Marvel’s Spider-Man and Doctor Strange co-creator Steve Ditko dies at age 90
Unlike his former partner Stan Lee, Ditko shunned the limelight but was still worshipped by hard core comic fans
Steve Ditko, the Marvel Comics artist who gave the world the woven webs and soaring red-and-blue shape of Spider-Man and the otherworldly shimmer of Doctor Strange, has died, authorities said Friday. He was 90.
Ditko was found on June 29 in his Manhattan flat and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Ditko, along with writer Stan Lee, introduced the world to Peter Parker and his alter-ego Spider-Man in 1962 in an issue of Amazing Fantasy. A year later, Ditko introduced the world to surgeon-turned-metaphysical superhero Doctor Strange.
Spider-Man would go on to become arguably the most indispensable and recognisable character in the Marvel universe, and Doctor Strange a member of its permanent pantheon. The adventures of both have been turned into blockbuster films, and both had essential roles in the recent Avengers: Infinity War.
“Today, the Marvel family mourns the loss of Steve Ditko,” said Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Entertainment. “Steve transformed the industry and the Marvel Universe, and his legacy will never be forgotten.”
