Amazing Spider-Man #10, page 11 (Steve Ditko)
Artist: Steve Ditko (All)
73 Comments - 954 Views - 36 Likes
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DescriptionA little Christmas Eve reminiscence and sharing from the archives.Even decades ago, a Ditko ASM page was almost unattainable. Yes, prices were saner but, as they say, everything is relative. One mustn’t forget that incomes were much lower as well. But the phrase “almost unattainable” is key – with an understanding seller, a reasonable time payment schedule, and a dogged desire to obtain the page concerned, it was still doable. This page is a vivid example as I look through my collection. The entire process of acquisition was, to say the least, painful (as all Ditko ASM pages are to obtain and as I have also mentioned in relation to my other Ditko ASM example). However, this page had a lot going for it and it was well worth the financial pain and strain at that time. And as I reflect, it was an excellent decision – as they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty vision. Had I not made it, I would have been in the same position as mostly everyone else (except the well-heeled) now. Turning to the page itself, it only has a B-grade villain, the Ox (and just only one of the group of Enforcers at that), but the inventiveness of Spidey in ridding himself of the Ox and the brilliant depiction (that Ditko was famous for but never did enough of, in my view) of Spidey in the dark and navigating his way through his famous Spider Sense are already worth, as they say, the price of admission. Added to that is more than just a bonus – the remaining panels depict, in such a succinct manner, the life of Peter Parker himself: his unequal relationship with the irascible J Jonah Jameson (with a little red herring planted in relation to the actual identity of the Big Man (who, ironically, turned out to be the ostensibly meek and mild-mannered Frederick Foswell)) as well as his never-ending romantic strife in that fatally doomed relationship with Betty Brant (which ended in their break-up in ASM #30) – such were the trials and personal travails that Stan Lee so characteristically introduced for his all-too-human superheroes (please pardon the oxymoron). I also wanted a page with that “slimmer” version of Spider-Man that Ditko began the series with. And it has an especially nice panel of Peter in partial costume as well. My only regret and apology is that this scan is a rather poor one borrowed from Heritage at a time when the entire book was auctioned off for a price that was astonishingly low by today’s standards. The book was of course broken up and this particular page ended up in my collection. A final footnote: if one looks at the Heritage scans today, it also says a lot about how far the world has changed as is exemplified, in small part, by the brilliant scans that now adorn the Heritage website. Social/Sharing |
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Comicart Boston 
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Shelton Bryant wrote:
Powerful Pop Cultural Classic!!
Many thanks, Shelton! Stan himself would have been proud of that double alliteration!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Action and soap opera in the Marvel manner that spoke to the ever changing times of Super-Heroes, now with their own personal traumas! I'd imagine the quest to get a page is as nerve racking an experience as Peter Parker's life.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Marcus Wai wrote:
Action and soap opera in the Marvel manner that spoke to the ever changing times of Super-Heroes, now with their own personal traumas! I'd imagine the quest to get a page is as nerve racking an experience as Peter Parker's life.
Many thanks, Marcus! Perhaps not quite as traumatic as Peter's own life but, yes, it had its fair share of trauma!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
A spectacular page from the most classic era of the character! It brings me some level of joy to think that what you paid for the page back when you acquired it, would today only buy you the 2nd panel, which is astonishingly beautiful!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
A spectacular page from the most classic era of the character! It brings me some level of joy to think that what you paid for the page back when you acquired it, would today only buy you the 2nd panel, which is astonishingly beautiful!
Many thanks, Rubén! I don't think that I could even buy the second panel today as it would be much more expensive relative to the rest of that page! I should add that even though it wasn't a battle page as such, it had all the human drama that made the series stand out and which I attempt to capture in my write-up.
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Ditko ASM is the Mount Everest of OA collecting. You made it there and returned victorious . Huge congrats , must be a good feeling ! Great page, agreed on the Spidey in the dark effect ..so "contemporary"
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Carlo M wrote:
Ditko ASM is the Mount Everest of OA collecting. You made it there and returned victorious . Huge congrats , must be a good feeling ! Great page, agreed on the Spidey in the dark effect ..so "contemporary"
Many thanks, Carlo! That's a very nice way of putting it. Thank you very much for your kind words.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Mark Levy wrote:
Every panel screams Ditko - congrats!
Many thanks, Mark! You are absolutely spot on - this is classic Ditko ASM!
