tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148500349447339883.post2723570413838542141..comments2024-01-11T05:12:57.536-08:00Comments on Michael Aushenker's CARTOON FLOPHOUSE: Role Models in Journalism: Rex Graine at the Daily CrusaderGreenblatt the Great!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05833132744552978594noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148500349447339883.post-48689016185905444232010-04-22T07:11:34.459-07:002010-04-22T07:11:34.459-07:00That's a good way of putting it, Nilskidoo (or...That's a good way of putting it, Nilskidoo (or can I call you Doo for short?)<br /><br />Nils, I think your astute Aesop comparison comes from the fact that, unlike most comic book writers, who kind of write for the market and tap into some common, generic ideas of good/bad, right/wrong, etc. (like TV writers), the power of Ditko's writing and concepts come from the fact that he has such a specific value system that is the underpinning of his stories and the characters he creates. <br /><br />He has figured out for himself what is good, what is bad, and why the gray areas should not exist (that last part being opposite of what most entertainment explores.....it seems that since the 1970s, serious moviemakers have been obsessed with the gray areas).<br /><br />The flip side of this paradigm is that Ditko can be repetitive, often returning to similar themes and concepts. Mr. A, The Question, the Outline, the Mocker, The Creeper--all cut from the same cloth. <br /><br />But, oh, what wonderful cloth it is! There's enough variation between his creations to make things interesting. <br /><br />And, of course, his creations are pretty unique and independent of other creators' concepts of "superheroes." But that's why he's the one and only mighty Steve Ditko!Greenblatt the Great!https://www.blogger.com/profile/05833132744552978594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148500349447339883.post-85794769768982586002010-04-21T22:11:28.590-07:002010-04-21T22:11:28.590-07:00And following Stephen Strange's career-ending ...And following Stephen Strange's career-ending drunk-driving accident, he was forced into a quest for truth.<br />There is that duality in all of his characters, where circumstances force if not an altogether 180 in life direction, then at least a forced stripping down to basics of their own psyches. Really, I'd call Ditko the modern day answer to Aesop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148500349447339883.post-91831441618131802672010-04-21T21:11:43.428-07:002010-04-21T21:11:43.428-07:00It's interesting (and not coincidental?) that ...It's interesting (and not coincidental?) that the alter egos of Ditko's vigilante heroes are in some type of truth-seeking profession....often journalism of some type or another. Jack Ryder (the Creeper) was a TV reporter.Greenblatt the Great!https://www.blogger.com/profile/05833132744552978594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148500349447339883.post-30964485144340927692010-04-21T19:55:41.532-07:002010-04-21T19:55:41.532-07:00I agree 23 zillion percent. From the dual passions...I agree 23 zillion percent. From the dual passions of comic books and journalism onto Ditko's Objectivistic hero Rex being a prime source of personal inspiration and influence.<br /><br />cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com