Comic book artist Steve Ditko, who co-created Spider-Man and Doctor Strange for Marvel comics in the early 1960s, has died aged 90, US media has reported.
Steve Ditko in the 1960s. Photo: WikiCommons
Ditko was found dead in his New York apartment last week, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Artist Steve Ditko in a self-portrait published in a 1960s Marvel comic. Photo: Marvel
Working with writer Stan Lee, Ditko created Spider-Man in 1961 and Doctor Strange in 1963, designing the look of the iconic characters.
In his long career, he also created characters such as Hawk and Dove, The Creeper, Squirrel Girl and Mr A, a character who strictly followed the rules of Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy.
Ditko left Marvel in 1966 after disagreements with Lee, but returned in the late seventies. He also worked for DC, Charlton and other publishers.
While his creations have become world famous and sparked blockbuster movies, Ditko actively shunned the spotlight, refusing to be photographed and rarely interviewed.
He still regularly wrote, drew and published his own comics - many featuring Mr A - from his Manhattan studio until the end.
Comics book creators and fans have paid tribute to the artist: