Comic book legend behind iconic Marvel and DC characters dies

A legend in the comic book world — who was behind some of Marvel and DC’s most memorable characters — has died. He was 76. 

Gerry Conway died at his home on Sunday in Thousand Oaks. His wife, Laura Conway said it was from the pancreatic cancer battle that he had been dealing with for a while, the New York Times reported.

A statement from Marvel Comics confirmed the passing of the creator responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy in 1973, and the co-creator behind one of the most beloved Marvel anti-heroes, the Punisher. 

“On behalf of his family, we are sad to share that Gerry Conway has passed away,” the post on X read. 

“Gerry was a tremendous icon in comics who shaped pop culture itself. He was a dear friend, partner, and mentor, and our hearts are with his family and the millions he touched through his work.”

Conway was born in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn on Sept. 10, 1952. He got interested in comics early on, selling his first story to Marvel at the age of 15. However, it would be years before it was published, per the report.

But that was just the beginning, and he would soon be a writer for Marvel Comics and DC Comics later that would span most of his life. 

“From Spider-Man to the Avengers, Iron Man to Captain Marvel, Gerry Conway has deftly written almost every character in the Marvel Universe,” Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski told Variety.

The post on Marvel’s social media included several incredible covers highlighting Conway’s creativity. One showed the cover of Issue No. 121 of The Amazing Spider-Man published when Conway killed off Stacy, with the message “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,”

Speaking to the Times in October, Conway explained the rationale behind killing off one of the popular supporting characters.

“There was a transition going on in the comic book field of trying to make things more real, emotionally and realistically,” Conway said. “I wanted these stories to fuel Peter’s pain.”

It was a decision the fans hated him for.

“We had readers writing in letters,” Conway said. “I was the most hated man in comic books.”

Marvel comics also shared the cover of Issue No. 129 of The Amazing Spider-Man, which involved the debut of the Punisher, a character he co-created with Ross Andru and John Romita Sr. It debuted in 1974 and fans adored him for it. 

“The Jackal has hired someone to take out Spider-Man, which puts Spidey in the crosshairs of Frank Castle, the Punisher!,” a description of the issue read.

The character’s black uniform with a giant skull emblazoned on the front has been embraced by fans for decades.

Conway’s also responsible for co-creating such iconic characters for the DC Comics world like superheroes Powergirl and Firestorm, along with writing for Justice League of America for years, per DC Film.

His final Marvel credit was in 2023, as a writer for Disney+ Marvel’s What if Series, which he wrote with Jody Houser. It involved an alternative storyline where Stacy lives and Spider-Man dies trying to save her.

Conway is survived by his wife and two daughters, from prior marriages, along with a grandson and sister.

The Post reached out to Marvel Comics for further comment.

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