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The Creeper
The Creeper by Steve Ditko by Ditko, Steve, O'Neil, Dennis J., Various(April 6, 2010) Hardcover
Originally introduced in 1968, The Creeper was secretly outspoken Gotham City talk show how Jack Ryder, whose stance against organized crime made him a target. Mortally wounded by the mob, Ryder was saved by a scientist whose serum granted him super powers. As The Creeper, this strange new hero battled the villain known as Proteus, and fought alongside Batman and The Justice League of America.
Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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113 people want to read
About the author
Steve Ditko
1,257 books140 followersStephen J. "Steve" Ditko was an American comic book artist and writer best known as the co-creator of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.
He was inducted into the comics industry's Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990, and into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.
He was inducted into the comics industry's Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990, and into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 19, 2017
This volume reprints all Creeper stories by Steve Ditko, but not all Creeper stories. Ditko purists should be pleased. Creeper completists will be less pleased (A short-lived 1976 Creeper series from ADVENTURES COMICS, for example, is not included, as Steve Ditko had nothing to do with that one.).
The volume begins with the “pilot episode” from SHOWCASE #73 (1968), which directly leads in to the 1968-1969 CREEPER series. Then, we have a 1975 “one shot” from FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL #7, the 1977-1978 Creeper back-up stories from WORLD’S FINEST COMICS and the never-published SHOWCASE #106 from circa 1977. The never-published SHOWCASE issue coincides with the WORLD’S FINEST series, so we’re essentially talking about two series and a one-shot.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, the original series – including the “pilot” from SHOWCASE #73 – is the best of these. Denny O’Neil, sometimes writing as “Sergius O’ Shaugnessy,” provides dialogue and apparently some plotting. O’Neil’s liberal politics would seem in opposition to Ditko’s Randian views, but the Creeper isn’t overtly political, and here, Ditko and O’Neil prove a good pairing. I do wonder if Ditko didn’t wince over some O’Neil dialogue where the Creeper states that he can’t let criminals die, but…that aside, the initial Creeper series developed nicely into a gritty crime comic, with some ongoing mysteries. It’s a pity that it didn’t run longer.
The 1975 one-shot, on the other hand, is pretty forgettable, so I’ll forget it and skip to the 1977-1978 series. This time, Ditko writes and draws the whole package, and while this second series isn’t as good as the first, there’s certainly some fun to be had. To be fair, Ditko only had eight pages per issue, so there’s less room for sub-plots and character development. For the most part, these are mostly agreeable, tightly plotted one-offs, and Ditko does add new supporting characters. Once again, he largely leaves the Randian philosophy behind and even injects some humor now and then.
I seem to be working a little backwards, since I haven’t said much about the Creeper himself. For the record, the Creeper is secretly Jack Ryder, who works security for a major television network (In the original series, the Creeper’s city of residence isn’t named, but in later stories, it’s clearly identified as Gotham City.). You’d think that this kind of day job would be dull, but….no. Really, Ryder’s a detective who investigates various threats to the tv network and its stars, and sometimes, the threats take the form of criminal masterminds and/or super villains. In the pilot, Jack dons a scary "Creeper" costume to attend a costume party, where he finds a kidnapped scientist. Before the scientist dies, he injects Jack with a serum that provides enhanced strength and speed. He also implants a device within Jack's skin that allows Jack to automatically change from his Creeper costume to civilian clothes. Jack adds some play acting to spook criminals, and soon, he’s a scary, unnerving hero who practically makes the Batman look warm and fuzzy. As you can see, some considerable suspension of disbelief is required, but as someone who’s read a lot of super hero comics, I was willing to just go with it.
The Creeper contains elements of previous Ditko works. Typical of Ditko heroes (Spider-Man and the Question come immediately to mind.), the Creeper is an oddball loner. Like Spider-Man, he’s wanted by the police and not trusted by the public. Like the Question, he’s as formidable in his civilian identity as in his super heroic one, and he fights crime in both. Like Captain Atom, he wears an invisible costume that he can summon at will. The original series includes a recurring behind-the-scenes mastermind, a hallmark of every Ditko Silver Age Marvel run (In Spider-Man, the recurring mastermind was the Green Goblin. In Dr. Strange, it was Dormammu. In the Hulk, it was the Leader.). The mastermind is a shape changer known as Proteus, a character very similar to the Spider-Man villain the Chameleon.
