It's always sad when a comic book icon leaves us. It’s harder when it’s someone who had an influence on both Marvel and DC Comics. That someone today is Gerry Conway.
The legendary writer was confirmed to have passed away Monday, April 27, at the age of 73. No cause of death has been revealed, although Conway confirmed he’d been battling cancer in 2024.
To look at Conway’s legacy in comics is to see one of the key figures of the 1970s and ‘80s. His most notable work may be his run on writing The Amazing Spider-Man from 1972 to 1975. That included the iconic death of Gwen Stacy storyline, introducing Spider-Clone Ben Reilly, and, most importantly, co-creating the Punisher.
Conway also wrote Iron Man, Fantastic Four and other titles while helping create characters such as Man-Thing, Marvel’s Dracula, Werewolf by Night and transforming Carol Danvers into Ms. Marvel. He had a month-and-a-half stint as Marvel editor-in-chief in 1976. His last major work for Marvel was plotting 2023’s What If…Dark: Spider-Gwen, an alternate take on the death of Gwen.
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. pic.twitter.com/jwUgdSdvnt
— Marvel Comics (@MarvelComicsHQ) April 27, 2026
If he were only being judged by his Marvel work alone, Conway would be well remembered. However, his tenure at DC Comics was just as vital to the industry. He helped create Power Girl, Killer Croc, and the future Robin, Jason Todd. His numerous titles included an eight-year stint on Justice League of America, which included the controversial “Detroit Era” for the title.
Perhaps most notably of all, Conway wrote the first-ever Marvel-DC crossover with 1976’s Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man special. He was also going to write the original JLA/Avengers crossover in 1983 before that project was canceled. Thanks to not having an exclusive contract, Conway could have his name on ten titles across DC and Marvel in the same month.
Obviously, tributes have been pouring in from various comic book luminaries. Marvel’s website has an extensive tribute up for Conway with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige in particular pointing out how much of the MCU is based on Conway’s work.
“Gerry Conway brought real stakes to his writing, able to weave together sensational super heroics with the human and relatable, and in doing so created some of the most memorable stories and characters of all time. His writing has been hugely impactful across our comics, but it has also inspired so much of what we’ve done on screen, from Werewolf by Night to Daredevil to Spider-Man and Punisher. Gerry was a wonderful collaborator and friend to so many and will be dearly missed."
Conway was an incredible talent in his era, a writer who could be as compelling on a single hero like Batman or Iron Man while crafting team dynamics with the Avengers or JLA. He mixed top action with good humor while able to deliver drama or even horror, too. It’s rare one man can make such a mark with both DC and Marvel but Conway did, and his loss is a tough one for all comic book fans.
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