosplay. There was a guy at San
Diego last year who had a sensational Electro costume- - complete with sparks
coming out of his fingertips! Lets keep our cameras ready and post them on this
forum.

BTW, great seeing you, Michael and enjoyed having you as a neighbor at Wonder
Con. I recommend Michael Aushenker as a convention booth neighbor to everyone!

Batton Lash


  Michael Aushenker wrote:
>
>
>
> That could be a great photo gallery feature for the DM hard copy: people in
Ditko character costumes (beyond the obvious Spider-Man and Dr. Strange).
>
>

I don't think I ever met Ken in person . . . he published some Wolff & Byrd
strips of mine back in 1991 in a nifty anthology called 'Frankie's Frightmares".
I haven't had any contact since, though. Why do you ask?  Are you friends with
Ken?


  jmain44@... wrote:
>
> Hey Batton Lash...are you friends with Ken Leach?
> Grim Jim

Thanks, Batton! Likewise....

Between you and Jackie, the Schulz Museum, and my pals over at Abismo/Nerve
Bomb, we had the best aisle on the block. Congrats to Wonder Con for their deft
booth arrangement of the 700s!

See you in San Diego,

Michael

--- In ditkomania@yahoogroups.com, "Batton Lash" <battonl@...> wrote:
>
> Speaking of Ditko costumes and the Bay area, there is a fabulous Dr. Strange
costume (best I've ever seen!) at Isotope, a great comic store (described by
owner James Sime as a "comic book lounge")on Fell Street (@ Gough). The outfit
was created by Isotope's Special Projects Director Kirsten Baldock and is right
on the money. There's also a very cool Lady Blackhawk uniform, courtesy of
Kristen, on display in the store. And James looks like a Ditko character in real
life, too!
>
> GREAT idea posting a gallery of Ditko-inspired cosplay. There was a guy at San
Diego last year who had a sensational Electro costume- - complete with sparks
coming out of his fingertips! Lets keep our cameras ready and post them on this
forum.
>
> BTW, great seeing you, Michael and enjoyed having you as a neighbor at Wonder
Con. I recommend Michael Aushenker as a convention booth neighbor to everyone!
>
> Batton Lash
>
>
>  Michael Aushenker wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > That could be a great photo gallery feature for the DM hard copy: people in
Ditko character costumes (beyond the obvious Spider-Man and Dr. Strange).
> >
> >
>

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
ditkomania group:

Which one of Ditko's newest characters do you most want to see again in future
Ditko comics?  (pick one)

   o The Cape
   o The Fist
   o Force & Violence
   o General Destruction
   o The Grey Negotiator
   o The Ha! Ha! Ha! Bandit
   o The Hero
   o The Outline
   o The Villain
   o None of the above


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ditkomania/surveys?id=2835217

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Steve Ditko, Mocker, Static, 2 graphic novels + extras
Item Id: 320349115119
Starting price: $22.50
End time: Mar-18-09
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320349115119

The extras?  The two color comics where these two characters first appeared.

Thanks,
Rodney Schroeter

Robin,

you forgot my vote for the first Mr. A story.

BTW, another excellent issue of the Comics. Of particular interest to this list
is the discussion of The identity of the man behind the Green Goblin's mask.

I've also discovered that Jim Hanley's Universe in NY is selling Ditko's latest
work, exclusively, it appears.

Nick C.


--- In ditkomania@yahoogroups.com, Robin & Brigit Snyder <RobinBrigit@...>
wrote:
>
> Another excellent selection, Rob,
>
> So now the list numbers nine:
>
> The Avenging World
> The Avenging World, part 2
> "Destroyer of Heroes"
> The Dr. Strange and Eternity serial
> "Laszlo's Hammer"
> The Master Planner trilogy
> The Question (MYSTERIOUS SUSPENSE)
> "The Safest Place in the World"
> "Toyland"
>
> Any others?
> Robin
>
> On Feb 25, 2009, at 8:48 PM, Rob Imes wrote:
>
> > >
> > > I would also have to list Part II of Avenging World.
> >
> > Since my first exposure to The Avenging World was as a single work,
> > in The Ditko Collection Volume 2 (and later when I got the 1973 one-
> > shot Avenging World comic), I don't think of it as being two
> > different works of varying quality, but as one cohesive work of the
> > same high quality throughout. (I mention this because later I
> > learned that Part One was done a few years before Part Two, and some
> > critics have stated a preference for the former instead of the
> > latter.)
> >
> > In Ditkomania #33 (Oct. 1992), back when I was 21 years old, I
> > wrote: "'Killjoy' is one of the most perfect superhero strips ever
> > done. And 'The Avenging World' is one of the most brilliant comics
> > ever." I'm now 38 years old, and I still stand by those statements.
> > Even if Avenging World hadn't been so wonderfully done, it's still a
> > remarkable book because it is an innovative use of the comic book
> > medium, as a vehicle for one's personal philosophy presented in a
> > series of symbolic images and scenarios. And when I first read it,
> > as a teenager, I was impressed by the largest word balloon I had ever
> > seen in a comic book!
> >
> > The Avenging World (1973 one-shot) is the one Ditko comic that I
> > unreservedly would recommend to anyone, whether they are a comics
> > reader or (more especially) if they are not.
> >
> > Rob Imes
> >
> >
> >
>