Legendary Comic Writer Gerry Conway, Creator of Punisher, Dies at 73

Gerry Conway, the prolific comic book writer known for his influential work at both Marvel and DC Comics, has died at the age of 73. He passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2026, in Thousand Oaks, California.

His wife, Laura Conway, confirmed to the Associated Press that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

Marvel issued a statement on Monday, May 2, 2026, announcing the death of the writer and describing him as a legendary comic book writer with a prolific career.

The company further praised the undeniable and indelible impact Conway left on the medium through his storytelling and character development.

Conway is widely recognized for his contributions to some of the most enduring properties in the comic book industry. Among his most notable achievements was the creation of the Punisher, a character who first appeared in the Spider-Man comics.

Throughout his career, Conway worked across the two largest publishers in the United States, shaping the narratives and mythologies of characters for both Marvel and DC.