I recall reading Ditko’s Creeper when the stories were first published in 1968. The Creeper was my favorite as he was a natural product of the 1960′s – a young man who lived out his post-war liberal values, rejecting the petty conservatism of his employers, sponsors etc. and using whatever powers he had to maintain those liberal values in the positive construction of a just society. The Creeper’s dramatic theatricality arose from his extreme reaction to his extreme circumstances. He was given the choice of slavish conformity to petty corruption or dismissal from his employment, with his decision to opt for the ‘crazy impracticality’ of the latter alternative naturally generating his assumed ‘antic disposition’ of mocking laughter and manic physical activity.
Ditko’s Creeper thus represented the last positive 60′s attempt at social integration. He did not reject society, he sought to positively help in its continuing construction, even though he had become subject to social rejection.
There is no reason why the original Creeper concept could not be continued. From the 70′s until today people have continued to hold and pursue liberal values, following alternative occupations and lifestyles, so that Jack Ryder could be realistically portrayed as a freelance writer/consultant for alternative values and lifestyle with occasional work for the security services etc. where his manic episodes of crusading liberalism protect and further the construction of peace and democracy. The post 60′s representations of the Creeper are unsatisfactory because they include the negative rejection of the Creeper’s raison d’etre by actually portraying him as a ‘madman’.

On a personal note, comments about loving a ‘chance’ to write the character are a bit odd. It sort of brings the column down to a fanboy level – well more of a fan boy level than it has by definition of ‘reasons to love comics’.

Also I believethe Creeper was also in a Brave and Bold team up with Batman, but that could just be wishfukl thinking

Since the World’s Finest issues are only back ups (8 pagers?), this would make a perfect size volume for the DC ARCHIVES format…

So c’mon DC!
Whaddayasay???

I’d make Jack Ryder a flaming liberal who has to take a job as an ultra-conservative radio talk show host. By night, the Creeper fights the crime and corruption of the very fatcats who think he is their staunchest defender.
I’d play up the whole “is-he-or-isn’t-he-crazy” Hamlet thing.

I absolutely love that wild, whacky, thrift-store costume.

Now, if we could get a DC Direct Creeper figure. Or better yet, a more poseable Mattel one.

I can’t remember if Steve Ditko was the artist of this series or not, but it was downright creepy.

My first exposure was post Ditko–but it was not a surprise to find out Ditko created him.