michael_nielsen

9. Kirby and Ditko were given to understand that if characters they co-created took off, there would be money in them, informally.

10. Spider-Man created in 1962 by Lee and Ditko, based on earlier concept by Kirby and Joe Simon

11. While working on Spider-Man, circa 1963, Ditko started reading Ayn Rand and quickly became devoted follower.

12. The Rand that attracted Ditko was the Fountainhead Rand, the myth of the heroic artist who rejects compromise.

13. By 1966, as Marvel is making more and more money from licencing, Ditko feels he's taken advantage of. Quits Marvel.

14. When he quit Marvel, Ditko sent a letter to Kirby saying he should do the same. Kirby was tempted but had wife, 4 kids. Ditko single.

15. Later, Lee asked Ditko to return to Spider-Man. Ditko: "Not until [owner] Goodman pays me the royalties he owes me."

16. Post-1966 Ditko's work divides into two: personal small press stories (often Randian tracts) & commercial hack-work.