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Comic Legend Gerry Conway, Spider-Man Icon, Dies at 73

4/28/2026

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Summary

Gerry Conway Dies

Comic writer Gerry Conway died on April 27, 2026, at age 73.
Dan Buckley and Kevin Feige praised Conway, who began writing at 16 with a DC story and took over The Amazing Spider-Man at 19.
He wrote the “Night Gwen Stacy Died” arc and introduced the Punisher in issue #129.
He wrote for TV, co-wrote Fire and Ice and Conan the Destroyer, and is survived by wife Laura and two daughters.

Summary

Conway Beats Cancer

Conway disclosed a 2022 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and said he beat the disease in 2023.
In a 2025 interview he called law-enforcement officers who use the Punisher’s skull logo “self-righteous jerks.”
He co-created DC villain Killer Croc while writing Batman stories.
His Punisher work will appear in the MCU film *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, scheduled for July 31 release.
He also wrote episodes for *Matlock* and the *Law & Order* franchise.

History

Historical Context

In February 1974 Marvel Comics released the 19-page Amazing Spider-Man #129, written by 19-year-old Gerry Conway, introducing the Punisher as a lethal antagonist and also debuting the Jackal. The gritty anti-hero resonated with readers, spawning solo titles in the 1980s and cementing the anti-hero trend that shapes today’s Marvel cinematic franchise adaptations.

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Gerry Conway Dies

Comic writer Gerry Conway died on April 27, 2026, at age 73.
Dan Buckley and Kevin Feige praised Conway, who began writing at 16 with a DC story and took over The Amazing Spider-Man at 19.
He wrote the “Night Gwen Stacy Died” arc and introduced the Punisher in issue #129.
He wrote for TV, co-wrote Fire and Ice and Conan the Destroyer, and is survived by wife Laura and two daughters.

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