Ditko returned to D.C. Comics in mid '75, working on THE STALKER with Wally Wood, and various projects until SHADE THE CHANGING MAN began to make its mark in mid '77. The D.C. Implosion blew out the very promising series and Ditko would dabble with oddball characters like THE DEMON and return to his THE CREEPER. Cover-dated January 1980, soon-to-be-publisher of D.C., Paul Levitz, and Ditko created 12 issues of THE STARMAN in Adventures Comics. Ten pages stories were the norm, as Starman shared space with either Plastic Man or Aquaman.

Fast forward to 2001 and I make the acquaintance of independent artist (of "Supernatural Law") BATTON LASH, and his lovely wife Jackie Estrada (Queen Of The San Diego Comic-Con and the Eisner Awards). Turns out ol' Batton has pre-inked copies of an ENTIRE Starman story from Adventure Comics #474 (8/80)! Batton and Jackie are the generous sort, and did us the honour of providing us with copies of their copies and we present to you THREE pages from that story. Just keep on clickin', folks, and you'll see all three, fascinating examples of Ditko, before Romeo Tanghal inked his work.

Click on the finished page below, or HERE to view the pre-inked page of Page 2 of the story. And please visit the www.exhibitApress.com web site to see all that Batton Lash & Jackie have to offer.