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Topic: Rejected Cover Question (Ditko vs Kirby!) (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Rob Ocelot
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Posted: 18 January 2013 at 11:54pm | IP Logged | 1  
Kirby is also credited for 'fixing' Spider-man's legs on the cover of ASM#11. 



I was going to ask someone to recolour the Ditko AF#15 cover using a palette similar to the published cover with the thought being the grey and earthy tones would help the cover look less busy and make Spider-man 'pop' from the cover a little more.  If someone can do that I think it would help the comparison immensely.

I'm always kind of mystified when these unpublished Ditko covers surface that someone breaks out the pastels to colour it.  On the flip side I've seen a published AF#15 cover done in brighter colours (with a blue sky to boot) on a set of trading cards in the mid-90's and it just doesn't work.

Incidentally, the double cover shot of ASM#11 here really helps illustrate what's wrong with modern colouring techniques, especially when applied to art not specifically created with that approach in mind.  The loss of web detail on Spider-man's hand is puzzling.  Ditko's Doctor Octopus has a very subtle part in his hairline that gets lost in favour of the Romita-esque 'Roy Orbison' look.  Most of the early Doctor Octopus appearances have him dressed in hospital gowns, ordinary (modified) street clothes or a one-piece purple boiler suit but here the colourist gets lazy and tries to turn the normal pants and shirt into Ock's later green-one piece. (even his socks are green!)  And apprently Ditko didn't draw enough wrinkles in Ock's clothing so some more were added, except for the wrinkles Steve drew where the tentacles emerge from the shirt.   Ock's drawn metal arms convey far more depth and detail than the 'instant gradient and highlight' macro used in the recolouring.  The recoloured Ock has no visible means of support -- only one tentacle is touching the floor (and there's no way the one that's off camera is supporting him).  The crowning achievement is that Spider-man's knee now looks like he has a pack of cigarettes stuffed under his costume!



Edited by Rob Ocelot on 18 January 2013 at 11:59pm
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Jozef Brandt
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Posted: 19 January 2013 at 1:49am | IP Logged | 2  
I like the Ditko version simply because it looks like he's really got a hold on the guy he's carrying.  In the Kirby I don't "see" the guy's weight. 

For the most part either is fine, and I think the Ditko would've been just as iconic. 
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Sue Ward
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Posted: 19 January 2013 at 6:20am | IP Logged | 3  
Those Hulk pencils are the best!
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Pascal LISE
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Posted: 19 January 2013 at 2:42pm | IP Logged | 4  
I hear you Sue!
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Pascal LISE
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Posted: 20 January 2013 at 5:41pm | IP Logged | 5  
Unused Ditko cover for MACHINE MAN that appeared in THE COMIC READER #176:
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Joe Hollon
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Posted: 20 January 2013 at 6:27pm | IP Logged | 6  
That would be a great cover for a trade paperback or something! 
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Peter Martin
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Posted: 20 January 2013 at 7:01pm | IP Logged | 7  
In the Kirby I don't "see" the guy's weight. 
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Given that Spider-Man has super strength, I don't see this as a valid criticism of Kirby's version. It may have been entirely intentional.
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Brian Hague
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Posted: 20 January 2013 at 7:21pm | IP Logged | 8  

To say nothing of the fact that Spidey and his passenger are approaching the uppermost point of their swing. Both are being thrown upwards in that shot. Showing the criminal dragging Spidey down would not have communicated the swing well at all. I think it's safe to say Kirby knew what he was doing.

 
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