The familiarity is something of a mixed blessing. On the one hand, I recognized and appreciated the Ditko trademarks. On the other hand…I felt that I didn’t really see anything in Ditko’s Creeper that I hadn’t seen before. Over all, I’d say that this volume was enjoyable, but I will concede that it's hardly essential reading.
The volume begins with the “pilot episode” from SHOWCASE #73 (1968), which directly leads in to the 1968-1969 CREEPER series. Then, we have a 1975 “one shot” from FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL #7, the 1977-1978 Creeper back-up stories from WORLD’S FINEST COMICS and the never-published SHOWCASE #106 from circa 1977. The never-published SHOWCASE issue coincides with the WORLD’S FINEST series, so we’re essentially talking about two series and a one-shot.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, the original series – including the “pilot” from SHOWCASE #73 – is the best of these. Denny O’Neil, sometimes writing as “Sergius O’ Shaugnessy,” provides dialogue and apparently some plotting. O’Neil’s liberal politics would seem in opposition to Ditko’s Randian views, but the Creeper isn’t overtly political, and here, Ditko and O’Neil prove a good pairing. I do wonder if Ditko didn’t wince over some O’Neil dialogue where the Creeper states that he can’t let criminals die, but…that aside, the initial Creeper series developed nicely into a gritty crime comic, with some ongoing mysteries. It’s a pity that it didn’t run longer.
The 1975 one-shot, on the other hand, is pretty forgettable, so I’ll forget it and skip to the 1977-1978 series. This time, Ditko writes and draws the whole package, and while this second series isn’t as good as the first, there’s certainly some fun to be had. To be fair, Ditko only had eight pages per issue, so there’s less room for sub-plots and character development. For the most part, these are mostly agreeable, tightly plotted one-offs, and Ditko does add new supporting characters. Once again, he largely leaves the Randian philosophy behind and even injects some humor now and then.
I seem to be working a little backwards, since I haven’t said much about the Creeper himself. For the record, the Creeper is secretly Jack Ryder, who works security for a major television network (In the original series, the Creeper’s city of residence isn’t named, but in later stories, it’s clearly identified as Gotham City.). You’d think that this kind of day job would be dull, but….no. Really, Ryder’s a detective who investigates various threats to the tv network and its stars, and sometimes, the threats take the form of criminal masterminds and/or super villains. In the pilot, Jack dons a scary "Creeper" costume to attend a costume party, where he finds a kidnapped scientist. Before the scientist dies, he injects Jack with a serum that provides enhanced strength and speed. He also implants a device within Jack's skin that allows Jack to automatically change from his Creeper costume to civilian clothes. Jack adds some play acting to spook criminals, and soon, he’s a scary, unnerving hero who practically makes the Batman look warm and fuzzy. As you can see, some considerable suspension of disbelief is required, but as someone who’s read a lot of super hero comics, I was willing to just go with it.
The Creeper contains elements of previous Ditko works. Typical of Ditko heroes (Spider-Man and the Question come immediately to mind.), the Creeper is an oddball loner. Like Spider-Man, he’s wanted by the police and not trusted by the public. Like the Question, he’s as formidable in his civilian identity as in his super heroic one, and he fights crime in both. Like Captain Atom, he wears an invisible costume that he can summon at will. The original series includes a recurring behind-the-scenes mastermind, a hallmark of every Ditko Silver Age Marvel run (In Spider-Man, the recurring mastermind was the Green Goblin. In Dr. Strange, it was Dormammu. In the Hulk, it was the Leader.). The mastermind is a shape changer known as Proteus, a character very similar to the Spider-Man villain the Chameleon.
