Gerry Conway

Gerard Francis Conway was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on September 10, 1952. He was a fan of comics from a young age. A letter from him appears in Fantastic Four #50 (May 1966), written when Conway was 13. He attended New York University for a time. ==Career==

Conway published his first professional comic book work at 16, with the 6-page horror story "Aaron Philips' Photo Finish" in DC Comics' House of Secrets #81 (Sept. 1969). He continued selling such anthological stories for that series and for Marvel's Chamber of Darkness and Tower of Shadows through the end of 1970, by which time he had also published one-page text short stories in DC's All-Star Western #1 (Sept. 1970) and Super DC Giant #S-14 (Oct. 1970). He published his first continuing-character story in DC's semi-anthological occult comic The Phantom Stranger #10 (Dec. 1970). Conway recalled breaking into Marvel Comics through Marvel editor Roy Thomas: Following his first continuing-character story for Marvel, with his script for the jungle lord Ka-Zar in Astonishing Tales #3 (Dec. 1970), Conway began writing superhero stories with Daredevil #72 (Jan. 1971). He quickly went on to assignments on Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and both "The Inhumans" and "The Black Widow" features in the split book Amazing Adventures. He scripted the first Man-Thing story in 1971, sharing co-creation credit with Stan Lee and Roy Thomas. he also wrote the premiere issue of Marvel's The Tomb of Dracula, introducing the longstanding literary vampire into the Marvel universe. Spider-Man and intercompany rotation At 19, Conway began scripting The Amazing Spider-Man, succeeding Stan Lee as writer of one of Marvel's flagship titles. His run, from issues #111–149 (August 1972 – October 1975), included the landmark death of Gwen Stacy story in #121 (June 1973). Eight issues later, Conway and Andru introduced the Punisher as a conflicted antagonist for Spider-Man, as well as the Jackal. The Punisher became a popular star of numerous comic books and has been adapted into three movies and a live action television series. Conway additionally wrote Fantastic Four, from #133–152 (April 1973 – Nov. 1974). Conway returned to DC Comics in mid-1975, beginning with three books cover-dated Nov. 1975: Hercules Unbound #1, Kong the Untamed #3, and Swamp Thing #19. He wrote a revival of the Golden Age comic book series All Star Comics, which introduced the character Power Girl. Shortly afterward, he was chosen by Marvel and DC editors to script the historic intercompany crossover Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1, a 96-page, tabloid-sized, $2 one-shot, at a time when comic books sold for 25 cents. He continued writing for DC, on titles including Superman, Detective Comics (starring Batman), Metal Men, Justice League of America, 1st Issue Special #11 starring Codename: Assassin, and that of the licensed character Tarzan. but held the job only "about a month-and-a-half," relinquishing the post and being succeeded by Archie Goodwin. For a time, a confluence of publishing schedules resulted in Conway stories appearing in both Marvel and DC comics in the same month: The prolific Conway's comic books with January 1977 cover-dates alone, for example, are Marvel's The Avengers, The Defenders, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and the premiere issues of Ms. Marvel and ''Logan's Run, and Superman and Action Comics. including the double-sized anniversary issue #200 (March 1982). Conway wrote two additional Superman projects in the oversized tabloid format, Superman vs. Wonder Woman, drawn by José Luis García-López, and Superman vs. Shazam'', drawn by Rich Buckler. He co-created the characters Firestorm with artist Al Milgrom and Steel with artist Don Heck in the premiere issues (both March 1978) of the respective titular comics. and the Vixen (with artist Bob Oksner), were scheduled to receive their own series as well but were canceled before any issues were published. He additionally co-created the characters Vibe and Gypsy. As writer of Batman #337–359 (July 1981 – May 1983) and the feature "Batman" in Detective Comics #497–526 (Dec. 1980 – May 1983), he introduced the characters Killer Croc and Jason Todd, the latter of whom became the second Robin, succeeding original sidekick Dick Grayson. and the Monk in Batman #350 (Aug. 1982). Conway was a frequent collaborator with Roy Thomas. Together they wrote a two-part Superman–Captain Marvel team-up in DC Comics Presents #33–34 (May–June 1981); the Atari Force and Swordquest mini-comics packaged with Atari 2600 video games; and three Justice League of America-Justice Society of America crossovers. Conway contributed ideas to the talking animal comic Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!, created by Thomas and Scott Shaw. Thomas and Conway were to be the co-writers of the JLA/Avengers intercompany crossover, but editorial disputes between DC and Marvel caused the project's cancellation. Conway was one of the contributors to the DC Challenge limited series in 1986. He returned to Marvel in the 1980s and served as the regular writer of both The Spectacular Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man from 1988 until 1990. His run on Spectacular included such story arcs as the "Lobo Brothers Gang War". He relinquished writing duties on both titles when he became the story editor of the television series Father Dowling Mysteries. Conway's last recorded comic credits for many years were Topps Comics' "Kirbyverse" NightGlider #1 (April 1993), scripting from a Roy Thomas plot, and a story for Disney Adventures, published in 1995. Conway returned to comics in 2009 and wrote DC Comics' The Last Days of Animal Man, with artist Chris Batista. In 2011, he wrote the ''DC Retroactive: Justice League – The '80s one-shot. Also for DC, he wrote the Firestorm feature in Legends of Tomorrow'' #1–6 in 2016. In 2015, he returned to Spider-Man by writing a story in Spider-Verse Team Up #2, and the "Spiral" storyline in The Amazing Spider-Man #16.1–20.1. He returned to work as a series' regular writer that same year with Carnage which ran for 16 issues until 2017. In 2016, he returned to his creation the Punisher by writing The Punisher Annual #1. From 2016 to 2017, he wrote The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1–9, followed by What If? Spider-Man #1 in 2018 and the oneshot The Amazing Spider-Man: Going Big, penciled by Mark Bagley, in 2019. In 2023, he was credited with the plot for the oneshot What If...? Dark: Spider-Gwen. Novels and Star Trek comic strip In addition to comics, Conway published two science-fiction novels: The Midnight Dancers and Mindship (originally published as a short story in the science fiction anthology Universe 1.) He also wrote the February 14–December 3, 1983, dailies of the syndicated newspaper comic strip Star Trek, based upon the 1960s TV series. Screenplays and TV producing Conway moved into screenwriting in the 1980s, starting with the animated feature Fire and Ice (1983), co-written with Roy Thomas, based on characters created by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta. Conway and Thomas wrote the story basis for Stanley Mann's screenplay for the film Conan the Destroyer (1984). Afterwards, Conway and Thomas also worked on the script of a live-action X-Men film for production company Nelvana, which went unproduced because of distributor Orion Pictures' financial troubles and subsequent bankruptcy. Conway wrote, and later produced, such TV series as Father Dowling Mysteries, Diagnosis: Murder, Matlock, Jake and the Fatman, Under Suspicion, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Baywatch Nights, Pacific Blue, Silk Stalkings, Perry Mason telefilms, Law & Order, The Huntress, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and two episodes of Batman: The Animated Series ("Appointment in Crime Alley", "Second Chance"). ==Personal life and death==

