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Summary
AlthoughSpider - Manco - creatorSteve Ditkois best remembered as a Marvel visionary , his output signal at DC Comics is no less great , and include some of the publisher ’s finest characters . Interestingly enough , many of Ditko ’s best DC founding did not take off at the publishing firm , instead originating with Charlton Comics . The right to these graphic symbol were later obtained by DC .
Steve Ditko ’s DC creations are various , ranging from street - level vigilante such as the Question to high - construct science fiction hero sandwich like Starman . When compared to his work at Marvel , Ditko ’s contributions to the DC Universe are sparse . Yet the wonderful characters he aid create are still having an impact on the DC Universe , and here are the ten beneficial , ranked .
10Stalker Was a Compelling Character Who Sadly Never Went Anywhere
First Appearance:Stalker#1, co-created with Paul Levitz
Steve Ditko did splendid work in a smorgasbord of genre other than superheroes , and Stalker is the proof . Rooted in the sword and sorcery genre , Stalker was a young prince who overcome a daimon lord . Stalker take in immortality but lost his person , and embarked on a seeking to get it back . Stalker ’s book only hold out four issues before cancellation , and while the character has made sporadic appearance since , he has largely fall into obscurity . This is sad , as his highly compelling story was never resolved , as Levitz and Ditko moved on to other character .
9Punch and Jewelee Are No Laughing Matter
First Appearance:Captain Atom#85, co-created with Dave Kaler
Steve Ditko moved to Charlton Comics mid - decade , make a turn of innovative eccentric , such as Punch and Jewelee . Beginning as Captain Atom baddie , Punch and Jewelee wouldgo on to link up the Suicide Squad , but tragically , Punch was killed for defy Amanda Waller . Adopting a clown / courtyard jester theme , the two were viewed as principally “ caper villains , ” of no real outcome , but their appearances in late comics , particularly after being acquired by DC , have shown their baneful potential . Jewelee used the clown whatchamacallit years before Harley Quinn came about , and a engagement between the two could make for laughable gold .
8Prince Gavyn, the Starman, Underwent the Hero’s Journey
First Appearance:Adventure Comics#467, co-created with Paul Levitz
Steve Ditko made a name for himself at Marvel illustrating skill fiction stories , and this is on showing beautifully in his Starman tales . The second of Ditko ’s Colorado - creations with Paul Levitz , Starman , alias Prince Gavyn , was the shielder of Throneworld . Originally a spoiled and entitled blue blood , Gavyn would go through an incredible journeying , becoming a straight torpedo . Gavyn ’s adventures only lasted 11 consequence , and the character would not make a right take until James Robinson and Tony Harris ’ mid-1990sStarmanbook . Gavyn’sappearances inStarmanhelped introducethis big Dikto instauration to a new generation .
7Nightshade Underwent a Huge Metamorphosis
First Appearance:Captain Atom#82, co-created with Dave Kaler
Another one of Steve Ditko ’s Charlton Comics creations , Nightshade , has undergo perhaps the biggest alteration of any grapheme on this tilt . introduce as a partner and making love pursuit for Captain Atom , Nightshade over time became a more supernatural - theme grapheme . Hailing from the “ Land of the Nightshades , ” she has apparition - found magnate , as well as the ability to teleport people through her dwelling dimension . After being integrate into the DC Universe afterCrisis On Infinite Earths , Nightshade would join an other incarnation of Amanda Waller ’s Suicide Squad , as well as Shadowpact .
Spider - Man was magnificently the creation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko , but Jack Kirby made one very authoritative part to Marvel ’s most famous hero .
6The Creeper Is a Colorful Character In Both Appearance and Personality
First Appearance:Showcase#73, co-created with Don Segall
Steve Ditko regularly used journalists as fictional character , and the Creeper was a great exampleof this . Jack Ryder , a tatty and brash diarist , possessed a twist that transformed him into a jaundiced - scrape lunatic with a terrifying laugh . In increase to his physical transmutation , Ryder gained superhuman speciality and nimbleness that he then used to fight crime as the Creeper . A furor favorite , the Creeper has been the national of several revivals over the years and latterly seem inthe pages of Tom King’sDanger Street , which played on the character ’s arrogant and flashy nature .
