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From the Mouths of the Marvels:

“One of my strongest foes -- and yet, I must defeat him -- for the sake of Aunt May!”

-- Spider-Man, as the true identity of the Master Planner is revealed, in the classic Amazing Spider-Man #32

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Stan and Steve are about to meet Fantastig, a very interesting fellow!

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The arrogant Dr. Stephen Strange loses his livelihood.

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Ditko sketches out some of his greatest creations in Spidey's rogues gallery!

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From the Inside Dustflap:

FACE FRONT, TRUE BELIEVER!

In 1962, in the last issue of a cancelled series, artist Steve Ditko teamed with writer Stan lee to create a super hero unlike any other. Instead of a remote arctic headquarters or a secret underground cave, he lived with his elderly aunt in Queens, New York. He battled problems of money, school and family as often as he fought super-villains. This new hero was Spider-Man - and guided by Lee and Ditko, he quickly became Marvel Comics' most popular character.

During the next four years, Ditko helped create such memorable villains as Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, the Vulture and dozens more classic Spidey foes. In sharp contrast to Spider-Man's grounded realism, Ditko also co-created Dr. Strange - a hero who's mystical battles against bizarre, otherworldly threats showcased the artist's limitless creativity. Alongside Lee and Kirby, Ditko's contributions played an integral part in laying the groundwork for the modern-day Marvel Comics.

Now, Marvel Comics pays tribute to Ditko's innovative work with this collection of his most memorable stories, including the following highlights:

  • Amazing Adult Fantasy #7- One of Ditko's earliest Marvel issues!

  • Amazing Spider-Man #1- Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon!

  • Amazing Fantasy #33- Peter Parker's first day of college!

  • Strange Tales #115- The origin of Dr. Strange!
  • Speedball #1- the introduction of another quirky Marvel teen hero!

Many of these Ditko classics have long been unavailable to the comic-book reader. Spanning his career from the 1960s to the 1980s, this volume is the perfect collection for the Marvel Comics fan of any age!

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More mystic mayhem from the pages of Strange Tales!

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  Marvel Visionaries:
Steve Ditko


Reprints:
  • Stories from Tales to Astonish #26 & 42, Amazing Adult Fantasy #7, 10, 12 & 13, Strange Tales #94 & 97
  • Amazing Spider-Man #1, #31-33, Annual #1
  • Incredible Hulk #6 & 249
  • Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #110, 115, 126-127 & 146
  • Iron Man from Tales of Suspense #48
  • Daredevil #162
  • Speedball #1
  • Squirrel Girl from Marvel Super-Heroes #8
List price: $29.99 (US) • $48.00 (Canada)
ISBN: 0-7851-1783-0
340 pages

Original Release Date: 4/20/05
Current In-Print Edition: First Print

SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES: (7 pages total)

  • Introduction by Blake Bell
  • Unused cover for Amazing Fantasy #15
  • Unused cover for Amazing Spider-Man #10
  • Amazing Spider-Man #1 promo piece
  • Pencils for Amazing Spider-Man #31, page 7
  • Pencils for Amazing Spider-Man #38, page 5

Buy From:
TALES OF WONDER: $20.99 • AMAZON USA: $19.79
AMAZON UK: £14.05 • AMAZON CANADA: $25.66

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Tales to Astonish #26: "Dream World!"
5 pages • December 1961

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Stan and Steve explore the nature of dreaming...boy, do they!


Amazing Adult Fantasy #7: "Why Won't They Believe Me?"
5 pages • December 1961

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"What would you do if you knew a monster was in our midst...but could convince nobody else? Here is how one man solved that problem...to his everlasting regret!"


Amazing Adult Fantasy #7: "Journey's End"
5 pages • December 1961

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"You've read time travel stories before. Sure you have. But take it from us, you've never come across an ending like this before! And neither did our startled friend here!"


Strange Tales #94: "Help!"
5 pages • March 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: A man receives a strange phone call from an alien life form...or does he?


Amazing Adult Fantasy #10: "Those Who Change"
5 pages • March 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"He warned them not to meddle with the past! But they wouldn't listen! Of course, if they knew what we know..."


Amazing Adult Fantasy #10: "No Sign of Life"
3 pages • March 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"Is it possible for an entire galaxy to have no sign of life? Or is there sometimes more to life than meets the eye?"


Amazing Adult Fantasy #12: "Something Fantastig?"
3 pages • May 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: An out-of-this-world fellow visits the editorial offices of Amazing Adult Fantasy magazine.


Strange Tales #97: "Goodbye to Linda Brown"
5 pages • June 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"Why would a young girl vanish from the face of the Earth? Perhaps if you were Linda Brown, you might have done it, too!


Amazing Adult Fantasy #13: "The Unsuspecting"
5 pages • June 1962

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"Can an unearthly race invade Earth without anyone suspecting it? Now wait, friend! Before you answer, we suggest you read on..."


Tales to Astonish #42: "I Am Not Human!"
5 pages • April 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

"What really is a human being? I had to learn to answer! And I did learn part of the answer...the hard way!"


