Born in 1930 as the son of an Italian baker with one other brother and 3 sisters. He Graduated from the Manhattan School of Industrial Art in 1947. In 1949 Romita began working as a Ghost Artist (uncredited artist) for a high school friend. The work was for Timely Comics (which would evolve into Atlas and then become Marvel Comics) where he would eventually meet art director and editor in chief--Stan Lee.

Unfortunately Romita was drafter shortly there after into the US Army. He began drawing recruiting posters. And once he became a corporal he was allowed to live off-base, which is also when he married Virginia in 1952.

His biggest influences were Noel Sickles, Roy Crane, Milton Caniff, Alex Toth and Carmine Infantino. John Romita is probably best known for his work with Marvel Comics and more specifically his work on Spider-Man. Known to some of his more loyal fans as "The Amazing Romita"! He has worked on some of the most well known Spider-Man characters and covers in all of Amazing Spider-Man's history! Check out issues 39, 40, 41, 50, 55 and 75 for a few "Amazing" examples.

He had a short four issue stint with the Fantastic Four between the longer reigns of Jack Kirby and John Buscema, drawing FF issues #103-#106. However, he did a particularly nice job of drawing the Invisible Girl, especially in issues #103, #105 and #106. His page 6 of FF #106 is one of the most dramatic single pages for Sue Storm in the entire history of the Fantastic Four!

He is also the father of comic book artist John Romita Jr and husband to Virginia Romita who was the Marvel's traffic manager for many years.

Romita created and co-created characters such as the Rhino, the Vulture, Mary Jane Watson, the Punisher, Kingpin, the Wolverine and many many more.

Was inducted into the WIll Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2002.

He now dedicates much of his time along with his son to helping out those in need at the "Heroes Initiative" which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping older comic book artists out financially who are in need of assistance. It is a worthwhile cause and booths are usually set up at all conventions. But can also be made directly at their website. He is one of the members on the board of trustees alongside other comic book greats such as Dennis O'Neil.

In June 12 2023, he peacefully passed away at 93 years old due to natural causes.

http://heroinitiative.org/

Characters Created by John Romita Sr.

• Bullseye
• Luke Cage
• Firestar
• Richard Fisk
• Vanessa Fisk
• Gibbon
• Gladiator
• Hammerhead
• Human Robot
• Jonas Harrow
• Kangaroo
• Kingpin
• Albert Malik (Red Skull)
• Man Mountain Marko
• Masked Marauder
• Punisher
• Rhino
• Rose
• Satana
• Shocker
• Silvermane
• Sister Sun
• George Stacy
• Vulture
• Mary Jane Watson
• Western Kid
• Wolverine