John Romita Sr., the comic book artist best known for his work on “The Amazing Spider-Man” and for creating multiple Marvel Comics characters, died on June 13 in his Floral Park home. He was 93.
Romita’s son, John, who is also a comic book artist, announced his death on Twitter.
“I say this with a heavy heart, My father passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps,” John said. “Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family. He was the greatest man I ever met.”
Romita was a “creative giant” that will be missed for kindness, grace and vision, Marvel said in a statement.
“Millions came to know Marvel through his art, and millions more came to know Peter Parker through the unmistakable bold brushwork Romita brought to his pages,” Marvel said. “Known fondly to many as ‘Jazzy’ John Romita in the Marvel Bullpen, his kindness, grace, and vision will always be remembered, and his influence will continue to shape generations of artists to come at Marvel and beyond.”
Romita co-created characters the Wolverine and Punisher during his decades-long career where he worked as Marvel’s art director from 1973 to his retirement in 1996.
The Brooklyn native followed Steve Ditko as the second artist on “The Amazing Spider-Man” in 1963, a series he collaborated on with Marvel Publisher Stan Lee.
Romita’s time working on Spidey saw the introduction of his civilian love interest Mary Jane Watson and villains Rhino, the Shocker and Kingpin.
Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios and primary producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe said Romita’s work was an inspiration to all.
“John Romita Sr. was an incomparable artist who brought so many iconic Marvel characters to life on the page and set the tone and look of Marvel’s comics for decades,” Feige said in a statement. “His version of Spider-Man has inspired so many of us at Marvel Studios. Our thoughts are with his family, and the generations of artists and fans who fell in love with the characters he drew.”
Born on Jan. 24, 1930, Romita first got introduced to comic books when he met inker Lester Zakarin, a relationship that would lead to meeting Lee when he was still with Timely Comics, the company that would eventually become Marvel.
After getting drafted to the U.S. Army in 1951 where he worked as a recruitment poster artist, Romita worked for DC Comics on the company’s romance comic books before returning to Marvel in 1965.
“The impact Romita left on everyone he met at Marvel is undisputed. He was always kind and warm and served as an inspiration to all who knew him or followed his work. Romita helped build the Marvel Universe as we know it, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” Marvel said. “He meant a lot to us, and the same is true for the many fans who enjoyed his artwork. Through them, and all of you, his legacy will live on.