Amazing Spider-Man #1: "Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon"
10 pages + cover • March 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: After trying (and failing) to gain membership to the Fantastic Four, Spidey must take on the charlatan known as the Chameleon, who is masquerading as....Spider-Man!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM #1.


Incredible Hulk #6: "The Incredible Hulk vs. the Metal Master!"
24 pages + cover • March 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: The Metal Master takes over General Ross' military base, and his next stop is Washington, DC! Only the Hulk has the power to face up to him!

For details on this story, see the feature page for HULK #6.


Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #110: "Dr. Strange: Master of Black Magic!"
5 pages • July 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Dr. Strange battles Nightmare!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ST #110.


Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #115: "The Origin of Dr. Strange"
8 pages • December 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: The origin of the Master of the Mystic Arts! An arrogant physician loses his whole world, but regains a whole new one he scarcely thought could exist! But first, he must protect his master, the Ancient One, from the diabolical betrayal of the one known as Baron Mordo!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ST #115.


Iron Man from Tales of Suspense #48: "The Mysterious Mr. Doll!"
18 pages • December 1963

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko, inks by Dick Ayers

Synopsis: Iron Man dons his red and gold armor for the first time, and puts it through its paces against the treacherous Mr. Doll!

For details on this story, see the feature page for TOS #48.


Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1: "The Sinister Six!"
41 pages + cover • 1964

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Spider-Man has never before faced such a challenge: the combined might of Doctor Octopus, Electro, Sandman, the Vulture, Mysterio and Kraven...the Sinister Six!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM Ann #1.


Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1: "How Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Create Spider-Man!"
3 pages • 1964

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM Ann #1.


Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #126: "The Domain of the Dread Dormammu!"
10 pages • November 1964

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Dr. Strange must penetrate the dark dimension ruled by Dormammu with an iron fist. There, he meets the lovely Clea for the first time!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ST #126.


Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #127: "Duel With the Dread Dormammu!"
10 pages • December 1964

written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Dr. Strange has inspired the wrath of the Dread Dormammu, and must now contend with the threat of the Mindless Ones!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ST #127.


Amazing Spider-Man #31: "If This Be My Destiny"
20 pages + cover • December 1965

written by Stan Lee, plot and art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: Spider-Man must contend with the new threat of the Master Planner, all the while contending with his entry into Empire State University and the sudden illness of his beloved Aunt May. Even meeting Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn can't help take his mind off Aunt May, who he soon finds out is dying!

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM #31.


Amazing Spider-Man #32: "Man On A Rampage!"
20 pages + cover • January 1966

written by Stan Lee, plot and art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: The Master Planner is none other than Dr. Octopus, who steals the antidote that would save Peter Parker's Aunt May for his own evil purposes. Spider-Man tracks the antidote down to Doc Ock's undersea lair, but in a fight to regain it, is trapped beneath several tons of rubble.

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM #32.


Amazing Spider-Man #33: "The Final Chapter!"
20 pages + cover • February 1966

written by Stan Lee, plot and art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: With precious seconds of time ticking off the clock, Spider-Man reaches deep within his reserves of strength to lift the tons of rubble off his back. He grabs the antidote and makes his escape from Doc Ock's fortress, in time to save Aunt May's life.

For details on this story, see the feature page for ASM #33.


Dr. Strange from Strange Tales #146: "The End - At Last!"
10 pages + cover • July 1966

written by Dennis O'Neill, plot and art by Steve Ditko


Daredevil #162: "Requiem For A Pug!"
18 pages + cover • January 1980

written by Michael Fleisher, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: After being stricken with a serious case of amnesia after helping avert a meson-ray meltdown catastrophe, Matt Murdock is taken in by a friendly fight trainer, and a not so friendly manager, the evil Mr. Hyle. Matt must fend his way through a new life as a boxer under the thumb Hyle and his vicious pet leopard.


Incredible Hulk #249: "Jack Frost Nipping At Your Soul!"
17 pages + cover • July 1980

written by Bill Mantlo, art by Steve Ditko

Synopsis: The Hulk finds a palatial refuge hidden deep in a mountain chasm, but it is an icy solitude built by Jack Frost, who wants to be left alone as much as the Hulk does!


Speedball #1: "Speedball: The Masked Marvel"
22 pages + cover • September 1988

written by Tom DeFalco and Roger Stern, co-plot and art by Steve Ditko, inks by Jackson Guice

Synopsis: The origin of Robbie Baldwin, the teenager with newfound powers that are beyond his control!


Marvel Super-Heroes #8: "The Coming of Squirrel Girl!"
20 pages • January 1992

written by Will Murray, art by Steve Ditko

Iron Man is minding his own business, testing out a new feature of his armor, when he finds himself face-to-face with Squirrel Girl, a young woman with a big, bushy tail, teeth that can chew through anything, and power over squirrels! After fending off her attempts to become his sidekick, Iron Man is reluctantly drawn into a fight against Dr. Doom, with none other than Squirrel Girl at his side!


-- synopsis by Gormuu


       
     

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