Auctions: comic books published by Comic Art

Mr. A (1973 Steve Ditko) "H" Hero Series D1A CGC 5.0

Paper: White

Label #4551926013

Mr. A is the first in a series of quarterly magazines, each of which was written and drawn entirely by Steve Ditko, without any editorial direction. Somewhat controversial, Mr. A was inspired by Ditko's interest in Ayn Rand's writings. A superhero who espoused an objectivist philosophy, his symbol was a card which was half black and half white representing good and evil, as stated in the comic- "White and Black is Mr. A's symbol of justice: of non-contradictory identification; good is good and evil is evil and neither can be both at the same time. Each is the antithesis of the other! So, if the good is to survive, no compromise with evil is possible!"

While Ditko famously eschewed the nostalgia that influences most (if not all) collecting, Mr. A was the exception for the artist as he once said "He's one character from the past that I'd like to see in the present and the future." Reactions from fans and critics upon release were mixed, though the character did inspire a legacy as Alan Moore used Mr. A as direct inspiration for the character of Rorchach (alongside The Question) in Watchmen. 40 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.50.