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Title: The SAFEST PLACE (No Number) * Steve Ditko Collection
Place Published:
Publisher:Image
Date Published: 2008
Description: CGC certified: VF+ (8.5). White pages. Grader notes: "Crease left top of back cover; multiple spine stress lines spine." STEVE DITKO COLLECTION. CGC-certified as Steve Ditko's personal copy, and with a certificate of authenticity signed by Patrick Ditko, Steve Ditko's nephew. Not cleaned and pressed in order to preserve all traces of Steve Ditko's handling. Credits: Cover: Steve Ditko. Scripts: Steve Ditko. Art: Steve Ditko. GPAnalysis: No reported sales in any grade. Ditko Collection Census: This is the only certified Steve Ditko Collection copy.The Safest Place, an espionage caper set in an unspecified Eastern European nation, is one of Ditko's strongest late-period works. In this tightly focused, well-paced one-shot, Ditko largely avoids the exposition-heavy philosophy dumps that mar many of his later pieces, instead allowing his character's inner monologues to show how life under an oppressive regime induces paranoia and moral cowardice. While we're on the topics of Ditko and safe spaces, let's consider the artist's own Sanctum Sanctorum, his longtime studio at 200 W. 51st Street, Apt. 715, NYC. Contrary to the widespread notion of the artist as a hermitic recluse hiding out in a dank and secret lair, Ditko's studio address and phone number were listed in the NYC directory for years, and pretty much any fan who sent him a polite letter was sure to receive a reply. It's true that most of the fans who dared to show up uninvited and knock on Ditko's door were summarily turned away – but what privacy-loving New Yorker wouldn't repel uninvited gate-crashers? One of the few uninvited pilgrims to visit Ditko and find him in a welcoming mood was Cerebus creator Dave Sim, who described the artist's residence as "well-maintained, modern and clean," and said that Ditko himself was anything but a disheveled, misanthropic weirdo living in lonesome squalor: "I have to say that Steve is the best-dressed, best-groomed octogenarian in whose company I have ever spent time. He even edges out Will Eisner in that category (which is really saying something if you know how well-dressed and well-groomed Will was!). Steve's environment and Steve's appearance were, to me, at striking variance with what has been presented to Ditko fandom over the years. I also found him gracious, hospitable, engaging and extremely patient... and sharp as a tack. Just for the record." – Dave Sim, Ditkomania #91, June 2013.***************************** Enjoying the Ditko Sale? Order a fully-illustrated softcover catalogue for 30 bucks or a limited edition hardcover for $200. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with bon mots, obscure facts, esoteric lore. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact [email protected]. Consign to PBA Galleries. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Our sell-thru rate is 98%, and our research-intensive catalogues are the best in the biz. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of funnybook fiends. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." – R. Crumb. Send inquiries to [email protected]. Coming soon: The DC Universe Collection Part 4: SUPERMAN, featuring every issue of Superman from #1 through the modern era. Contact [email protected] to get on the notifications list.

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