Justin Karlson
Member Since 2007
2 - Posted on 12/24/2023
A masterpiece! I love the panel of a distraught Betty hanging up the phone. What a storyteller Ditko was!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Justin Karlson wrote:
A masterpiece! I love the panel of a distraught Betty hanging up the phone. What a storyteller Ditko was!
Many thanks, Justin! In my personal view at least, what you observed makes this page as good as any battle page (if not better). OT, but many congratulations on a wonderful collection.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Wow man!!! What else can be said? That second panel grabs my heart!!!! Just a piece of history from Marvel's flagship!!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Toni S wrote:
Wow man!!! What else can be said? That second panel grabs my heart!!!! Just a piece of history from Marvel's flagship!!!
Many thanks as always, Toni! Yes, that second panel is so ... well ... amazing!
Mark Howland
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Although the world has changed, the artistic brilliance of Steve Ditko has not. As you say, not only do we get that glorious panel two, but we also get Ditko's characters and rooms half-shaded in bands of window shades. Beautiful, beautiful page! Many years ago I was offered a character page from this issue, but I turned it down because the price was insane: 6K. Again as you say, hindsight.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Mark Howland wrote:
Although the world has changed, the artistic brilliance of Steve Ditko has not. As you say, not only do we get that glorious panel two, but we also get Ditko's characters and rooms half-shaded in bands of window shades. Beautiful, beautiful page! Many years ago I was offered a character page from this issue, but I turned it down because the price was insane: 6K. Again as you say, hindsight.
Many thanks, Mark! Excellent point about Ditko's skill to create the precise atmosphere. And as for the price point then, it might have as well have been 60K for virtually all of us. As I mentioned, the effort to obtain this page required a Herculean effort.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Foggy Bottom wrote:
Baller.
Many thanks for a characteristic - yet almost invariably accurate - comment!
Vik V
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Rare and beautiful piece of comic art. Congrats and thanks for sharing
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Vik V wrote:
Rare and beautiful piece of comic art. Congrats and thanks for sharing
Many thanks, Vik! Yes, with only 38 issues and 2 Annuals and the fact that not all his ASM artwork is available, it was really tough to obtain a Ditko ASM page. OT, but many congrats on your collection (especially the splendid covers).
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Spidey 10 was the earliest issue I was ever able to attain as a young collector. That issue remains high on my nostalgia list. just a beautiful page. Especially love the 2nd panel! Wowzers!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:
Spidey 10 was the earliest issue I was ever able to attain as a young collector. That issue remains high on my nostalgia list. just a beautiful page. Especially love the 2nd panel! Wowzers!!
Many thanks, Duke! Yes, that second panel really clinched the deal for me as I was trying very hard to decide whether or not to stretch myself for this page.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Abraham Martinez wrote:
Wow....
Many thanks, Abraham! A very short comment but perhaps it summarizes it all very well.
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Panels 2,7, and 8 demonstrate the incredible story telling prowess of Ditko. All of the ingredients are present in this early page from issue 10 with JJ, BB, PP, and Spidey. Thanks for sharing such a great page during the Christmas season.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
ilia georgiev wrote:
Panels 2,7, and 8 demonstrate the incredible story telling prowess of Ditko. All of the ingredients are present in this early page from issue 10 with JJ, BB, PP, and Spidey. Thanks for sharing such a great page during the Christmas season.
Many thanks, Ilia! You are most welcome. It brought back great memories for me too and reminded me that I have been very fortunate in this hobby and will endeavor to do my best to be a good steward of the artwork that is with me.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Rick W wrote:
Thanks for sharing this trophy page!
Many thanks, Rick! To be perfectly honest, though, it is also very humbling to find myself as the steward of this page. I hadn't thought about it for many, many years but all the talk about Ditko's ASM pages has made me realize that I have been very fortunate in this hobby although I too had to do my part for pages that I really wanted.
Lance Suarez
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
beautiful Ditko example and well written story from a great collector.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Lance Suarez wrote:
beautiful Ditko example and well written story from a great collector.
Many thanks, Lance! You are too kind - a truly great collector is you, not me. Do take care.
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
You can't go wrong with Ditko Spidey greatness!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
West Stephan wrote:
You can't go wrong with Ditko Spidey greatness!
Many thanks, West! Steve Ditko was the artist who truly established the foundations for the series in a way that will always be remembered long after his passing.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Fisch Benz wrote:
Mic drop!