5Shade the Changing Man Lived Up to His Name
First Appearance:Shade the Changing Man#1
One of Steve Ditko ’s most unequalled DC founding , Shade the Changing Man , has lived up to his name in more room than one . Shade ’s original title , which Ditko both write and cast , only lasted eight issues before cancelation , and the character would make occasional appearances in the DC Universe , most notably inSuicide Squad . Then , in the former nineties , author Peter Milligan and artist Chris Bachalo considerably revamped the character , and helped lie the grounding for the late Vertigo imprint . Although the claim made a few tokenish allusion to Ditko ’s version , it was mostly its own .
4Hawk and Dove Were More Than Just Mouthpieces
First Appearance:Showcase#75, co-created with Steve Skeates
Steve Ditko was not afraid to take on philosophic issues in his kit and caboodle , and Hawk and Dove are excellent representativeof this . riddle by the Lords of Order with wonderful index , brothers Hank and Don become avatars of war and peace , severally . Under Ditko ’s guidance , Hawk and Dove was a compelling geographic expedition of the themes of warfare and serenity , but the moral force between the two brothers kept it from being a didactic use . Don was killed in theCrisis on Infinite Earths , and a new Dove , named Dawn , assume his place . This squad is still a part of the DC Universe today .
3Captain Atom Was a True Cold War Hero
First Appearance:Space Adventures#33, co-created with Joe Gill
Theearly 1960s were the meridian of the Cold War , and the comics of the time reflected this , include one of Steve Ditko ’s best creations : Captain Atom . The character ’s origin and appearance have undergone substantial modification since his first coming into court , but the core remains the same . Captain Nathaniel Adam volunteers for an experimentation that gives him nuclear magnate . He has to wear a containment suit to protect others . Captain Atom , like other Charlton fiber , was later acquired by DC , and is most notable today for being the inhalation forWatchmen’sDoctor Manhattan .
2Steve Ditko Dared to Ask…The Question
First Appearance:Blue Beetle, Volume 4 #1
Steve Ditko was a well do it admirer of the ideas of Ayn Rand , and her ism inform one of his in force creation : the Question , which he created for Charlton Comics . Continuing Ditko ’s enthrallment with journalists , the Question was crusading reporter Vic Sage , who used a special chemical to mist his facial features and fight crime . The Question was notoriously rigid in his belief , arrogantly take on he was always in the right . When Charlton ’s Action Heroes unchanging was acquired by DC , writer Denny O’Neil and artist Denys Cowanreworked the query into a moremorally ambiguous hero .
1For a Generation, Ted Kord was the Blue Beetle
First Appearance:Captain Atom#83
TheTed Kord incarnation of the Blue Beetle ranks as Steve Ditko ’s most lasting contribution to the DC Universe . Like the Question and Captain Atom , Ted Kord began as a Charlton Comics eccentric , and was later folded into the DC Universe . The case soon became a appendage of the Justice League , where he encounter his best supporter , Booster Gold . Kord was seemingly killed in the buildup toInfinite Crisis , but would return to life during the New 52 era . Today , he still enjoys adventures with Booster Gold , while serving as a mentor for his heir , Jaime Reyes .
When comparing the two Marvel and DC hero Jaime Reyes and Tony Stark , it becomes clear that Blue Beetle ’s armor fix Iron Man look like an amateur .
Steve Ditkowas a visionary , having co - createdSpider - Manand a number of Marvel picture . Yet the character in this lean raise that Dikto ’s visual sense extended beyond Marvel and into other newspaper publisher as well , cementing his position as one of strip ’ all - clock time greats .
