Steve Ditko Captain Atom, Question and Blue Beetle Sketch
Artist: Steve Ditko (All)
42 Comments - 467 Views - 28 Likes
Additional Images:
Ditko's Reply at the Back
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI had always wanted a Ditko depiction of the Blue Beetle and this was as ideal an opportunity as any. Indeed, it is a triple-header, so to speak, because in addition to the Blue Beetle, one also obtains his other Charlton superhero artwork - Captain Atom and the Question. Finally, there is a Steve Ditko autograph (which is itself quite rare, although those who received the traditional negative responses to their letters would also receive such an autograph as well (well worth the trouble of writing him!)).This sketch is in response to a well-meaning inquirer. To be perfectly honest, this probably took more effort on Ditko's part than actually responding in writing. However, as we all know, Ditko (a Randian), having drawn a line in the sand with respect to responding in writing, was never going to respond with a letter in return (please see the additional image of at the back (which yielded another autograph BTW!)). Nevertheless, this was (in my view at least) an even better response (albeit not to the actual questions posed)! The artwork itself is relatively small: the image area measures 3" by 5.5". Finally, it is from the collection of Roger Hill - a thoroughly nice man who, unfortunately, left us too early. Rob Stolzer has just provided more information as to where this originated (please see his interesting comment, below). An Addendum: The autograph on the front (with the drawing) appears to be his name written out while that at the back appears to be his signature (I did a search on this over the Internet to confirm this). Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Marcus Wai 
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Pretty awesome! Three familiar Ditko hero types you see here that he's also used in many of his other past creations.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Marcus Wai wrote:
Pretty awesome! Three familiar Ditko hero types you see here that he's also used in many of his other past creations.
Many thanks, Marcus. It is pretty amazing how Ditko managed to do all that within a very small compass.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Three headshots AND an autograph. Not sure you could ask for more in a 3 x 5 Ditko. Wonderful memento.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
E DLS wrote:
Three headshots AND an autograph. Not sure you could ask for more in a 3 x 5 Ditko. Wonderful memento.
Many thanks, Eric. Yes, that's a lot crammed into such a small space. But what impressed me most was that Ditko took the time, trouble and effort to respond to this particular fan in a more than cursory fashion.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
While it IS quite small, I have to echo all the positives you mention about it, CAB. While I certainly understand and respect that your primary interest was in getting Ditko Blue Beetle art, I'm happy to see this because I'm even more excited by you owning an original Question portrait by Ditko and CAptain Atom is a nice bonus!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
While it IS quite small, I have to echo all the positives you mention about it, CAB. While I certainly understand and respect that your primary interest was in getting Ditko Blue Beetle art, I'm happy to see this because I'm even more excited by you owning an original Question portrait by Ditko and CAptain Atom is a nice bonus!
Many thanks, Rubén. Yes, having all three in such a small compass (plus his autograph) makes this a unique piece. And he was such a nice person to have responded in this way.
Rob Stolzer
Member Since 2004
5 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Congratulations my friend! It is indeed a wonderful drawing, one that I have a history with. I originally found it in a small comic book shop in Minneapolis in the early 1990s. I owned it for a number of years before it went to Albert, who clearly parted with it, eventually going to Roger. I've often wondered what happened to the drawing and I'm glad to know that it's in good hands.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Rob Stolzer wrote:
Congratulations my friend! It is indeed a wonderful drawing, one that I have a history with. I originally found it in a small comic book shop in Minneapolis in the early 1990s. I owned it for a number of years before it went to Albert, who clearly parted with it, eventually going to Roger. I've often wondered what happened to the drawing and I'm glad to know that it's in good hands.
Many thanks, Rob. And thank you so very much for the additional background to this piece. I've also updated the description with a reference to your comment too.
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
A great gem from Roger's (and now your) collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Stephen F wrote:
A great gem from Roger's (and now your) collection!
Many thanks, Steve. And many, many congrats on your outstanding Wrightson Frankenstein plate! I only every corresponded with Roger but he was such a wonderful person.
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 10/14/2024
This is great! The size of the piece doesn't matter, the artistic genius is gigantic.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
John Voytek wrote:
This is great! The size of the piece doesn't matter, the artistic genius is gigantic.
Many thanks, John. Perhaps in some ways, one could say that the fact that Ditko could do so much in such a small space was also testament to his artistic genius.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
John C wrote:
Beauty.
Many thanks, John. It is indeed and I am honored to be its current steward (on the "journeys" this piece has made over the years, please see Rob's comment above.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Rick W wrote:
Sparkling little gem!
Many thanks, Rick. I love the way you put things so succinctly, yet powerfully.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Ron S wrote:
A great piece in a great collection. Love it!
Many thanks, Ron. Much appreciated from someone with an even greater collection! Trust that you are keeping well.
