"Ghost Rider" released 2007

Marvel Comics' supernatural hero, Ghost Rider, came to the silver screen February 16, 2007.   Stunt motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze (played by Nicholas Cage) sells his soul save his father, and becomes the Ghost Rider.  

I enjoyed the movie, even though it didn't receive many positive reviews and Cage was nominated for a Razzie for Worst Actor.  However, it was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.  

It is one of the few Marvel movies in which Stan Lee did not have a cameo, since he was not involved in creating the character of Ghost Rider.

Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-man and Dr. Strange, born 1927

Steve Ditko, born November 2, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a comic book artist and is credited with co-creating Spider-man and Dr. Strange.  Growing up, Ditko's father sparked his interest in newspaper comic strips and when Steve served in the military, he drew comic strips for a military newspaper.

After his discharge, he enrolled in what is now the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1950, graduating in 1953. In 1955, he went to work for Atlas Comics, which is now Marvel Comics, illustrating stories written by Stan Lee. 

In 1962, Spider-man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15, a collaboration between Ditko and Lee.  But it seemed that Lee was getting most of the credit for the superhero instead of Ditko.  This led to a years long feud between the two.  

Lee eventually complied and gave Ditko credit for his contributions.  Ditko also worked for DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and Defiant Comics. 

He was reclusive and rarely gave interviews.  He never married or had children.  He passed away in June 2018 from a heart attack.

"Fantastic Four" released 2005

Marvel Comics brought its superhero quartet to the big screen, Fantastic Four, July 8, 2005. The film starred Ioan Gruffud as Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as the Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as the Human Torch and Mike Chiklis as the Thing.  Stan Lee made a cameo appearance as the Richards' mailman.

It was a commercial success although critics were not impressed.

I still like it!

Remembering Stan Lee (1922-2018)

Stan Lee, one of the creative forces behind Marvel Comics, has passed away at 95.  He worked with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko to create such immortal characters such as Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men.

Comic Book Artist Jack Kirby born 1917

Jack Kirby, known around the world for being one of the most prolific and successful comic book artists, was born August 28, 1917 in New York City.  He learned to draw comics by tracing them from the papers and in 1940, he was hired by Timely Comics, where he co-created one of the best heroes of all times, Captain America.

In the 60's, he teamed up with Stan Lee at Atlas Comics which would become Marvel.  There he and Lee co-created...well,...just about everybody.  In the 70's Kirby went back to DC Comics where he created the Fourth World Saga and New Gods.

Kirby passed away February 6, 1994 from heart failure.