OK.
Then whether saved, stolen, or a few being lost...
The vast bulk is EXTANT.
That is what I presumed.
Thanks for confirming my theory.
I guess that's good news also, that Ditko isn't chasing art and royalties, I respect his impeccable self-reliance.
I think Ditko is one of the best fantasy artists, his style is very individual.
I'm all grown-up and find it hard to read old comic books anymore.
Doctor Strange went over my head when I was 11; but recently I sailed from one story to the next esp. in the Dormammu saga... finally appealing to me as a great read, with awesome art.
(conveniently compiled in basic b+w in the budget priced Essential Doctor Strange).
Often in recent years I've agreed with friends that certain movies such as BACK FROM ETERNITY, TV shows such as Twilight Zone, etc. seem to have been influenced by Ditko endings, his existential metaphors in stories where the nightmare never ends.
Ditko was one of comix artist (R.I.P.) Jim Osborne's personal favorites too.
Jim traded me his mort files (tear sheets) from various pre-hero reprint titles such as Fantasy Masterpieces; and numerous original printings from Strange Tales of Dr. Strange stories.
I expanded the file with more pre-hero Ditko fantasy stories. Of no monetary value, it is a prized binder 4 inches thick with amazing fantasy by a true comic art genius, IMO.
I had the winning bid around 10 years ago for a complete Ditko story that went for a reasonable $1400 from Sotheby's - "Where Lurks the Ghost", from Tales To Astonish #25.
Looking at Essential Spider-Man Vol. 2, at the 20 pages of ASM #31.
Very fine graphic art, indeed magnificent.
One advantage over the previous ish: #31 only has 4 Batman TV-show style sound effects,
while #30 has at least 15 cases of onomatopoeia.
I'd like to pick up a page, but to quote the sinister-looking Webbed one from panel 7, pg. 16, ASM 31: