The first in depth biography of comics legend Steve Ditko, in his own words, is now available in Hermes Press’ Eisner Award-nominated Ditko Shrugged: The Uncompromising Life of the Artist Behind Spider-Man.

Taken from years of correspondence with author David Currie and endorsed by the Ditko family, and including a foreword by Mark S. Ditko, the book examines the last of a generation of American comic book artists who created powerful modern-day mythology and became among the most influential and original creators of the 20th century. He co-created Spider-Man along with Stan Lee, but walked away from the character in the 1960s just as it was gaining popularity. He died alone at 90, known to the comic book industry as a “cranky recluse.”

Through Ditko’s history, the stories of other artists from the same period are examined, from Jack Kirby to Wallace Wood, and how they all fell afoul of a system stacked against them.

In his foreword, Mark S. Ditko writes: “I’m very happy to say that this is a really great book. David, and his correspondence with my uncle and others, uncovered and documented things that would otherwise have been left unknown or subject to complete speculation …if ever even considered. Note that my role in the review of this book was mainly about my uncle’s personal life as we know it and not necessarily his professional career. But David clearly has a good grasp on that aspect of him.”