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Wow, that is such a wonderful Steve Ditko example, with TWO signatures, thanks to his letter on the back saying that he will not be responding to a letter, haha! Your description prompted me to do some research on Randians. Interesting stuff (I need to re-read The Fountainhead). Anyway, congrats on getting this wonderful piece!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Paul P Spiderversity wrote:
Wow, that is such a wonderful Steve Ditko example, with TWO signatures, thanks to his letter on the back saying that he will not be responding to a letter, haha! Your description prompted me to do some research on Randians. Interesting stuff (I need to re-read The Fountainhead). Anyway, congrats on getting this wonderful piece!
Many thanks, Paul. A lot of Ditko's work is tied up with his philosophical beliefs and I am trying to learn more about it myself.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Great piece of the Charlton Ditko trio, congrats!! The signature is great and the quick note on the back is awesome history/provenance - in addition to the all-star group of previous owners outlined in the comments above and description which you are now joining as a worthy caretaker for the piece!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Kavi H wrote:
Great piece of the Charlton Ditko trio, congrats!! The signature is great and the quick note on the back is awesome history/provenance - in addition to the all-star group of previous owners outlined in the comments above and description which you are now joining as a worthy caretaker for the piece!
Many thanks, Kavi. It is indeed a Who's Who of prior owners. In all honesty, I am the most insignificant of the lot. It is truly humbling to learn who the previous owners were.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Beautiful and amazing story behind this SMALL piece of art. I have written "SMALL" in caps because the art and the artist (signining) are enourmous. Huge congrats. That's very nice.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Toni S wrote:
Beautiful and amazing story behind this SMALL piece of art. I have written "SMALL" in caps because the art and the artist (signining) are enourmous. Huge congrats. That's very nice.
Many thanks, Toni. The historical backdrop to this piece is also so fascinating. All in all, it is a truly unique piece of Ditko memorabilia.
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Awesome piece CAB! Caught wind of it when you mentioned it on Ruben's show. Also very cool that the piece itself has a pretty cool history attached. Really love the image especially Blue Beetle and Question who are 2 characters I enjoy (although more familiar with the more modern depictions). Major congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
David Kwock wrote:
Awesome piece CAB! Caught wind of it when you mentioned it on Ruben's show. Also very cool that the piece itself has a pretty cool history attached. Really love the image especially Blue Beetle and Question who are 2 characters I enjoy (although more familiar with the more modern depictions). Major congrats!
Many thanks, Dave. Yes, the historical backdrop is fascinating. The previous owners were giants and I am very humbled to be the current steward. Ditko did some awesome work on Charlton although his Marvel ASM tends to overshadow it.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Ian Saint wrote:
That is awesome! Love the response!
Many thanks, Ian. Yes, the response is so Ditkoesque!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 10/14/2024
Gorgeous! A Master! Drawing a Masterpiece!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/14/2024
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
Gorgeous! A Master! Drawing a Masterpiece!
Many thanks, Nick, for your very kind words. Ditko was a truly gifted artist indeed as even this relatively simple sketch demonstrates.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/15/2024
Always nice to see rare treasures like this one!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 10/15/2024
Mark Levy wrote:
Always nice to see rare treasures like this one!
Many thanks, Mark. It is indeed rare in many senses of the word - from its origin to its execution and even to its ownership.
Mister Miracle
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 10/17/2024
Wow! Thanks for sharing...that is a beauty! A Ditko Blue Beetle is also a hope of mine! Congrats =)
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/17/2024
Mister Miracle wrote:
Wow! Thanks for sharing...that is a beauty! A Ditko Blue Beetle is also a hope of mine! Congrats =)
Many thanks. I have no seen any of his Charlton work on the Blue Beetle show up thus far although there have been Captain Atom pages.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/20/2024
Zounds! This has a weight and significance that belies it's small size: this is an astonishing treasure! A perfect add to your collection, CAB! Mega-congrats - this is wicked cool!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/27/2024
Jason Hussa wrote:
Zounds! This has a weight and significance that belies it's small size: this is an astonishing treasure! A perfect add to your collection, CAB! Mega-congrats - this is wicked cool!
Many thanks, Jason. Such a perceptive comment as always!
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 10/27/2024
Not sure if you know this or not but this piece is published in Twomorrows Publishing's MLJ Companion.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/27/2024
John C wrote:
Not sure if you know this or not but this piece is published in Twomorrows Publishing's MLJ Companion.
Many thanks, John. I didn't know that. Do take care.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/27/2024
Great image! Getting a Ditko BB is a top shelf acquisition. Congrats!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/27/2024
Dave W wrote:
Great image! Getting a Ditko BB is a top shelf acquisition. Congrats!!
Many thanks, Dave. As mentioned, I always wanted a BB by Ditko, so I am really thrilled to be able to obtain this piece.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 11/2/2024
Peter Roe wrote:
Amazing! This is so cool!
Many thanks, Peter. I trust that you are keeping well.
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