There was an episode of The Simpsons once where Comic Book Shop Guy exclaims "What in the name of Steve Ditko?".  As far as I am concerned, this was probably the first time I have ever heard a mainstream pop culture reference to the artist Steve Ditko.  Ditko's acknowledgement on that episode earned him something else.  He was now Simpsons famous.

So if you know who I'm talking about, then you probably know Ditko is a tad on the reclusive side.  His style was so opposite of Kirby, yet just as dramatic but more surreal.  Unlike Kirby, Ditko took an opposite stance in commenting on the state of the comic book industry and his own legacy.  He remained quiet.

So when it was announced there was a BBC 4 documentary coming out called "In Search of Steve Ditko", I'm sure a lot of folks, like myself, got a bit excited to watch.  Finally some insight into his life.

I first got turned onto Ditko's work from Marvel Tales reprints in the 80's.  It was in those early Amazing Spider-Man stories that I fell in love with his quirky style (and even quirkier double jointed out-stretched hands everyone seemed to possess).

Be sure to check out the documentary on You Tube (while it lasts).  Its gone viral, so if you don't find it at first, keep searching, it will be hard to miss.  It is broken up into 7 parts, so make sure you watch them in order.