When I left for Comic-Con 2004, my main goal was to score a Ditko ASM page. While there were no less than seven of them at the show, none grabbed me harder than the page Paul DeDomenico picked up from issue 10 and this gem. What is it about this page? I have a fondness for the way Ditko left out Spidey's webs when he drew him small, so that top-middle panel in particular really speaks to me, and the lower left panel's Spidey figure is smokin'. Notice the page looks cut up. It was/is. Apparently, a couple of pages from this issue were altered to tweak the story/fight sequence. Thanks to Mike Thibodeaux for letting this one go!

I didn't think I'd be able to accommodate a Ditko prehero page in my S.D. 2003 budget, but was able to trade a handful of Carlos Pacheco Avengers Forever pages to Mike Burkey for this classic page from a classic Lee/Ditko 5-pager titled, "Bronson's Brain." While technically not a "prehero" page--the issue features an Antman story and the second appearance of the Wasp--it's close enough for me.

2003 turned out to be my year to score a few of my most sought after gems. In this case, a Ditko Dr. Strange page from my favorite story arc. The one that saw Doc battle against Mordo and Dormammu for what seemed like an eternity (pun intended). The scan doesn't do the page justice. Love that last panel. Love the flying panels. Love the aerial view in the middle panel. Love the venetian blind lighting/shadow effect that was so much a part of the film noir look. Sheesh. I love this page! Thanks to my pal, Bill Howard, for letting this one go.

My first Ditko page, acquired at S.D. 2001. It was holding me over until I found an ASM, Dr. Strange, or prehero page by Ditko. Three down, more to go. There aren't many inkers who can do justice to Ditko's legendarily sparce pencils, but Jackson Guice did a darned good job, IMHO.

I knew my friend Henry Baba had been thinking about selling this Ditko Warren wash page, but I couldn't believe it when he pulled it out of his portfolio while we were walking to the San Diego convention center to pick up our badges before the start of Comic-Con 2005. It took me a fraction of a second to say "Yes!" when he asked me if I was interested. I won't bore you with what attracted me to the page. The work speaks for itself. Thanks, Henry!