COMING FROM NOWHERE -- STEVE DITKO'S THE ODD MAN !!!

 

"I Am...The Odd Man!"

I love the splash page from the debut of the new Steve Ditko's The Odd Man. It was produced, but published only as a part of DC's Cancelled Comic Cavalcade. He also makes a cameo in the Creeper story in this comic book as well. A revised version of the Odd Man story did finally appear in Detective Comics #487. The original story was later published in The Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol. 1.

Armed only with his wits and a slew of elaborate gadgets intended to disorient and confuse, private investigator Clayton "Clay" Stoner, aka The Odd Man, sets out to fight the good fight, Those gadgets include his crazy tilting headquarters, a weighted extended tie, a spray he developed which melts certain plastics, gloves that emit powder or smoke when he claps his hands together and a slippery oil spray. The Odd Man is also able to cause people to black out, although that is quite ambiguous how he does it.  

Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2
"The Pharaoh and the Mummies"
Clay Stoner, investigates jewel thefts, as The Odd Man. He encounters a man dressed as a Pharaoh who mummifies his victims in some sort of plastic. Discovering all the stolen gems are Nile stones, he begins to suspect the administrator of the Egyptian wing of the museum and her companion. When Odd Man breaks into the administrator's home, she and the Pharaoh get the drop on him and seal him in a sarcophagus. Odd Man had prepared for that special plastic the Pharaoh uses, escapes his tomb and defeats the faux Egyptians.

Detective Comics #487
"The Pharaoh and the Mummies"
Revised version of the story published in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2. Most of the dialogue was rewritten. 

The Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol. 1
"The Pharaoh and the Mummies"
The story originally intended for unpublished Shade, the Changing Man #9. A revised version of the story was published in Detective Comics #487.

The Odd Man was said to have appeared in Superboy #65, even showing on the cover, but I have not been able to check it out. The Creeper and Hawk and Dove also appear in that issue though! 

The first comic book I ever bought! Amazing Spider-Man #38, which I got signed by Stan Lee a few years ago!

Thank goodness for the two Ditko Omnibuses and many other hardbacks I have seen of late. Now if only his later works were more widely available, like Mr. A and Missing Man. Always something to wish for! 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!    

 

THE COMING OF...STEVE DITKO'S SQUIRREL GIRL !!!

 
“I don’t need luck. I eat nuts.”

Popular of late, probably with her appearances in Deadpool, is Steve Ditko's Squirrel Girl. Ditko plotted the story and drew her for Marvel Comics. Co-creator Will Murray wrote the introductory story, published in Marvel Super Heroes #8 Winter Special.

Squirrel Girl's ability to communicate with squirrels is surprisingly effective and has allowed her to defeat major supervillains, such as the villainous Doctor Doom. She was a member of the Great Lakes Avengers for much of the duration of that group, and later began serving as nanny to Danielle Cage, the daughter of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones.

Her creation and inspiration came from Doc Savage author Will Murray, wanting to cut loose from the serious drama of the X-Men titles and bring back the light-hearted anything-goes joy of comic books. Isn't it about time we need some old fashion. 


Will Murray has since described the character's genesis: "Actually I created Squirrel Girl in script form without any artist input. Tom Morgan was originally going to draw it, but when he dropped out, I requested Ditko and got him. Ditko did a great job in bringing my baby to life. He invented that knuckle spike. It wasn’t in the script.

 

"I based Squirrel Girl ironically enough on a long–ago girlfriend who read comics and was into "critters"—wild animals of all types. Coincidentally, she was big Ditko fan. I think I got the idea because I had a bunch of squirrels running around my roof and sometimes coming in through my open bedroom window and inspiration struck."

Doreen Green, a.k.a. Squirrel Girl, is originally from the Los Angeles, California. She is first seen ambushing Iron Man in a forest, hoping to impress the veteran hero and become his sidekick. The 14-year-old mutant introduces herself and her pet squirrel, Monkey Joe, and displays her abilities (all squirrel-themed.) After she rescues Iron Man, from Doctor Doom, with the help of a horde of squirrels, Iron Man states that while she is too young to fight crime, but will put in a good word for her to the Avengers when she is older.

Squirrel Girl is a mutant, and evinces a variety of mutations which align with the squirrel theme. She as a  furry, prehensile tail roughly 3–4 feet in length, sizable buck teeth, which are strong enough to chew through wood, and superhuman strength and agility, enabling her to jump between trees with ease. Her fingers have sharp claws on them, assisting her with climbing, and she possesses retractable "knuckle spikes" roughly 2-3 inches in length on each hand. Most importantly, she is capable of communicating with and understanding squirrels.

Marvel Super Heroes #8 Winter Special
"The Coming of...Squirrel Girl"
In an Iron Man feature, Squirrel Girl tries to hook up with Iron Man, as his sidekick and the two end up facing Doctor Doom.
Squirrel Girl and Monkey Joe next in G.L.A. (Great Lakes Avengers) #1.

G.L.A. #1
"Great Lakes Avengers"
Origin of Mr. Immortal and the Great Lakes Avengers along with the death of Dinah Soar.
Four issue mini-series written by Don Slott with art by Paul Pelletier & Rick Magyar.

I Am An Avenger #1
"Welcome Home, Squirrel Girl"
Squirrel Girl comes home to New York City.
Written by Alex Zalben with art by Tom Fowler.

This original Ditko & Murray story was reprinted in Marvel Visionaries: Steve Ditko.  It also includes Steve Ditko Spider-Man original art, Speedball, Hulk, Daredevil, Iron Man & Doctor Strange stories! Highly Recommended!!! You don't want to miss this stuff!!!

 Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

 

THE TOUGH AND THE TAME - STEVE DITKO'S THE HAWK AND THE DOVE !!!

Two issues after the Creeper, DC Comics didn't disappoint with publishing Steve Ditko's The Hawk and the Dove in Showcase #75 and then in their own comic book, unfortunately only lasting six issues. Written by co-creator Steve Steates with art by Steve Ditko, in the first two issues of the series. Gil Kane took care of the artistic duties for the remaining issues. 

Showcase #75  The Tough and the Tame! The Challenger and the Challenged! This is our Tale...A Tale of Two Brothers...The Hawk and the Dove!
"Prologue"
At Elmond University, in a small college town, pro-war and peace demonstrators face off. Caught squarely in the middle are Don and Hank Hall, brothers, a "dove" and a "hawk". They argue about compromise, force, and rights as a riot breaks out and police rush in. Meanwhile, across town at the courthouse...
"Chapter 1: In The Beginning..."
In a small college town in Elmond County... In court, Judge Hall senteces Mr. Dargo, a racketeer, to jail. He vows "my boys" will get revenge. In chambers, Don and Hank argue about compromise vs. violence, but Judge Hall states they're both wrong (to be single-minded). A bomb bounces in and they dive. Judge Hall is hurt and hospitalized. The boys head back to school, but Hank sees, "That man..."
"Chapter II: A Voice...a Voice" 
Hank spots "The man who threw the bomb!" The boys follow into an abandoned building, but are trapped. Mobsters plan to assassinate Judge Hall. Don wishes for super-strength, or power... A "strange, disembodied" voice offers the bickering boys power. Hank gets an angry red-white hawk costume. Don gets a baby-blue dove outfit, and doesn't want it! "Whenever injustice strikes" they need only call the names "Hawk" and "Dove", but the powers will fade when not needed. Smashing free, they run, swim, and climb the hospital walls to save their dad.
"Chapter III: The Birds Fly"
Costumed, Hawk and Dove burst in on mobsters come to kill Judge Hall in the hospital. Hawk breaks heads, kicks, and tosses felons. Dove tries lectures and reason - and ducking - and pitches out a window to snag a flagpole. Dove returns just in time to deflect "Boss's" gun from killing Judge Hall. Judge Hall is grateful, but wants their names. "Just Call us The Hawk and the Dove!" Their costumes melt away. The judge tells reporters he cannot condone the heroes' actions, and they should turn themselves in! The boys exit, bickering.
"Court is in Session"
In a text article, Dick Giordano introduces himself, with The Hawk and the Dove and the political terms, citing Vietnam. He urges you "scribble a little something" to the publisher.

The Hawk and the Dove #1  He's Taking A Terrible Beating ...And I Can't Help Him! I Won't Fight...I 

Can't!

"The Dove is a Very Gentle Bird" 

The Drop-Outs, a gang of thieves, run rampant in the college town of Elmond and Hawk and Dove are unable to capture them due to their constant bickering.

The Hawk and the Dove #2  Fight You Fool! Fight Back! There I No Other Way to Win! I Can Win--But I Won't Do It Your Way!
"Jailbreak"
While on a family vacation, the Halls encounter a group of escaped convicts. Dove defeats the ringleader his own way, without resorting to extreme violence like his brother.
 

  
The Hawk and the Dove #3  No, No! Don't Shoot! You Fool! Stop the Cat...Not The Police!
"After the Cat"
The criminal Cat is shot and captured by the police when neither Hawk's nor Dove's methods succeed.
Inks by Sal Trapini.
Reprinted in Teen Titans #39.
"Twice Burned"
When Hank and Don learn that Linda's father was beaten up, they work separately to find out what happened.
Captain Action promo. 

The Hawk and the Dove #4  Okay Little Boy...Don't Help...Stand There Sniveling...But Stay Out Of My Way!
"The Sell-Out"
When an artist friend of Don's is murdered, Hawk and Dove embark on a case that turns out to involve art forgery and political corruption as well.
Sgt. Rock & Bat Lash promos.  

The Hawk and the Dove #5  You Shot The Hawk! You Think I'm A Coward...That I Won't Fight...Well, Buster, You're Going To Find Out How Wrong You Are..NOW!
"Walk With Me, O'Brother...Death Has Taken My Hand"  
Judge Hall believes an old friend of his has been framed for robbery and manslaughter. Hawk and Dove investigate but before the truth is revealed, Hawk is critically injured and Dove goes against his beliefs by violently beating the man responsible.
Inks by Wally Wood
"Wildcat Fact File"
Article about the Golden Age Wildcat. Includes one panel reprinted from an unidentified issue of Sensation Comics.  

The Hawk and the Dove #6  C'mon Boys! You Can Save Your Father...If You Can Reach Him!
"Judgement In a Small, Dark Place"
The judge is kidnapped by the son of a man he once sent to prison.
Inks by John Celardo
Superman promo.
"The Spectre Fact File"
Article about the Golden Age Spectre and the Silver Age revival. Includes one panel reprinted from the revival series.

 

DC Comics published The Steve Ditko Omnibus a few years back. Volume 2 included reprints of the Hawk and the Dove stories done by Ditko. Along with all the other gems in it, I highly recommend both volumes of the omnibus. They are dynamite!

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!