Many thanks, Fisch! Now, I haven't heard that term for a long time!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
This is fantastic CAB! This issue has a lot of meaning to me, and I love the fact that you posted it, and on Christmas Eve makes it all the more special! Thank you for sharing!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
This is fantastic CAB! This issue has a lot of meaning to me, and I love the fact that you posted it, and on Christmas Eve makes it all the more special! Thank you for sharing!
Many thanks, Nick! I remember the very touching story about your friend. Do take care, and wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Panel 2 alone would suffice for my Ditko example. Please do not cut up the page to send it to me. Lol.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Panel 2 alone would suffice for my Ditko example. Please do not cut up the page to send it to me. Lol.
Dear Peter, you have wonderful taste! LOL!
Jason Ladwig
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Incredible addition to your collection. Congratulations!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
Jason Ladwig wrote:
Incredible addition to your collection. Congratulations!
Many thanks, Jason! Just to say that it was obtained a long, long time ago - I would not have been able to afford even the buyer's premium now!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Gene Park wrote:
A bit of everything on this one - amazing!!
Many thanks, Gene! I trust that you are keeping well. Do take care.
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Great page to got along with your wonderful write up. Happy holidays to you comicartB!!!! 8 )
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/24/2023
J L wrote:
Great page to got along with your wonderful write up. Happy holidays to you comicartB!!!! 8 )
Thanks so much, Joe! I trust that you are keeping well. Wishing you and the family a wonderful Holiday Season and New Year!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2023
Dan F wrote:
Great page, every panel a winner!
Many thanks, Dan! And the overall piece is greater than the sum of its parts - a true microcosm of the early Spidey universe.
alessandro gentili
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
Sincere congrats for another museum addition to your incredible gallery.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
alessandro gentili wrote:
Sincere congrats for another museum addition to your incredible gallery.
Many thanks, Alessandro! OT, but you have an awesome collection yourself and many congrats on it.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
As much as I try, I cannot find anything that goes against this page. In fact, it's a one-page encyclopedia of Lee/Ditko at their best that could serve as a crash course in brilliant storytelling... I mean, you've got it all in that 9-panel grid: a bit of acrobatic fight (and, yes, I liked the Enforcers a lot, so...), JJJ in usual dictatorial mood (even when he's just walking!), Betty Brant lost in despair and shadows, Peter Parker trying to make some sense out of it all, while his alter ego gives us a spot-on Spider sense demonstration. And, oh, yes: you're forgiven for the quality of the scan!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
Al Simpleton wrote:
As much as I try, I cannot find anything that goes against this page. In fact, it's a one-page encyclopedia of Lee/Ditko at their best that could serve as a crash course in brilliant storytelling... I mean, you've got it all in that 9-panel grid: a bit of acrobatic fight (and, yes, I liked the Enforcers a lot, so...), JJJ in usual dictatorial mood (even when he's just walking!), Betty Brant lost in despair and shadows, Peter Parker trying to make some sense out of it all, while his alter ego gives us a spot-on Spider sense demonstration. And, oh, yes: you're forgiven for the quality of the scan!
Many thanks, Al! What a brilliant capsule comment which displays such a love and appreciation for the art form. And I will try to see if I can obtain a better scan!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
Just a great page. The second panel is worth the price of admission, but the last panel with JJJ seals the deal. Thanks for sharing!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
Ron S wrote:
Just a great page. The second panel is worth the price of admission, but the last panel with JJJ seals the deal. Thanks for sharing!!
Many thanks, Ron! I must confess that now, with the passage of time, I am appreciating the nuances of this page even more than ever before.
Mister Miracle
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
Awesome piece! Congratulations on a Ditko masterpiece! Merry Christmas!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
Mister Miracle wrote:
Awesome piece! Congratulations on a Ditko masterpiece! Merry Christmas!
Many thanks! OT, but what an awesome collection you have - reminding me that I have no Mister Miracle piece as well!
Mister Miracle
Member Since 2021
Posted on 12/26/2023
Comicart Boston wrote:
Many thanks! OT, but what an awesome collection you have - reminding me that I have no Mister Miracle piece as well!
Haha! Thank you Comicart Boston!
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/25/2023
What a fantastic Ditko Spidey page, congrats and Marry Christmas!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
Dino Mauricio wrote:
What a fantastic Ditko Spidey page, congrats and Marry Christmas!
Many thanks, Dino! And a Very Merry Christmas to you and your family too!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
Jimmy Cawley wrote:
Ox Oa all day !!!
Many thanks, Jimmy! And congrats on an excellent original comic art collection - if it had been me, I wouldn't have been able to have such a wonderful collection within such a short space of time.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/25/2023
Stephen F wrote:
A fantastic example. A real gem! Congrats!
