(It's especially funny in this "black=cool" age thru which we are passing, that so many fans will fight for whimpy old blue just because it's been there longer.)

In Spider-Man's case, I don't think there's any way to get him black to red-and-black. The blue is too deeply ingrained in people's minds, now.

Batman, on the other hand, has had numerous recent incarnations that have featured a gray-and-black costume, and so black seems to have become a dominant color for his costume once again.

I have always tried to draw him in red and black --- and the odd thing is, I have never received a word of complaint!

JB "inking" Ditko...that's a thought!

I have always tried to draw him in red and black --- and the odd thing is, I have never received a word of complaint!

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Probably because people still thought he was supposed to be red-and-blue!

Ditko inked me once, on a MACHINE MAN cover.

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Do you get many opportunities to request a specific inker?  I'm not sure how the "norm" in the industry is set up.  I would imagine the big name guy's get more choice in the matter? 

How did you feel Ditko's ink's worked with your pencils on Machine Man(also, do you recall which issue that might be?  I only have #1 in my collection and would like to see your version).

On a somewhat related matter...

Superman wears red shorts. I don't think anybody has ever disputed that. But more often than not, artists draw the shorts with heavy black shadows. I wondered when this was first done if the intent was that the shorts were supposed to be a shiny red fabric?