Artwork Details
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DescriptionWhen I purchased this piece many years ago, it was such a financial strain. Little did I know that it would be impossible for me to purchase this artwork today. Original art prices in general and the prices of Ditko ASM artwork in particular have literally gone through the stratosphere.This particular page is from ASM #30. It was, by all accounts, a relatively pedestrian issue – we were just treated to a spectacular slugfest between Spidey and the Scorpion in the previous issue. This issue, on the other hand, related to a villain who possessed no super powers; he was, literally, a cat burglar (hence the title of this issue, “The Claws of the Cat!”). However, this was – in a sense – the quintessential Ditko villain inasmuch as he was an everyman, anonymous in the eyes of the world (indeed, we never learn his actual name). This particular issue also served, in its sub-plot, as the staging point for the next three issues; here, we meet the Master Planner’s henchmen in the lead up to Spidey’s frantic search for the serum that would be stolen by these men in order to cure his Aunt May who had been infected by Peter Parker’s radioactive blood which he had given to her during a transfusion. Indeed, the Master Planner is later revealed to be none other than Doctor Octopus and who can forget that magnificent Ditko sequence in ASM #33 as Spidey lifts the machinery he is trapped under in a manner that is simultaneously magnificent and heroic. Peter is also assisted by Dr Curtis Connors (AKA the Lizard) who assists in curing Aunt May and who appears, transformed, as Spidey’s nemesis in ASM #44 and #45 (having first appeared in ASM #6). But I digress. Coming to this page itself, it is perhaps one of the best pages – if not the best page – in this particular issue. The top panel alone is, as they say, worth the price of admission – drawn in an inimitable Ditko style (as, indeed, are all the other panels). Perhaps more than any other artist (dare I say even John Romita Sr and Todd McFarlane), Steve Ditko was, in my view, born to draw Spider-Man. His brilliance can be seen on this page – the fluent lines and inks are simply superb. It is such a shame that he left after only 38 issues. However, instead of lamenting that fact, we should celebrate what he did give us in his run on this famous title and celebrate his life even as he would have equally shunned the publicity had he been alive today. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Dino Mauricio 
Member Since 2009
Posted on 10/8/2021
Fantastic early ASM page from Ditko's historic run, top panel is stunning!
Abraham Martinez
Member Since 2014
Posted on 10/8/2021
What a great page and that top panel is amazing!!!!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
Posted on 10/8/2021
Great page and great write up! Thanks for sharing!!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
Posted on 10/8/2021
Nils E wrote:
No one does the tingle like Ditko!
Sounds naughty for some reason. Ha ha
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/8/2021
Ditko gave Spidey such acrobatic moves with a strength and grace that would attack the environment like modern day parkour. To combat this, the Everyman villain needed... Pouches!
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
Posted on 10/8/2021
Incredible page! As a very young collector this was one of the first early Spidey issues I acquired--I was given it as a birthday present, I think when I turned 12; so I've always had a soft spot for it. And while it doesn't feature a classic villain, I always felt like Ditko's art is particularly strong in this issue--as your page proves! Every panel is a gem.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/9/2021
Jeremy Radisich wrote:
Incredible page! As a very young collector this was one of the first early Spidey issues I acquired--I was given it as a birthday present, I think when I turned 12; so I've always had a soft spot for it. And while it doesn't feature a classic villain, I always felt like Ditko's art is particularly strong in this issue--as your page proves! Every panel is a gem.
Dear Jeremy, actually ASM 30 was the very first ASM book I read, so this piece has even greater significance for me. I did then purchase ASM 28 and ASM 29 soon after (which had much better covers!). But all this is another story for another time. Many thanks for your kind comments.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
Posted on 10/8/2021
Really, this is a magnificent quality page. I'm so glad you had the foresight to understand at the time you made the purchase that regardless of how tough it was to pull off financially, it HAD TO be done then, else you may never again have gotten the opportunity! Brilliant work by Ditko. Not only did he he draw the book for slightly more than 3 years, but he inked it all as well. Taking that into account, his 38 issue run is actually incredibly long!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/9/2021
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Really, this is a magnificent quality page. I'm so glad you had the foresight to understand at the time you made the purchase that regardless of how tough it was to pull off financially, it HAD TO be done then, else you may never again have gotten the opportunity! Brilliant work by Ditko. Not only did he he draw the book for slightly more than 3 years, but he inked it all as well. Taking that into account, his 38 issue run is actually incredibly long!
Many thanks, Rubén. As mentioned, I would certainly not have been able to afford it today and in any event, there is a point at which there must be a rule of reason lest one goes overboard. There are many other more useful and even worthy purposes for funds to be channelled to. Do take care.
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
Posted on 10/9/2021
Amazing Spider-Man page! As Ruben mentioned you had you now or never moment and chose bravely and wisely. I am firmly in the never category now when it comes to a Ditko ASM page as I was too late understanding how important and great this "kid's stuff" actually can be. Now that I get it, I am quite content being able to enjoy the art work in the galleries of friends and fellow collectors. Thank you for sharing the art with us.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/9/2021
Jeff Singh wrote:
Amazing Spider-Man page! As Ruben mentioned you had you now or never moment and chose bravely and wisely. I am firmly in the never category now when it comes to a Ditko ASM page as I was too late understanding how important and great this "kid's stuff" actually can be. Now that I get it, I am quite content being able to enjoy the art work in the galleries of friends and fellow collectors. Thank you for sharing the art with us.
Dear Jeff, it is undoubtedly the case that you are one of the foremost leaders in our hobby and a really nice person as well. There are so many pieces in your collection that I aspire to but will be unable to obtain. So thank you so much for your kind and generous comments.
Paul Roach
Member Since 2014
Posted on 10/9/2021
Gorgeous page! The villain may not be an A-lister, as you note, but the action is just superb! There is so much action here. The depth of the third panel is also delightful. Great page!
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
Posted on 10/9/2021
Getting a Ditko Spider-Man is a tough get, but pages like this with action and fighting is rare as hen's teeth! I wish I had the foresight to buy Ditko when they were in that $1000-10,000 range!
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
Posted on 10/9/2021
So out of this world... Only Ditko could render with such accuracy the incredibly-fast reflexes of Spider-Man and his impossible leap and bound figure as he dodges the bullet... Ultra-classic, of course!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 10/9/2021
Great page - the top panel is a killer for sure - congrats!
Ted Latner
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/9/2021
Wow -- thanks for posting this amazing page! I'm still kicking myself for never buying a Ditko Spidey page when it was still possible (and thankful I did get a Dr. Strange page in time).
Mark Clegg
Member Since 2004
Posted on 10/10/2021
Incredible eye-flow through out the page, each panel graphically leading to the next with a smooth and thus energetic motion.
Ron S
Member Since 2007
Posted on 10/12/2021
Great page and a perfect addition to one of my favorite galleries on CAF!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2021
Ron S wrote:
Great page and a perfect addition to one of my favorite galleries on CAF!
These are very kind and generous words, especially from someone with a much more incredible CAF gallery.
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/14/2021
What a lovely Ditko action page. Really great!!!! Congrats!!!! 8 )
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2021
J L wrote:
What a lovely Ditko action page. Really great!!!! Congrats!!!! 8 )
Dear Joe, thanks so very much. I trust that you are keeping well. Your collection is, of course, one of the very best!
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 4/15/2023
Pure Ditko magnificence! Congrats CAB...You are my hero!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/15/2023
CJ Design wrote:
Pure Ditko magnificence! Congrats CAB...You are my hero!
Many thanks, Christopher, for your very kind words! In many ways, you are my hero as well! Take care, my friend.
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