Marvel icon John Romita Sr. dies

Last Updated on June 22, 2023

John Romita Sr., the legendary Marvel artist who worked on characters ranging from Spider-Man and Wolverine to the Punisher and Black Widow, has passed away at the age of 93.

On their official website, Marvel set up a wonderful tribute to the brilliant artist, complete with a touching drawing depicting John Romita Sr. at his desk surrounded by some of the classic characters that he worked on throughout his career. “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…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…The Marvel family has lost one of its legends, and we mourn the loss of a creative giant. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones as we remember his legacy.” Marvel also offered a small gallery of notable Spider-Man comics.

John Romita Sr. first joined Marvel in 1965, working on Deadpool for just one year before being recruited by Stan Lee himself to work on The Amazing Spider-Man. And the artist wasted no time making his mark, bringing a fresh look to the character. His contributions undoubtedly played a pivotal role in rising sales and prominence for the character. (His son is also a renowned comic book artist, working for Marvel, DC and Image.)

Many key Marvel figures also paid tribute to John Romita Sr.:

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige: “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. 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.”

Marvel Entertainment president Dan Buckley: “One of the highlights of my career was working with John Romita Sr. I couldn’t believe that my 25-year-old self was working and interacting with him, and what made it even better was that he was so considerate and kind – something that has stuck with me ever since, among many other memories with him. It was one of the rare moments where you meet one of your heroes and he exceeds your expectations in every possible way. His contributions to Marvel’s pantheon and culture are immense, and he will be sorely missed. He was a great and kind man who truly made the world a better place. My deepest condolences to Virginia, Johnny, and the Romita family.”

John Romita Sr. has played a vital role in many of our childhoods, bringing a nearly unmatched life and personality to some of the greatest comic book characters ever. While he of course slowed down in recent years, he was working into the 2010s, proving to be one of the most devoted artists to ever work in the industry.

Pay your respects to the late, great John Romita Sr. below.