Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:16PM8 comments ›
Tue Feb 12, 2008 — by Mike Gold
ComicMix History Lesson: Steve Ditko's Revenge
Beware the artist!
The cover Mike Raub used to illustrate his ComicMix Radio piece earlier today reminded me of another cover of somewhat similar design ... and quiet controversy. So it's time for another ComicMix History Lesson!
Once upon a time DC Comics had this idea of resurrecting their Showcase try-out series, but they made a couple significant changes. Instead of doing three-issue try-out runs, they did a series of one-shots. And, unlike Showcase's The Flash, Lois Lane, Green Lantern, The Atom (et al) runs, by and large these one-shots sucked.
They named the series 1st Issue Special because the phrase "1st issue" sold comics to collectors, and then they numbered each issue sequentially, proving their desire to sell comics in Canada outweighed their faith in collectors (don't ask – or, better still, if you want to know, ask and I'll respond in comments).
One of the better issues resurrected Steve Ditko's Beware The Creeper, dropping the "Beware" part. Editorial director Carmine Infantino rejected Steve's cover concept and drew up one of his own. 
Evidently, Steve didn't care for it, but that was how the gig worked. So he drew it as designed: Firefly battling The Creeper in the sky, with a down-shot point-of-view.
As you can see, both characters are pummeling each other as they are falling to the ground. In the background is a street scene, with tiny little cars. And across from one of those tiny little cars, there's a tiny little fire hydrant. And next to the fire hydrant, there's a tiny little dog. And next to the tiny little dog who is next to the tiny little fire hydrant, there's a tiny little puddle.
That last part reflects what Ditko thought of Infantino's cover design.
Jump to comments (8)
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Comments (8)
MARK WHEATLEY (5:39 PM on Tue Feb 12, 2008)
Yeah - but isn't all this moot after the "brilliant" idea to have the Creeper fight FIREFLY? I remember thinking at the time, "have they no clue?" And of course we all know the answer.
Now - the first time THE CREEPER showed up in SHOWCASE was an entirely different situation. At that time, they had a clue.
And when are they going to print that final issue of SHADE?
I really need to get a life.
Mike Gold (6:01 PM on Tue Feb 12, 2008)
That Showcase Creeper cover is awesome. But the cover to Beware The Creeper #1 is even better.
MARK WHEATLEY (7:06 PM on Tue Feb 12, 2008)
You're right. Really, Ditko was never better than in those early issues of BEWARE THE CREEPER. And I say that while having a great deal of affection for just about all of Ditko's work. Next on the list would be his work for Warren.
Tom Fitzpatrick (6:59 PM on Tue Feb 12, 2008)
Those who cannot remember the past, are doomed to repeat it.
Like, for example, missing two weeks of Grim Jack.
Shall we go, for a third?
Henry Peeling (7:13 PM on Tue Feb 12, 2008)
I loved the Creeper when I was a boy, I remember the original issue but my favourite was when he showed up in Batman after Bats had been framed for killing Ra's a Ghul (if I spelled it wrong I haven't read comics for a long time.)
Sal Loria (4:15 PM on Wed Feb 13, 2008)
"They named the series 1st Issue Special because the phrase "1st issue" sold comics to collectors, and then they numbered each issue sequentially, proving their desire to sell comics in Canada outweighed their faith in collectors (don't ask – or, better still, if you want to know, ask and I'll respond in comments)."
Being Canadian, I'm curious about the back story here. Consider yourself asked. ;)
Marilee J. Layman (5:03 PM on Wed Feb 13, 2008)
I'm gonna guess it has to do with import. That something that is serialized has better import duties than a one-off. (Just mailed an SFBC anthology to Australia because they don't ship down there.)
Jim Kosmicki (10:17 AM on Wed Feb 13, 2008)
well, that cover design got ME to purchase said book as a 10-11 year old consumer. But then again, I bought all the issues of 1st Issue Special off the stands, and enjoyed most of them. So maybe it's nostalgia, but when people slag on this series, I get a bit annoyed.
Out of those 13 issues, Warlord debuted. Say what you will about Warlord, but it was a success. In fact, I would guess that monetarily, its success more than made the 1st Issue Special title worth the investment.