The familiarity is something of a mixed blessing. On the one hand, I recognized and appreciated the Ditko trademarks. On the other hand…I felt that I didn’t really see anything in Ditko’s Creeper that I hadn’t seen before. Over all, I’d say that this volume was enjoyable, but I will concede that it's hardly essential reading.
January 2, 2013
I positively love the Creeper as a character, but I have to admit that I'm one of THOSE newer comics converts. The older forms of storytelling, especially the schlocky humor and uneven narratives, don't do it for me like the poetry of Moore and Gaiman or the action-packed scenarios of todays comics. Ditko is great, and this collection stands as a testament to that. However, and this may make me a philistine, but it didn't capture my attention completely.
January 8, 2018
Steve Ditko created the Creeper toward the end of his 1960’s hot period after bringing to life iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Captain Atom, and Hawk and Dove for Marvel, Charlton, and DC. The Creeper, also a DC contribution, was an attempt to strike a balance between macabre imagery and an urban crime milieu.
Ditko appears to have much control of the story content despite sharing writing credits with the likes of Denny O’Neil and Michael Fleischer, as can be evidenced in implicit Randian touches and grim consequences. The plots come with occasional holes and blind alleys and character motivation ranges from thin to implausible, the contribution of company pros like Fleischer and O’Neil seems to exacerbate these flaws more than alleviate them. Ditko has a singular, even crackpot sensibility, but no other writer can be as true to his vision as he can himself.
Though his drawing chops begin to fall off their peak around this time, the issues of Showcase and Beware the Creeper from the late ‘60s still show a lot of imagination, mood, and energy. The ‘70s issues comprising the character’s revival in First Issue Special and as a backup feature in World’s Finest show an artist who is rushed at best, phoning it in at worst. Considering that Ditko had found greater creative self-determination in the independent press with work such as Mr. A and Avenging World in the intervening years, work-for-hire may just have become a matter of a paycheck for him, even on his own character.
This book is great for Ditko fans and comics historians, but likely not to appeal too much to the contemporary or casual reader. Ditko newbies should start with Doctor Strange or Spider-Man for an accessible first taste.
Ditko appears to have much control of the story content despite sharing writing credits with the likes of Denny O’Neil and Michael Fleischer, as can be evidenced in implicit Randian touches and grim consequences. The plots come with occasional holes and blind alleys and character motivation ranges from thin to implausible, the contribution of company pros like Fleischer and O’Neil seems to exacerbate these flaws more than alleviate them. Ditko has a singular, even crackpot sensibility, but no other writer can be as true to his vision as he can himself.
Though his drawing chops begin to fall off their peak around this time, the issues of Showcase and Beware the Creeper from the late ‘60s still show a lot of imagination, mood, and energy. The ‘70s issues comprising the character’s revival in First Issue Special and as a backup feature in World’s Finest show an artist who is rushed at best, phoning it in at worst. Considering that Ditko had found greater creative self-determination in the independent press with work such as Mr. A and Avenging World in the intervening years, work-for-hire may just have become a matter of a paycheck for him, even on his own character.
This book is great for Ditko fans and comics historians, but likely not to appeal too much to the contemporary or casual reader. Ditko newbies should start with Doctor Strange or Spider-Man for an accessible first taste.
April 8, 2024
This was just really fun. The Creeper was a character I'd known about for years, but really didn't know any specifics about the character. For those wondering, the Creeper has a healing factor and enhanced speed and strength, similar to Wolverine. He can also materialize his costume with the touch of a button, and when he does so, he literally transforms into the Creeper, and it's not just a costume. There's more to the story, but I don't need to give it all away here.
Anyway, the stories feature some really great Ditko art, and they seemed original enough to set them apart from most comics of the time. One of the stories included in this collection was never released to the public before this collection was published, and that's a shame because it featured some of the better Steve Ditko artwork I've seen, including several two page spreads.
Overall this was a really fun read, pretty much just what I was hoping for. I'd also like to see all of the non Ditko Creeper appearances collected at some point.
