Gerry Conway, Marvel Comics Writer Who Created Punisher, Ms. Marvel and More, Dies at 73
Gerry Conway, a writer for Marvel Comics who created the Punisher and other famous characters, has died, Marvel announced Monday. He was 73.
“Gerry Conway was a gifted writer. He was thoughtful, deeply attuned to the emotional and moral core of storytelling, and a wonderful and articulate advocate for comics and creators. His writing has inspired all of us at Marvel, and will continue to inspire generations of writers, readers and fans to come,” said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Comics and Franchise, in a statement.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on September 10, 1952, Conway began publishing comics at 16 and started writing full superhero stories for Marvel in 1971. He brought horror elements to Marvel and created Man Thing, Werewolf by Night and Marvel’s own take on Dracula. Marvel Studios debuted its own black-and-white, Halloween-inspired “Werewolf by Night” special, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and a CGI Man Thing.
Frank Castle, aka the gun-toting anti-hero Punisher, debuted in a 1963 issue of “The Amazing Spider-Man” by Conway, John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru. Conway gave Punisher his tragic, blood-soaked backstory that sent the character on a revenge quest for his family. Dolph Lundgren first brought the comic book character to life on screen in a 1989 movie, followed by Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson in two standalone 2000s movies, but Jon Bernthal has had the most popular portrayal. Bernthal first starred in Season 2 of Netflix’s “Daredevil” series before headlining his own M-rated “Punisher” show. He then reappeared in Disney+’s “Daredevil: Born Again” and will star in his own TV special, titled “Punisher: One Last Kill” and this summer’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
“Gerry Conway was a gifted writer. He was thoughtful, deeply attuned to the emotional and moral core of storytelling, and a wonderful and articulate advocate for comics and creators. His writing has inspired all of us at Marvel, and will continue to inspire generations of writers, readers and fans to come,” said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Comics and Franchise, in a statement.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on September 10, 1952, Conway began publishing comics at 16 and started writing full superhero stories for Marvel in 1971. He brought horror elements to Marvel and created Man Thing, Werewolf by Night and Marvel’s own take on Dracula. Marvel Studios debuted its own black-and-white, Halloween-inspired “Werewolf by Night” special, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and a CGI Man Thing.
Frank Castle, aka the gun-toting anti-hero Punisher, debuted in a 1963 issue of “The Amazing Spider-Man” by Conway, John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru. Conway gave Punisher his tragic, blood-soaked backstory that sent the character on a revenge quest for his family. Dolph Lundgren first brought the comic book character to life on screen in a 1989 movie, followed by Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson in two standalone 2000s movies, but Jon Bernthal has had the most popular portrayal. Bernthal first starred in Season 2 of Netflix’s “Daredevil” series before headlining his own M-rated “Punisher” show. He then reappeared in Disney+’s “Daredevil: Born Again” and will star in his own TV special, titled “Punisher: One Last Kill” and this summer’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”