Gerry Conway, Legendary Comic Writer Behind The Punisher and Ms. Marvel, Passes Away at 73

Gerry Conway, the iconic comic book writer who shaped Marvel and DC universes by creating characters like The Punisher, Ms. Marvel, Robin, and Firestorm, has died at the age of 73. Marvel Comics announced the news on April 27, 2026, via their official social media accounts.

"On behalf of his family, we are sad to share that Gerry Conway has passed away. 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’s career began in 1969 at the age of 16, when he published his first comic story, "Aaron Philips’ Photo Finish", in DC Comics’ horror anthology House of Secrets #81. He quickly established himself as a prolific writer in horror comics for both DC and Marvel before transitioning to superhero narratives.

Early Career and Breakthrough at Marvel

At just 19 years old, Conway took over as the writer for The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel’s flagship series. During his tenure, he co-created Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher, with artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The character debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974) and later became a cultural icon, inspiring numerous adaptations in film, television, and video games.

This summer, actor Jon Bernthal will return as The Punisher in the Disney+ special The Punisher: One Last Kill and make his cinematic debut in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The Night Gwen Stacy Died: A Defining Moment in Comics

Conway’s run on The Amazing Spider-Man also featured one of the most influential storylines in comic book history: "The Night Gwen Stacy Died". Published in The Amazing Spider-Man #121–122 (June–July 1973), the story was co-written by Conway with art by Gil Kane and John Romita. In the plot, the Green Goblin abducts Spider-Man’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and throws her off the George Washington Bridge. Though Spider-Man catches her with his webbing, she dies from whiplash. This landmark event is widely credited with ending the Silver Age of Comics and ushering in the darker Bronze Age.

Legacy at DC Comics: Robin, Firestorm, and More

Conway’s contributions extended to DC Comics, where he introduced several iconic characters. In Batman #357 (March 1983), he debuted the second Robin, Jason Todd, with artists Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala. He also created Firestorm, a superhero with his own title, and co-created the villain Killer Croc in Detective Comics #523 (February 1983), featuring art by Newton and Gene Colan.