 | The Good: Fantagraphics has done a beautiful job putting together this "coffee table" book. The production quality is high and the book is abundant with reproductions of Steve Ditko's comic book work from the beginning of his career in 1953 to his most recent efforts. And author Blake Bell has done his homework and presents an exhaustive history of Ditko's career.
The Bad: Bell's attempt to explain Objectivism and its impact on Ditko's work demonstrates a lack of understanding of both. He presents Objectivist principles out of context and his speculations on Ditko's motivations lack merit due to this lack of understanding. I also adamantly disagree with many of the author's conclusions regarding the quality of Ditko's 70's, 80's and 90's work and his criticisms of Ditko's decisions regarding which projects he chose to accept and refuse.
Conclusion: I do recommend this book in spite of the author's flaws. Ditko's artwork is wonderful, the writing is well done and interesting, and, most of all, it's about Steve Ditko, who, in my opinion, is the greatest comics creator in the history of comics.
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Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko by Blake Bell