Anyway, the stories feature some really great Ditko art, and they seemed original enough to set them apart from most comics of the time. One of the stories included in this collection was never released to the public before this collection was published, and that's a shame because it featured some of the better Steve Ditko artwork I've seen, including several two page spreads.
Overall this was a really fun read, pretty much just what I was hoping for. I'd also like to see all of the non Ditko Creeper appearances collected at some point.
Want to read
December 16, 2014Tomo de la Colección Clásicos DC en blanco y negro en formato reducido.
June 30, 2024
The first six issues in this book (Beware The Creeper Nos. 1-6) were mind-blowingly good. Ditko's art was even better here than his run on Amazing Spider-Man, with his action sequences ramped up to borderline ultraviolence levels, plenty of shading and atmosphere, etc. He was the plotter for this series, and early on seemed to hint that the Creeper's personality might be creeping over into Jack Ryder's. This plotline was never fully explored in this book. Pity. (Note: I just checked on Wikipedia, and other writers explored this later. Sorry, I am a Creeper "virgin".) Some of the later issues in this book, while very good, don't even come close to the greatness achieved in the first six. I guess there are lots more Creeper appearances out there. I hope that DC makes a companion to this hardcover, or a Showcase Presents phonebook at the very least.
OCD department: This book, like most of DC's modern classic material collected edition hardcovers, could really use an upgrade. The paper is very thin and the binding is glued, which doesn't help the tight gutters I had to endure while reading this book. (Note to civilians: The gutter is the white borders on the inside of either page outside of the panels. There is usually a visible white line when reading floppies, and here it is almost panel on panel.) While there are many fans out there who enjoy toilet paper thin paper and glued bindings that prevent the book from laying flat, I am not one of them. The coloring and restoration look good, though. This book is worth picking up, but the production values may underwhelm connoisseurs of high end hardcovers.
OCD department: This book, like most of DC's modern classic material collected edition hardcovers, could really use an upgrade. The paper is very thin and the binding is glued, which doesn't help the tight gutters I had to endure while reading this book. (Note to civilians: The gutter is the white borders on the inside of either page outside of the panels. There is usually a visible white line when reading floppies, and here it is almost panel on panel.) While there are many fans out there who enjoy toilet paper thin paper and glued bindings that prevent the book from laying flat, I am not one of them. The coloring and restoration look good, though. This book is worth picking up, but the production values may underwhelm connoisseurs of high end hardcovers.
December 4, 2020
Always a fan of the Creeper, but always wondered why he didn't get more stories and why so many of them weren't that good.
With some characters, you have to go back to the beginning.
The Creeper is weird, and it's very obviously the Ditko storytelling formula, but at the same time, it doesn't take itself as seriously as so many other Ditko creations. It's almost like Ditko is having fun...?
The Creeper is a weird character, great colorful design and a slightly disturbing origin.
His job situation is a weird mirror of the daily planet, if Lois and Clark hated each other and Jimmy's a knuckle head who was constantly hospitalized during his stunts.
The whole thing has an odd sense of fun, that I think a lot of writer's who followed Ditko overthought the Creeper or tried to turn him into Deadpool or Ambush Bug.
It seems to be poking fun at some comic cliches' without actually becoming satire.
Kind of reminds me of Golden Age Plastic man, a weird character, surrounded by craziness, who acts as a straight man and the humor comes from him reacting to it.
Good stuff, and much like Hawk and Dove, I now feel like I get the Creeper, after reading the original stuff.
With some characters, you have to go back to the beginning.
The Creeper is weird, and it's very obviously the Ditko storytelling formula, but at the same time, it doesn't take itself as seriously as so many other Ditko creations. It's almost like Ditko is having fun...?
The Creeper is a weird character, great colorful design and a slightly disturbing origin.
His job situation is a weird mirror of the daily planet, if Lois and Clark hated each other and Jimmy's a knuckle head who was constantly hospitalized during his stunts.
The whole thing has an odd sense of fun, that I think a lot of writer's who followed Ditko overthought the Creeper or tried to turn him into Deadpool or Ambush Bug.
It seems to be poking fun at some comic cliches' without actually becoming satire.
