Along Came a Radioactive Spider: Strange Steve Ditko and the Creation of Spider-Man

by Annie Hunter Eriksen, Lee Gatlin (Illustrations)

Spider-Man’s web of stories began far before the first drawing of nerdy teenager Peter Parker. They started with Steve Ditko, a kid who loved comics so much that he would brave blizzards to get new issues. Steve was strange―he was introverted, his art was shadowy, and his characters didn’t fit the mold of handsome heroes like those crafted by Marvel legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. But it's not so strange that the traits that made Steve different were what made his characters stand out.

Swing into the life of Steve Ditko and discover how he transformed a brawny, super-powered Spiderman into the perpetually awkward teenager who we know and Spider-Man, a character who relies on his inner strength more than super strength, who got his powers not through magic but through the bite of a radioactive spider…

This biography takes the mask off the famously reclusive artist and shares the story of how his wall-crawling hero became a friendly neighborhood icon.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Art, Writing, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book biography of Spider-Man creator and comic book artist, Steve Ditko.

Because Steve Ditko was such a private man, this was kind of a hard book to write for the author I'm sure. He didn't share his personal life with many, so details on him and his work are sparse, which means the details in this book are also sparse. It is more about Spider-Man's origins and how his character changed from initial concept to first publication. Spider-Man fans may enjoy knowing more about the character's history and development.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite biographical material about Steve Ditko I've ever read. Thanks, Katie!

This is a children's book, but not one that talks down to its readers, and does a light brush but truthful job talking about its difficult-on-purpose subject matter, even dipping into his objectivism. I'm glad that this is in my library.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about Marvel Comics, Steve Ditko, just like your first book about Stan lee, is so much fun. I loved reading the story behind the story of how Steve Ditko transformed a brawny, super-powered Spiderman into the perpetually awkward teenager who we know as Spider-Man, a character who relies on his inner strength more than super strength and got his powers not through magic but through the bite of a radioactive spider…

Lee Gatlin did a great job capturing the Steve Ditko's comic book style where loners had eyeballs - not muscles - that bulged. Where monsters are shrouded in shadows, not heroes in capes. Otherworldly beings are draped in fog, instead of showing off pretty damsels in distress. Page Street Kids knew what they were doing when they hired Lee to do the illustrations for this book and With Great Power. His love to comics comes through on every page. I am sure Stan Lee and Steve Ditko would love the job Lee did to help Annie tell their story.

Readers don't have to be a fan of comics to enjoy the history told in this book. It is definitely a book for everyone in the family. I hope Annie is able to come up with other artists who have brought the classic comic book characters and stories to life.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Along Came a Radioactive Spider primarily for three reasons.
The artwork is reminiscent of comic books for the storyline and newsprint for the images of superheroes.
The captivating narrative focuses on the events in Ditko's life that are of most interest to a young audience.
The drastic changes Ditko made to the original Spiderman, resulting in today's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, are explained in detail.
If you have a Spider-Man fan in your life, this would be a fabulous option. Especially with the latest movie out!

Along Came a Radioactive Spider prompts me to repeat this blanket statement, because it is an ideal specimen: Today's picture book biographies, nonfiction narrative, and informational texts are really incredibly interesting and fun and well written and captivating. Nonfic today in no way resembles the dry offerings of my childhood.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all of the spidey fans out there, have you ever wondered about the man behind the mask? No I’m not talking about Peter Parker!

Along Came A Radioactive Spider is children’s friendly biography about comic artist Steve Ditko. His unique style and desire for something different in the comic world led to his creation of Spider-Man.

I think I’ve become a bigger Marvel fan as I’ve gotten older and already being a history nerd, this book was so fun for ME to read! The amazing layout and illustrations teeter between a comic book and a picture book, a recipe for success. Young readers are drawn in because of course Spider-Man but I think this book will also appeal to slightly older children as well. My oldest loves to draw and create her own characters, what a perfect story to keep her motivated.

[Dave Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure who this is for. It's ultra-short; the text is as brief as a toddler's picture book like Where The Wild Things Are, for example. It's effectively a blog post with illustrations. You'll read it in less than five minutes.

And there aren't any significant insights or revelations. "There are contradicting stories as to why Steve abruptly left Marvel." No kidding. Obviously the answer to that is complex, but all we get here are two of the usual explanations -- art vs business or creative differences over the Green Goblin's secret identity -- which are just superficial journalistic "Rosebud" reveals, not worth mentioning unless you're going to dig into them much deeper. The small children the book is aimed at aren't going to care. Anyway, "an unauthorized biography" certainly oversells it.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Ditko was a quiet and somewhat reclusive man who loved comics from a very young age. As an adult, he was hired under Stan Lee and drew comics where his fictional heroes differed from the other mainstream, more popular, more handsome heros of the time. Steve's hero was a gangly teenager with none of the popular kid attributes such as wealth, looks, backround. He was bitten by a radioactive spider, and thus was born Spider-Man.

I had always been under the impression that Stan Lee was the original inventor of Spiderman, but this book taught me otherwise. Because Ditko was such a private man, not much is known about him, and not much is played out in detail here either.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much to this book. Apparently that was just who Ditko was. But this does capture his story at least in part. And gives a feel to his point of view. And his art. It definitely makes me want to read more comic book history. Is it really a kid's book?

[Hannah DCamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful! The artwork was fun, and the writing was engaging. It was a great length too - it got its point across simply and artfully, which is not something all biographical picture books succeed at. If anything, it could've been longer, but that may be because of personal interest.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book biography introduced me to the creator who produced art and comics the way he wanted and not just copy those before him. The text is filled with onomatopoeia just like the comic books and that makes it fun to read out loud.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book biography of the reclusive and fascinating creator of Spider-Man, Steve Ditko.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am 100% biased, but I enjoyed this story of an introvert who created characters different from the standard superhero mold.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick children’s nonfiction about Ditko & his creation of Spider-Man. More personal than a usual kids book but well done

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little children's book about a comic creator whose name I knew but whose story I didn't. Very enjoyable.

[Grg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it was longer and had more about Ditko's post-Spiderman life. Still, this was a lot of fun with great illustrations.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book bio of the creator of Spider-Man.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and enlightening picturebook biography about the graphic artist Steve Ditko who created Spider-Man (and made him different from other comic book heroes.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun bio told in a simple, succinct way, that I think a lot of kids would be interested in reading.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography of the amazing Steve Ditko (SD)! It is about time a book for children addressed SD contributions to Spider-Man (SM). Because SD was an introvert he did not get the attention Stan Lee (SL) got for creating SM. There are so many stories about their collaboration on SM that it is a web that has caught both truth and lies - that will never be untangled. I also shelved this book as philosophy because of SD adherence to the teachings of Ayn Rand. In my opinion it did influence his creative impulse to a large degree.