The world says goodbye to one of the last names of the golden age of comics with the death of John Romita, legendary artist of Spider-Man
Very few designers achieve the status of mingling with such an iconic character as Spider-Man. And only one has transformed his features into an eternal reference for the most popular comic book hero in the world: the legendary John Romita Sr., one of the last names of the golden age of comics, who passed away this Wednesday (14 ), at the age of 93.
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John Romita was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan in 1947. While still testing his style for Famous Funnies magazine, while working at a lithography company, the artist drew started doing some small jobs for the publisher that would be wonder Comics Years Later.
It wasn’t until the early 1950s, after Romita had spent some time in the military, that he became convinced Stan Lee to offer important work, with the relaunch of Captain America, in 1953. However, shortly after, due to a crisis in the company, he moved to DC Comics, where he became famous for playing beautiful women – at that time, the cartoonist he clashed with the publisher, who insisted on casting him for romance comics, and began to devote most of his time to advertising illustrations.
It was then that Marvel took advantage of the author’s dissatisfaction with DC and brought him back, this time to make history, as a regular Daredevil artist, then with the character that would bring him stardom: Romita replaced none other than the co-creator of Spider-Man, Steve Ditko, in the monthly title Incredible Spider-Manstarting in 1966.
What makes John Romita’s Spider-Man so legendary?
Steve Ditko was the one who came up with Spider-Man’s design, however, it was John Romita’s changes and updates that solidified a classic look for the hero, something that remains a reference for any artist to this day. including his son, John Romita Jr., who drew the Wall-Scrambler in various stages and is the current artist on the monthly title Amazing Spider-Man.
It was with Romita that Peter Parker went from being just the thin, nerdy teenager to a more handsome, leaner young adult; the artist helped modernize the hero’s appearance in a way that is still accepted today. Furthermore, it was he who drew exuberant women into the Wall Climber’s life, such as his mesmerizing Gwen Stacy and his no less glamorous Mary Jane Watson.
This update helped Marvel push the boundaries of child and teen readership, expanding the audience to the effervescent youth of the 1970s. Romita’s Spider-Man storytelling, movements, and expressions also made him a more thoughtful and complex hero. . His design was so successful that all of the company’s merchandising involving the Wall Climber began to be based on Romita’s traits.
Romita was in the prime of development on the character, and helped build it into an all-time hit, including the famous issue where Peter Parker ceases to be Spider-Man, in Amazing Spider-Man #50. Even after his tenure as an artist ended, he continued to write, ink, and, in 1972, became art director of Marvel, a position he held for 30 years at the company.
In addition to drawing other famous characters, such as the Punisher, he has also dedicated himself to teaching and supporting his son, John Romita Jr., which can be considered another name forever linked to the trajectory of Spider-Man.
John Romita was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2002.
Artists say hello to John Romita on Twitter
According to his son, fellow Wall Climber illustrator John Romita Jr., his father died of natural causes, in his sleep. The confirmation came via a post on Twitter. “I say this with a heavy heart, my father passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is a legend in the art world and it would be an honor to follow in his footsteps. Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for me. compare family He was the greatest man I ever knew.
I say this with a heavy heart, my father died peacefully in his sleep. He is a legend in the art world and it would be an honor for me to follow in his footsteps. Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family.
He was the biggest man I ever met. pic.twitter.com/Pe2K3ywbWX
— John Romita JR (@JrRomita) June 14, 2023
Director James Gunn, who preceded Guardians of the Galaxy at Marvel Studios and recently took over DC Films, also left a touching remembrance in his microblog message. I’m sorry to hear that the great comic book artist John Romita Sr. passed away at the age of 93. My brother and I wrote to Romita Sr. when we were kids and sent him drawings of the superheroes we were working on. He replied, telling us what he liked about the drawings! A very memorable experience in my life, that made me feel like the comic book magic that seemed so supernatural was not so far away. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”
I am sad to hear of the passing of great comic book artist John Romita Sr at the age of 93. My brother and I wrote Mr. Romita when we were kids and he’d send him drawings of the superheroes we were working on. He responded by telling us what he liked about the drawings! Truly… pic.twitter.com/VV1slBPmwH
—James Gunn (@JamesGunn) June 14, 2023
Marvel Entertainment left the acknowledgment, saying “John Romita Sr. was a pillar of the Marvel Universe, and his talents have defined decades of Marvel’s best-known characters and stories. The Marvel family has lost one of its legends and we mourn the loss.” of a creative giant. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones.”
Giovanni Romita Sr. was a pillar of the Marvel Universe, and his talents defined decades of Marvel’s most popular stories and characters. The Marvel family has lost one of its legends and we mourn the loss of a creative giant. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Wj0I7TPuNs
—Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) June 14, 2023
Paul Dini, famous for writing the popular Batman Animated in the 90s, made sure to make it clear that “he was the greatest.”
RIP John Romita Sr. The greatest. pic.twitter.com/LsQ1GlL46Z
— Paolo_Dini (@Paolo_Dini) June 14, 2023
And Jim Lee, an artist who had success with the X-Men and is currently the art director of DC Comics, also left a memory for the legend, on the wall of Romita Jr., with whom he was a colleague at Marvel. “John – needless to say his father was an amazing and talented designer and artist who inspired and entertained so many generations of fans and creators. But to me he was so much more. His father was just an amazing role model whose insightful words . ..”
John, it goes without saying that your father was an amazing and very talented draftsman and artist who inspired and entertained so many generations of fans and creators. But to me he was more than that. Your father was just an incredible role model whose insightful words… https://t.co/oemxd7Qguz
—JimLee (@JimLee) June 14, 2023
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
