Steve Ditko, Co-Creator Of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange And More, Passes Away At 90
The writer/artist also enjoyed periods at Charlton and DC Comics.
Steve Ditko, the man who, along with Stan Lee, co-created Spider-Man, passed away last month at the age of 90. He was a creative juggernaut of the medium.
According to reports, the writer/artist was found in his New York apartment late last month and pronounced dead at the scene. The New York Police Department are yet to confirm a cause of death.
Though the creator of countless other superheroes, villains and supporting characters, Ditko is most famous for his design for Peter Parker's Spider-Man costume - including the suit's web-shooters - and for co-creating the likes of Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Lizard, Electro and Sandman during his run with Stan Lee. During this period, Ditko also played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, but it wasn't to last, with the creator having departed Marvel in the wake of a battle with Lee.
Among his most notable non-Marvel creations include The Question, who'd become the focus of an acclaimed comics series in the late eighties and inspire Rorschach in Alan Moore's Watchmen; Hawk and Dove, two paragons of war and peace who fought crime in the DC Universe; Creeper, and numerous others.
Ditko's importance, truly, cannot be overstated. He's had an immeasurable impact on the fields of comics, cinema and TV - an impact duly reflected in the sheer spectrum of tributes that have poured in overnight:
Scott Derrickson, who brought Ditko's work to the big-screen in Doctor Strange, also left his own tribute on Twitter. Edgar Wright and Guilmero del Toro - two filmmakers who've been involved in the world of comics at varying points in their respective careers - also posted overnight.
In a statement from Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley, the company said,
"Steve transformed the industry and the Marvel Universe, and his legacy will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and fans during this sad time."
Please feel free to leave your own tributes to Ditko in the comments below.