Kind of reminds me of Golden Age Plastic man, a weird character, surrounded by craziness, who acts as a straight man and the humor comes from him reacting to it.
Good stuff, and much like Hawk and Dove, I now feel like I get the Creeper, after reading the original stuff.
November 19, 2017
I really wanted to give this book a try. I have always liked the Creeper as a character and enjoyed a number of his comic book appearances back in the 70's in titles like The Brave and the Bold, The Joker, etc. I even owned at one time a copy of Beware the Creeper #1 from 1968. However, this collection was a bit of a letdown. I guess I have never been a huge Ditko fan, which is what this collection focuses on. I was okay with his early work on Spider-Man and Dr. Strange (two characters he co-created for Marvel) and liked his early Blue Beetle work. Here, though, I was not so much a fan. Ah well.
January 1, 2022
Never read any Creeper stuff before, so I picked up this collection with all the original Steve Ditko stories.
It’s okay. I don’t know, he’s very street level. Only fights gangsters and thugs. I guess I thought there’d be a more supernatural bend to the stories. But no. Even the Creeper is mostly an act. The guy acts crazy, and talks weird to throw off criminals. It’s not bad but not as good as I thought. Ditko’s art is fantastic throughout though.
It’s okay. I don’t know, he’s very street level. Only fights gangsters and thugs. I guess I thought there’d be a more supernatural bend to the stories. But no. Even the Creeper is mostly an act. The guy acts crazy, and talks weird to throw off criminals. It’s not bad but not as good as I thought. Ditko’s art is fantastic throughout though.
December 1, 2019
Favorites from my teen years. The stories are, eh, not great, but the art’s generally wonderful and it was a kick to read these for the first time in 30 years.
June 10, 2024
Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Colección Clásicos DC.
March 27, 2023
La loca de Espanto en blanco y negro.
January 11, 2013
This collection reprints all the Ditko Creeper stories, from his initial run and his revival as a back-up feature, and including one story never before published. It's interesting to see the dynamism and exuberant fun of the original run get cramped and reduced in the shorter back-up features, where Ditko is fairly clearly not knocking himself out any more, in contrast to the original run. The stories are competent enough but unspectacular typical superhero fare for the time.
March 14, 2015
This is a book that never really turns the corner. It just keeps chugging along at the same speed every issue. It's like every story has the same story and it's not a particularly great story.
Then halfway through, there's a reboot. It gets a little better, but not by much. Jack Ryder is a real jerk. It's not particularly fun. The Creeper has great visual design, but virtually nothing else about the character is interesting.
Then halfway through, there's a reboot. It gets a little better, but not by much. Jack Ryder is a real jerk. It's not particularly fun. The Creeper has great visual design, but virtually nothing else about the character is interesting.
June 2, 2011
I don't think I understand the Creeper. He allegedly scares the villains, but he looks like a clown? And his secret identity is basically Peter Parker, because he works for a TV station that publicly denounces the Creeper as a menace? And every comic ends like an episode of Scooby-Doo, where the villain's mask is removed and it was just Old Man Jones the whole time?
I just don't get it.
I just don't get it.
January 21, 2013
I gave up after three arcs. I just couldn't go on. The Creeper is absurd without being funny. It features boring artwork from Ditko – nothing like the psychedelic explosion of imagination displayed in his best work. The concept is silly, and it is recycled in part from Spider-Man. Ugly design. Awful dialogue. Idiotic characters. Simplistic plotting.
May 17, 2012
The Creeper was always one of my favorite DC characters, and I think Steve Ditko's best post–Spider-Man creation. He's always been at his best when drawing weird heroes, and this collection is worth tracking down for his art alone. Highly recommended!
November 8, 2010
Ditko is one of the all time philosophical dimwits, but as an creator he ruled. The Creeper is amazing.
December 20, 2013
enjoyable and goofy
November 1, 2019
Edición española que contiene todo el Creeper de Steve Ditko, en edición blanco y negro en formato reducido.
February 15, 2016
Nice collection of this mostly forgotten 1970s character. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews