In Search of Steve Ditko

Yesterday, I said the Steve Ditko Spider-Man Artist Edition book would be delivered today. I had pre-ordered it with Amazon in February. In fact, I ordered two copies, with one going to Denro as a birthday present.

Here it is, after 2 PM, and they haven’t shipped yet. Based on my past experience, I know that if something isn’t on its way by now, it won’t be arriving as expected.



Also based on past experience, I expected that canceling wouldn’t work; and, indeed, it didn’t, because the order was “being prepared.” Which is nothing more than a timed software action, not based on something actually happening.

Was the publisher unable to ship copies to Amazon in time? Were they sent to the wrong Amazon location? Is there an internal problem at Amazon? Doesn’t matter.

Canceling should be presented as an option once Amazon declares that delivery has been delayed. I’ll cancel and then take advantage of the now-discounted price for later delivery.

Follow-up: 7 PM – not yet shipped.

9 PM – Shipped, arriving tomorrow.

7/22/26 8:26 AM – Package being processed at carrier facility.

Oh boy! A total of 22-cents off!

The Amazing Spider-Man by Steve Ditko Artist's Edition

Price on order date: $195.00

Price charged at shipping: $195.00

Lowest price before release date: $194.89

Amount to be refunded: $0.11

Quantity: 2

Total Savings: $0.22

Let’s compare that against the current price on Amazon. 22% off beats 22-cents.

-22%
$151.50
List Price: $195.00

Late Breaking News

Not so much late breaking news as just late, as this item is from a few days ago.

Disney Vs. Ditko Ends

After more than two years, Disney and subsidiary Marvel have reached a settlement with the estate of acclaimed comic book artist Steve Ditko.

https://deadline.com/2023/12/marvel-court-termination-disney-spider-man-dr-strange-1234843941/

Steve Ditko’s original, unused cover for Amazing Fantasy #15.

My First Favorite Marvel Artist

John Romita became my first favorite Marvel artist with the first Marvel Comic I bought, Daredevil #19.

Daredevil #19, 1966

Romita wasn’t a flashy artist, and he wasn’t a fast artist. He was a dedicated, hard-working professional whose attractive style greatly expanded the popularity of Spider-Man after the departure of co-creator Steve Ditko.

Amazing Spider-Man #43, pg. 19. Art by John Romita, Sr.

John Romita passed away in his sleep Monday night at age 93, leaving us with one fewer of the few remaining comic book creators of the Silver Age.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/arts/john-romita-sr-dead.html