Gerry Conway, Punisher Creator, Dies at 73

Gerry Conway, the acclaimed comic book writer who created iconic characters like the Punisher and Ms. Marvel and penned the landmark Spider-Man story "The Night Gwen Stacy Died," has died at age 73.

Marvel Comics announced Conway's death on social media, though no cause or date was disclosed. He is survived by his wife, Laura Conway. Born on September 10, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York, Conway began his career as a teenager, selling stories to DC and Marvel Comics before landing his first professional gig at age 20 on Marvel's Astonishing Tales #3 featuring Ka-Zar.

Conway quickly rose to prominence at Marvel, writing major titles including Daredevil, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Tomb of Dracula, and Werewolf by Night. He relocated Daredevil to San Francisco and paired the hero with Black Widow. His extensive run on The Amazing Spider-Man from issues #111 to #149 introduced characters such as the Jackal, Hammerhead, Tarantula, Tombstone, and Ben Reilly, Spider-Man's clone. The issue #121 storyline, in which Gwen Stacy dies at the Green Goblin's hands, marked a turning point for the character, introducing lasting emotional stakes and paving the way for Harry Osborn to become the...