Just after New Year’s I decided I would write a letter to legendary artist and Spider-Man Co-creator, Steve Ditko. I wrote out the letter in February and mailed it out and today I received a reply. My Original Letter was:
Dear Steve Ditko,
How are you? I am writing you today because recently I had my first book published, which was a type of autobiography on what comic books brought to my life. As a comic book reader for many years, Spider-Man has held a special place in my heart and I remember seeing my first Spider-Man book, which was a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #13, the first appearance of Mysterio. It belonged to my grandfather, the man who introduced me to comic books and I remember looking at the cover and being a bit scared but curious about the villain, Mysterio on the front cover. He opened the book up and read the wrinkled and torn pages of the book the best he could. Age and poor storage had really damaged the book over the years. I remember being just taken in by your artwork that really set the tone for who would become my favorite Spider-Man villain. The way you illustrated Mysterio’s smoke and illusions was something else and I remember my grandfather explaining how Mysterio was this special effects guy like the people who made Star Wars and that’s why he looked the way he did and how his powers work. My question is, what went into the creation of Mysterio’s iconic look? From the “fishbowl” to those creepy eyes on his collar? Was the House of Wax any influence on the design and how did you work his smoke screens in so seamlessly with his appearance?
I wish I still had the torn issue of Amazing Spider-Man #13 still with me but it was lost many years ago and has never been seen again. I hope to one day own a great copy of the issue as it marked an important time in my life between myself and my grandfather. Thank you for your time and best wishes to you.
Sincerly,
Ryan Read
Steve Ditko replied:
Dear Ryan,
Congratulations on having your first book published. It’s not an easy thing to do. Mysterio was certainly an off-beat comic book villain, but he worked in that particular fiction/fantasy story world, Spider-Man. The universe is continually changing and so is everyone’s life, ect. One has to adapt. We all have to work, set in the time, age we are in. There are no guarantees, but it’s always proven that one can succeed if one has the right idea for the time. Today’s reprints about everything done before make it appear nothing done is actually lost.
But one can’t be aware of everything or needs to be. One has to start from where one is, and try to take advantage of what one can.
Regards,
Steve Ditko
I have to admit receiving this letter today really turn my entire day around. I woke up on both a literal and metaphorical “rainy day.” Steve’s words were very inspiring about no matter how life is, we can always take what is best from it and work it to our advantage and make it great, especially in writing. Thank you so much, Steve Ditko you are truly one of the greats.
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He wrote the wrong year.
Did Ditko write the wrong year 2014 or was this from last year?
And has the ability to turn a rainy day into a bright day of inspiration. True story as I said above.
Steve Ditko: Spider sage
He became my favorite Spider-Man villain. I have tried getting all major Mysterio stories since and animated episodes. I have also written 4 fan fiction and my own Mysterio story if it ever gets published.
My first issue of Spider-Man was also the Mysterio issue, a reprint over in an issue of Astonishing back in 2006, found in a charity shop of all places.
Yeah, the letter is already getting framed. Its almost unreal but there it is.
Man! that’s unreal. A letter from Steve Ditko would almost certainly make my day too. 🙂
Thanks guys. I think I need to do the Ditko News sound byte for George this month.
DITKO NEWS!!!!
Congrats for getting a response from the elusive Steve Ditko, Ryan. And for getting your autobiography published! That in itself is a worthy accomplishment you should be very proud of. 🙂
No snarky comment from me – that is awesome.
Thanks. I was so surprised to get a response so soon. Usually the average wait is 3+ months. I know grandpa is smiling some where.
That’s really cool! Congrats on getting the letter!
Thanks everyone, it really turned my day around. I mean it was literally and figuratively a rainy day and after this letter came and I read it. The sun came out of the clouds and it went from 40 degrees to 68. Really turned the day from awful to wonderful.
That’s terrific! Not a bad trade for that copy of ASM #13. I’m sure your grandfather would love it as much as you do.
Huge thumbs up to Steve for still taking time out to respond to the fans!
His handwriting is just as quirky as his artwork. How neat.
Anyways, congrats on that!