Gerry Conway, the comic book writer who co-created the Punisher and wrote the iconic 'The Night Gwen Stacy Died,' has passed away at 73. Conway died on 27 April 2026, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Early Life and Career
Born on 10 September 1952 in Brooklyn, New York, Conway grew up immersed in comics and movies. His first published writing was a fan letter in The Fantastic Four at age 13. He soon began visiting the offices of Marvel and DC Comics, eventually writing short stories for DC's House of Secrets and The Phantom Stranger.
Marvel and the Punisher
In 1970, Conway moved to Marvel, where he scripted Ka-Zar and Daredevil. At just 19, he took over The Amazing Spider-Man from Stan Lee. In 1972, he wrote the classic two-issue story 'The Night Gwen Stacy Died,' where Peter Parker's girlfriend is killed by the Green Goblin. This marked a shift from the Silver Age to a darker era. Only eight months later, Conway introduced the Punisher, an ex-Marine avenging his family's murder, inspired by The Executioner and Death Wish. The Punisher became an iconic antihero.
Later Controversy and Reclamation
The Punisher later spawned three movies. Conway opposed the character's death's head symbol being used by far-right militias and police. After George Floyd's murder in 2020, he launched his own merchandise line with designs by people of color, stating the Punisher 'should be a symbol for Black Lives Matter.'
Other Creations and Work
Conway co-created Ms Marvel (later Captain Marvel), Power Girl, Firestorm, Killer Croc, and the second Robin, Jason Todd. He scripted the first major Marvel/DC crossover, Superman Versus the Amazing Spider-Man in 1976, and briefly served as Marvel's editor-in-chief. He also wrote for Star Trek strips, co-wrote Conan the Destroyer, and worked on TV shows like Diagnosis Murder, Law & Order, and Batman: The Animated Series.
Personal Life and Legacy
Conway was twice divorced. He is survived by his third wife, Laura Van Scotter, and daughters Cara and Rachel. In 2026, he was posthumously inducted into the Will Eisner Comics Hall of Fame. Conway's contributions reshaped comics, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
