Comicart Boston :: Beware the Creeper (Ditko, Peppe)

Beware The Creeper #5, page 15

Artists: Steve Ditko (Penciller) , Mike Peppe (Inker)

13 Comments - 391 Views - 10 Likes

Beware The Creeper #5, page 15 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Beware The Creeper #5, page 15
Artist:	Steve Ditko (Penciller)
Artist:	Mike Peppe (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	391
Likes on CAF:	10 11
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	13
Added to Site:	12/25/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Although this page is not exceptional by any means when viewed against the original art available generally, it may mark a watershed in terms of what is presently representative of the prices of original art in general and a personal watershed in terms of what is personally affordable in the future in particular. It is no secret that the stratospheric increase in prices of original comic art in recent years has been nothing short of amazing. By way of a rough comparison, this page cost approximately eighteen times more than what I would probably have paid for it about fifteen years ago (I have pages from this issue as well). To be sure, it is a very striking as well as significant page by the late Steve Ditko (focusing, as it does, on the internal psyche as well as angst of the primary hero who has hitherto been tormented by his arch-nemesis, Proteus (whose identity is revealed only (indirectly) at the end of this issue and expressly at the beginning of the next (and final) issue)), but it is not all Ditko (although the inks by Mike Peppe are, in my personal view, excellent). It is also not a Spider-Man or Doctor Strange piece. But then again, an extra zero has been added to prices of prime examples of these works in recent times. Many explanations have been proffered for the astonishing rise in prices of original comic art (including the rise in the market for collectibles generally, the amazing returns on cryptocurrencies, the rise in the amount of cash available, as well as the immense publicity generated by the various movies), but one thing is sure - for more modest collectors such as myself who began, an age ago, collecting without any expectation of any return but with a great passion for the hobby (which continues unabated), we must content ourselves (absent a "grail" piece (whatever that may mean to each person)) with what we have obtained during saner times. This particular piece may well mark the end of the collection of artwork of this vintage as well as quality by myself. Given the continued and difficult times generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, perhaps we should be simply be glad for continued good health and safety - which is what I wish for one and all.

Many thanks for all the very perceptive comments. I guess my focus on the affordability of original art overwhelmed - in the quantity of words used at least - the wonderful quality of this particular page from both its concept as well as the actual execution of the artwork itself. This is not only a creative page but a beautiful one as well. There are also reminsicences of Ditko Spider-Man as well - especially the composite facial images (most notably, of Proteus and the Creeper). If you will take a look at the other couple of pages I have posted from the same issue on CAF, you will also notice that same ASM fluidity as well as the inimitable way in which Ditko can depict his characters in (pun intended) fluid itself (especially his artwork from that landmark issue in ASM 33 comes readily to mind when we think of Ditko and his hero in the water). Then there is the surrealism in the final panel which one would associate with his art on Doctor Strange. Indeed, this is why I went out on a limb for this particular page. However, there are only so many financial "limbs" available. Well, c'est la vie.

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Joined:	April 2010
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

Posted on 12/25/2021

Such a playful layout and great acting. Love it!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/26/2021

Gwen? Norman Osborn? The Creeper was a great Ditko creation after Spider-man and this gives us a glimpse of that past.

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 12/26/2021

Firstly, you're selling the quality of this page short. I don't think I've ever seen such an innovative design on an eight panel page. Secondly, not only ar the inks excellent as you've noted, but they are absolutely beautiful and I dare say some of the best inks over Ditko ever done. They may be the most complimentary inks to Ditko's pencils I've ever seen. Peppe may be virtually unknown, but at least on this issue, he made Ditko look at least as good as anyone else ever did. Well done on picking this one up!

Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

Posted on 12/26/2021

this is a wonderfully imaginative and appealing page... bravo!

Mark Yanko
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 12/26/2021

I know what you mean, in all respects. And I feel and share the sense of sadness and pain that lies beneath the words. I, too, wonder if a pursuit that began as simply an exercise of love for what others have created has instead changed to something so mercenary that I can no longer participate in it to the joyous extent as before, except only vicariously. As to this page specifically, I think it's absolutely beautiful. and I hope you can be very, very happy with it. Peppe's inks are superb, and so is the whole concept of the layout and Ditko's rendering.

West Stephan
Member Since 2007

Posted on 12/26/2021

A very psychedelic panel layout! Love the partial Creeper image!

Comics Superworld
Member Since 2007

Posted on 12/26/2021

Don't sell this one short, it's a terrific page!

Ditko still had it during this era.

While true that the best art has become an investment vehicle for wealthy collectors, there are still terrific pieces that slip through the cracks,

Will K
Member Since 2006

Posted on 12/26/2021

Since Steve Ditko's death and being mainly a DC fan, I've tried to step up my game re: Ditko's art for DC Comics. I think his work at DC has a mature style. And the characters and stories reflect more of his ideas than at Marvel. To sum up, I think this is a very nice page !!

Ron S
Member Since 2007

Posted on 12/27/2021

That is a wonderfully classic Ditko page!!

Justin Topages
Member Since 2015

Posted on 12/28/2021

I love psychedelic and smooth lines, this is prime Ditko to me. Congrats!

Ron S
Member Since 2007

Posted on 2/4/2022

And, thanks for your write up. It's thought provoking and perhaps a bit sad. But, really well done.

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/4/2022

The layout is exceptional and the content, with its focus on identity via "the face of Proteus," the villain who could be anybody, represents one of the major themes of Ditko's work.

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

Posted on 2/28/2022

You can feel the Ditko energy emanating from the page design. People remember his early Marvel work best, but some of his most creative design work was done at DC.

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