Ron S :: Tales to Astonish

Tales to Astonish #60, page 1

Artists: Steve Ditko (Penciller) , George Roussos (Inker)

6,369 Views - 31 Comments - 6 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Tales to Astonish #60, page 1
Artist:	Steve Ditko (Penciller)
Artist:	George Roussos (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	6,369
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	31
Added to Site:	1/31/2013
Comic Art Archive:	Tales to Astonish Issue: 60 Page: 1 View

Description

When you think of Steve Ditko, what comes to mind? Spider-man? Dr. Strange? How about The Incredible Hulk?

The Incredible Hulk? Really?

Yep! I�ve already spoken about the history of the Hulk in a prior note, but here is a quick refresher. The first five issues of The Incredible Hulk were penciled by Jack Kirby, with inks by Ayers, Reinman, and Ditko (yes, he inked Kirby at times). Issue #6 was penciled and inked by Steve Ditko. I�m sure that there was no direct correlation, but The Hulk was cancelled after that sixth issue, presumably due to a lack of sales. Rereading those issues is fascinating. The character went through more changes in six issues than most characters go through in six years. Initially set up like a horror book, the story evolved to more of a fugitive like storyline. The Hulk changed colors, and what triggered the transformation went from darkness to the use of a Gamma Ray machine. Still, Marvel stuck with the character and the concept and eventually figured out a way for him to interact with the rest of the Marvel universe. The Hulk resurfaced in Avengers #1, inadvertently helping to create the team. Then, I�m assuming there was some positive feedback, since the Hulk was given another chance at his own book, or at least a chance to share a book � Tales to Astonish. The Hulk appeared in Tales to Astonish #59, with art by Ayers (handling the pencils this time) with Reinman on inks, and the story evolved a little more; Bruce Banner started having the change triggered by anger, and the Gamma Ray machine was history.

With issue #60, the Hulk became a co-owner of the title. Steve Ditko continued on where he left off with issue #6, and penciled the Hulk stories in Tales to Astonish from issue #60 through #67. Right away, you can see the difference in the set up. As I mentioned above, in the first six issues of the Hulk, he was a feared and hunted monster. By the time he had joined Tales to Astonish, the focus was on making the character more sympathetic, and frankly, more �hip�. In fact, in his first issue as co-owner of the book, the lead in on the splash read �Can a man with green skin and a petulant personality find true happiness in today�s status-seeking society?� Does that sound like a horror book, or a comic book for that matter? Ditko was followed by Kirby, Kane, Powell, Esposito, Buscema, Romita, Marie Severin and a host of others, and the Hulk just continued to gain speed. By issue 102, the Hulk had kicked out Giant Man, and any other co-stars, and the book had changed its name from Tales to Astonish to The Incredible Hulk, and the run continued for many, many years.

But, to turn your attention to the reason for my rambling - take a look at the opening splash to the beginning of Tales to Astonish #60, by Steve Ditko and George Roussos (listed as George Bell); the first issue of The Incredible Hulk�s incredible run of continuous stories carrying through to today.

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About the Owner

	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	January 2026
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Charles Dahan
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/31/2013

Incredible! Where did you find this remarkable jewel?? Amazing!

Felix Lu
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/31/2013

Another great one! How do you do it?? Might be my favorite one yet. Congrats!

Doc R
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/31/2013

Spectacular ditko splash. You can open a museum soon. Seriously, where do you find these pages!

Chris C
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/31/2013

Pretty friggin great...PRETTY. FRIGGIN. GREAT!!!

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/31/2013

"Can a man with green skin and a petulant personality find true happiness in today�s status-seeking society?" It's funny - time marches on, but man keeps confronting the same basic questions over and over again. I guess I'll have to read TTA 60 to get the answer. Beautiful piece...per usual. Why don't you try to really shock us and post a 'My Pretty Pony' cover next?

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/31/2013

are you kidding... uh WOW... uh... Geeze that's incredible!

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/1/2013

Ditko handled the Marvel melodrama, which this splash highlights, better than most.

. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007

Posted on 2/1/2013

Sweet!

David Mandel
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/1/2013

Congrats! Don't know why but I love how angry thunderbolt Ross looks.

C ComicArt
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/1/2013

Great piece. My first exposure to the Hulk was through these issues, which were reprinted in one of those Lancer paperback books. I have come to appreciate these even more over the years, especially now that I realize how much Ditko made Banner into a mirror image of himself

George H
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/1/2013

The SA-splash king strikes again!!! Your posts always go above and beyond. This is an incredible piece.

David K
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/1/2013

WHAT THE HECK RON? This is a phenomenal score!!! Congrats!

andrew burton
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/1/2013

Congratulations on a fantastic piece of history.

Wesley Liu
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/1/2013

You have been able to unearth some great silver age gems, but you really outdid yourself this time!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/1/2013

Wesley Liu wrote:

You have been able to unearth some great silver age gems, but you really outdid yourself this time!

I�m going to have to chime in with Wesley on this one. You have some truly magnificent SA examples, but this very well may be the cherry on your sundae. I think the fact that most people DON�T think of the Hulk when they think of Ditko, is the very thing that makes this piece so special. And I love the fact that the image is so representative of the entire series and history of the character. You�ve got Bruce Banner with the specter of his monster alter ego looming over him, plus the ironic pairing of his arch nemesis whose daughter is the love Banner�s life. I don�t know why, but I think this would make a perfect movie poster, if not a perfect comic cover. Of course it works as a splash too!

Mike W
Member Since 2007

Posted on 2/1/2013

Vintage Marvel Magic!!! Congratulations, my friend!!

bob fish
Member Since 2011

Posted on 2/1/2013

museum page ! thank's for sharing

Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

Posted on 2/1/2013

Five star splash!! Iconic!!

Ken R
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/1/2013

Truly "INCREDIBLE" pick-up Ron!

Dave W
Member Since 2006

Posted on 2/1/2013

Absolutely iconic Hulk/Banner image and a very significant page in Hulk's history. Congrats on a gem of gems!

Davide G.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/1/2013

Yeah, 'museum piece' makes it quite the idea... Congrats!

Steve Welch
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/1/2013

I love this splash -- it's so great to see it again! Congrats Ron on another phenomenal pickup, and on your great taste in art!!

Mike (aka Off White) White
Member Since 2008

Posted on 2/1/2013

Another incredible piece added to your magnificent collection! Congrats!

J L
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/2/2013

Love your taste and your write ups!!!! Congrats again!!!!

Michael One Minute Later
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/2/2013

A truly Astonishing and Incredible piece and it belongs in your collection -- fabulous

Joseph Melchior
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/9/2013

Breathtaking. I'm just in awe of your collection, Ron. And thanks for the potted histories.

Cary Appel
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/9/2013

You never cease to amaze

Hans Kosenkranius
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/16/2013

As a kid, I remember this one well. Congrats!

Steven biali001
Member Since 2005

Posted on 9/2/2016

What an incredible splash!!!

Marc W
Member Since 2014

Posted on 8/13/2017

LEGENDARY! Thanks for sharing this gem!

Fred's CAF Gallery
Member Since 2003

Posted on 8/31/2017

That is one HUGE "monkey" on Bruce Banner's back! :-)

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