Dustin Gebel
Seminal comic book artist and art director John Romita Sr. has passed away at the age of 93.
John Romita Jr., also a famed comic book artist, confirmed the 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. Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family. He was the greatest man I ever met.”
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. Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family.
He was the greatest man I ever met. pic.twitter.com/Pe2K3ywbWX— John Romita JR (@JrRomita) June 14, 2023
Romita Sr. began his artistic career at the age of 17, providing artwork for the Manhattan General Hospital. It would only be a short two years later that he would move into comics, ghost penciling a series for then Timely Comics. This would be the foundation for his career and opened the door to drawing a variety of genres, including science fiction, war, and romance comics.
Romita would continue to draw comics after serving in the army, working on romance titles for DC, before leaving for Marvel in 1965. Romita provided inks for Avengers #23 and then penciled Daredevil starting with issue #12. After these roles, Romita took over artist duties on The Amazing Spider-Man after Steve Ditko left the title. His work on the title would define the look of Spider-Man for generations to come and solidify the enduring quality of the character.
Romita also contributed to the roster of characters at Marvel during his Spider-Man run through his time as art director of the company starting in 1973. Characters like Mary Jane Watson, Kingpin, the Punisher, Wolverine, and Bullseye would be just a few designs that Romita helped to bring to life. Romita would still provide art and covers during his time in the role, maybe none more famous than the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 which saw Peter Parker finally marrying Mary Jane Watson.
Romita would retire from Marvel in 1996 but continued to contribute art over the years. His art would appear, oftentimes alongside his son’s work, in landmark issues like 2003’s Daredevil #50 and Spider-Man #500. Romita was inducted into the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame in 2002 as well.
Romita is survived by his wife Virginia, and his sons John and Victor.