The Magazine of News and Criticism. In this issue: The Journal is proud to present a comprehensive look at the work of enigmatic genius Steve Ditko! A massive suite of essays from our Utne Award-winning critics will cover Ditko's 50 years of work, from his early ghost stories to his Marvel monsters, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange, through his later DC and Charlton comics, to Mr. A and his current politically maverick independent work -- and explore the nooks and crannies of what makes Ditko a vital, important figure in our medium's history. Plus: panel chat with Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) and Craig Thompson (Goodbye Chunky Rice, Blankets). Mature Readers.

News
Newswatch (p. 23)
Letters
Blood and Thunder (p. 5)
Interviews
The Thompson/Hernandez Panel (p. 81)
Essays
Rich Kreiner and Gabriel Carras, "Critical Focus: Chosen People Funnies" (p. 59)
Bill Randall, Larry Rodman, Craig Fischer, Mariko Wood, Donald Phelps, Jonathan Hastings, Rich Kreiner, Greg Cwiklik, R. Fiore, "Steve Ditko" (p. 89)
Reviews
Tom Spurgeon, "T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives Volume 1" (p. 40)
Darcy Sullivan, "Little Lit 3: It Was a Dark and Silly Night" (p. 41)
Bill Randall, "Reflections and Shadows" (p. 42)
Ng Suat Tong, "Paul Has a Summer Job" (p. 43)
Tom Spurgeon, "In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe" (p. 45)
Craig Fischer, "Visual Storytelling: The Art and Technique" (p. 46)
Tom Spurgeon, "The Ride Together: A Brother and Sister's Memoir of Autism in the Family" (p. 48)
Rich Kreiner, "Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth" (p. 50)
Alan Jacobson, "The Cat on a Hot Thin Groove" (p. 52)
Tom Crippen, "Queen and Country" (p. 54)
Tom Spurgeon, "The World According to Sempe" (p. 56)
Tim O'Neill, "The Filth #1-13" (p. 57)
Bullet Reviews (p. 64)
Columns
Minimalism (p. 69)
Lost in Translation (p. 73)
Speaking in Tongues (p. 77)
Comicopia (p. 121)