Stephen Ditko, Co-Creator Of Spider-Man & Doctor Strange, Dies At 90

Police say Stephen Ditko, co-creator of Marvel Studio’s Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, was found dead on June 29 in his Manhattan apartment. He was 90-years-old.

Marvel President Dan Buckley released a statement saying the company is mourning the loss of the industry legend.

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“Steve transformed the industry and the Marvel Universe, and his legacy will never be forgotten,” Buckley said. “Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and fans during this sad time.”

Jim Lee, publisher of DC Entertainment, lauded Ditko’s work for not only Marvel but also DC.

Sad to hear of the passing of the legendary artist and creator Steve Ditko. Beloved for generations– his work was the Quirky to Kirby’s Majesty and helped provide the early visual vocabulary in counterpoint to Kirby’s power and influence. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/GvH8Mcrxg6

— Jim Lee (@JimLee) July 7, 2018

Of course, he is best known for co-creating Spider-Man but he also ushered in a slew of unique, very personal and eclectic characters for DC such as the Question, Blue Beetle, Hawk and Dove and more. I only met him once back in the hallways of Marvel when I worked there. 2/3

— Jim Lee (@JimLee) July 7, 2018

Polite and unassuming–he never sought attention or the limelight but in many ways represented the hidden hero he saw in all of us. #RIPsteveditko 3/3

— Jim Lee (@JimLee) July 7, 2018

Ditko and Lee created Spider-Man in 1961 after Lee was reportedly unsatisfied with Jack Kirby‘s idea of the human-spider hybrid superhero. Just two years later, Ditko created Doctor Strange. However, he ended up leaving Marvel to DC after a disagreement with Lee. He also had a hand in the creation of Doctor Octopus, Sandman, the Lizard and Green Goblin.

 

The industry giant was known as the “J.D. Salinger of comics.” He frequently denied requests for interviews and rarely spoke on record from the 1970s on.

“We didn’t approach him. He’s like J.D. Salinger. He is private and has intentionally stayed out of the spotlight like J.D. Salinger,” Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson told THR in 2016. “I hope he goes to see the movie, wherever he is, because I think we paid homage to his work.”