Spider-Man loses a father: John Romita Sr. passes at 93, leaving a web of legacy (news).

John Romita Sr., Marvel’s master illustrator and the man who gave Wolverine his claws and Spider-Man his iconic good looks, has spun his last web at the ripe old age of 93. Best known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and co-creating characters like Mary Jane Watson and the Punisher, Romita Sr. fell asleep in his own panel for the final time, dying of natural causes.

John Romita Jr., his son and heir to the Romita art dynasty, confirmed the news on Twitter. His statement carried the weight of a thousand penciled panels, “My father … is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps.” If we could see the thought bubbles above our heads, they would be filled with condolences and a shared loss for a great man and a tremendous talent.

John Sr.’s career began in 1949 when he slipped on his art gloves as a ghost artist for Timely Comics, Marvel’s spirited predecessor. His relationship with Stan Lee started there, and that’s where our beloved Marvel Universe began to take shape. But it wasn’t all superhero capes and love triangles for Romita Sr., no. This artist was well-rounded, taking on horror, war, and romance comics like a comic book renaissance man.

Romita Sr. joined the Marvel team officially in 1965 and was handed the Daredevil’s horns initially. When Spider-Man’s co-creator Steve Ditko bid his farewell to Marvel, Romita Sr. was asked to fill those giant, web-spun shoes. He embraced the challenge and transformed Spider-Man’s aesthetic with a splash of romance-comic style that soon became the house style for our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

The legend of John Romita Sr. is not just about his illustrations, but also his role as a mentor and guide. After being promoted to Marvel’s art director in 1973, he didn’t just influence the look of Marvel comics; he essentially became the architect of the Marvel Universe we know and adore. His sketches not only breathed life into characters but into a whole universe of stories.

And let’s not forget that Romita Sr. is essentially the fashion designer of the superhero world. From designing the fearsome, skull-emblazoned outfit for the Punisher to introducing Natasha Romanova’s sleek and chic Black Widow ensemble, Romita Sr. proved that even superheroes need a makeover from time to time.

In an industry where creators often pass through faster than Quicksilver on a coffee binge, John Romita Sr.’s consistent hand at the helm of Marvel’s art department for more than 20 years stands as a testament to his enduring talent and legacy.

Romita Sr., with his innate ability to illustrate stories and bring characters to life, truly was a superhero in his own right. Though he’s left us for that great Bullpen in the sky, the Marvel Universe he helped shape will forever bear the mark of his masterful strokes.

To Romita Sr., we say, “Excelsior!” and “Thank you for your indelible contribution to the world of comic books.” Rest in peace, true believer.