Many thanks, Steve! I trust that you are keeping well - wishing you a wonderful holiday season and New Year ahead.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/26/2023
It's funny how time (and a lot less of it than you might think) soothes all of that "pain and strain." I know there's a whole discussion about over paying and I won't get into all of that here. But I honestly feel that the regret of not grabbing something when you had a chance stings a lot more than the regret of what one may perceive as over paying. The more time goes by, the more a nervous purchase becomes one of the smartest decisions you ever made. This is a spectacular Ditko gem from one of the first ten ASM issues no less. I have no doubt that you have a hard time surpressing a chuckle when you think back to the moment you bought this. I'm smiling just thinking about it.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/26/2023
E DLS wrote:
It's funny how time (and a lot less of it than you might think) soothes all of that "pain and strain." I know there's a whole discussion about over paying and I won't get into all of that here. But I honestly feel that the regret of not grabbing something when you had a chance stings a lot more than the regret of what one may perceive as over paying. The more time goes by, the more a nervous purchase becomes one of the smartest decisions you ever made. This is a spectacular Ditko gem from one of the first ten ASM issues no less. I have no doubt that you have a hard time surpressing a chuckle when you think back to the moment you bought this. I'm smiling just thinking about it.
Many thanks, Eric. I agree completely with you. However, as I alluded to in my description, were we both beginning in the hobby today, even what I did way back then would have been impossible. I am therefore very thankful that I still had the opportunity to purchase this piece. Of course, life is fair in a sense as I am that much older now, unfortunately, as well! That this piece has appreciated in value is fortunate but I hadn't banked on it. I know that nobody will believe me, but I was prepared then for what I collected to go to zero (although I figured that pieces such as this one would probably maintain their value in a manner of sorts). That was the only way to be able to collect with a good conscience whilst providing for the family, and also maintain as pure a love for the hobby as possible.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/27/2023
Did I just count SIX Ditko ASM pages in your gallery?? You've single-handedly turned your part of the world into an OA powerhouse!
Also, nine panels, Ditko-style! And that second panel should be on t-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, all imaginable merch. Iconic!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/27/2023
Felix Lu wrote:
Did I just count SIX Ditko ASM pages in your gallery?? You've single-handedly turned your part of the world into an OA powerhouse!
Also, nine panels, Ditko-style! And that second panel should be on t-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, all imaginable merch. Iconic!
Many thanks, Felix! Yes, that second panel is so cool. But the page as a whole is such a microcosm of the Spidey Universe as it stood at that particular point in time. I also believe that the cover to this issue was the only one where Spider-Man is drawn (and possibly also inked) by Jack Kirby - possibly because the original cover drawn entirely by Ditko was rejected for reasons that are unclear. But I have strayed off-topic although the mystery of the rejected cover is one that is extremely interesting, to say the least.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/27/2023
Wonderful Amazing Spider-Man page from a memorable storyline! I always enjoyed the stories of Peter Parker almost as much as I enjoyed the adventures of Spider-Man. This page gives you both. Love Steve Ditko's art from this era. There's something about his drawings of the classic characters that was just...right. I enjoyed these pages back then in a whole different way than I enjoy them now.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 12/27/2023
Bill J wrote:
Wonderful Amazing Spider-Man page from a memorable storyline! I always enjoyed the stories of Peter Parker almost as much as I enjoyed the adventures of Spider-Man. This page gives you both. Love Steve Ditko's art from this era. There's something about his drawings of the classic characters that was just...right. I enjoyed these pages back then in a whole different way than I enjoy them now.
Many thanks, Bill! I absolutely agree with you - the Peter Parker storylline was never a subsidiary one; Stan Lee was a brilliant storyteller. I also agree that my take on this page is somewhat different from when I first obtained it.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/30/2023
John Voytek wrote:
Wow...another home run! Congratulations!!!
Many thanks, John! As mentioned in the write-up, it's serendipitous that I began and ended my run many, many years ago!
Peter Roe
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/7/2024
You are very lucky to own a piece of history! Wonderful description!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 1/7/2024
Peter Roe wrote:
You are very lucky to own a piece of history! Wonderful description!
Many thanks, Peter, for your kind words. And many congrats on an excellent original art collection.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 1/12/2024
Amir E wrote:
That second panel is just awesome! Great Ditko!
Many thanks, Amir! Yes, the second panel is so impressive in and of itself.
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