Marvel's Spider-Man Artist John Romita, Sr. Of LI Dies At 93

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Marvel Comics artist John Romita, Sr., who co-created iconic characters like Spider-Man's Mary Jane Watson, Wolverine, and the Punisher, died Tuesday, according to his son. He was 93.

In a post on Twitter, his son, John Romita, Jr., made the announcement early Wednesday, writing that it was with "heavy heart."

"My father passed away peacefully in his sleep," he wrote earlier today. "He is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps. Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family."

"He was the greatest man I ever met," he concluded.

Romita Jr. lives in Port Jefferson, according to Newsday. Romita Sr. reportedly lived in Bellerose Terrace.

The Brooklyn-born U.S. Army veteran began a five-year run in 1966 working with the legendary Stan Lee, Marvel's editor-in-chief on "The Amazing Spider-Man" having taken over for Steve Ditko, who left after a disagreement with Lee, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He co-created the character of Watson, who is the long-time romantic interest of Spider-man, and the crime boss, Kingpin, during Spider-man's meteoric rise as the face of Marvel, the outlet reported.

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He was promoted to Marvel’s art director, and later contributed to the design of characters like Luke Cage, the Punisher, and Wolverine, while undertaking artwork for numerous titles, including the iconic cover of The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 21 in 1987, in which Spider-Man's alter ego of Peter Parker and Watson get married, according to the outlet.

Jim Salicrup, a former Spider-Man editor who wrote the children's title "Spidey Super Stories," which Romita drew, told Newsday that the artist drew "handsome heroes, beautiful women, supporting characters full of personality, rough and tough villains, all in great costumes, perfectly lit and expertly directed for full dramatic impact."

"But despite his awesome talent, he was the humblest and nicest guy you'd ever want to meet," he said.

Romita is survived by his sons, John Jr. and Victor, the outlet reported.