Conway's first wife was comic-book writer Carla Conway. The couple have a daughter, Cara. In October 2022, Conway was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent Whipple surgery to remove the tumor, resulting in several hospitalizations. In September 2023, he declared that he was cancer-free. Gerry Conway died on April 26, 2026, in Thousand Oaks, California, from pancreatic cancer. ==Awards and recognition==

In 2026, Conway was selected for inclusion in the Eisner Hall of Fame. ==Comics bibliography==

Atlas/Seaboard Comics • Destructor #4 (1975) • Targitt #3 (1975) • Tiger-Man #2–3 (1975) DC Comics • 1st Issue Special #11–13 (1976) • Action Comics #457, 467, 477–479, 486, 517–523 (1976–1981) • Adventure Comics #444, 459–460, 463–464 (1976–1979) • ''All-New Collectors' Edition'' #C-54, C-58 (1978) • All Star Comics #58–62 (1976) • All-Star Squadron #8–9 (1982) • The Amazing World of DC Comics #11 (1976) • Arak, Son of Thunder #7 (1982) • Atari Force #1–5 (1982–1983) • Atari Force vol. 2 #1–13 (1984–1985) • Batman #295, 305–306, 337–346, 348–359 (1978–1983) • Batman Family #17 (1978) • The Brave and the Bold #158, 161, 171–174 (1980–1981) • Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #1–2 (1978) • Challengers of the Unknown #81–87 (1977–1978) • Cinder and Ashe #1–4 (1988) • DC Challenge #8, 12 (1986) • DC Comics Presents #17–18, 21, 30–33, 40, 45, 53, 68 (1980–1984) • ''DC Retroactive: Justice League of America - The '80s'' #1 (2011) • DC Special #28 (1977) • DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #5 (1980) • DC Special Series #1, 6, 10, 16 (1977–1978) • DC Super-Stars #18 (1978) • Detective Comics #463–464, 497–499, 501–513, 515–526 (1976–1983) • Doorway to Nightmare #2 (1978) • Firestorm #1–5 (1978) • The Flash #289–299, 301–304 (Firestorm backup stories) (1980–1981) • Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion #8 (1972) • Freedom Fighters #1–2 (1976) • The Fury of Firestorm #1–28, 31, 33–36, 38–53, 100, Annual #1–4 (1982–1986, 1990) • Hercules Unbound #1–6 (1975–1976) • Heroes Against Hunger #1 (1986) • House of Mystery #188, 193, 196, 199–200, 202, 292–294, 296–297, 300 (1970–1982) • House of Secrets #81, 83, 85–86, 88–89, 94, 111–112, 140, 150 (1969–1978) • House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2 (story "Night of the Rat", originally intended for House of Secrets #141) (2019) • Jonah Hex #40–41, 45–47 (1980–1981) • Justice League of America #125–127, 131–134, 151–216, 219, 221–223, 228–230, 233–239, 241–255, Annual #2 (1975–1986) • Kamandi #39–44 (1976) • Kong the Untamed #3–5 (1975–1976) • Last Days of Animal Man #1–6 (2009) • Legends of Tomorrow #1–6 (Firestorm feature) (2016) • Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 #259–278 (1980–1981) • Man-Bat #1 (1975) • Metal Men #46–48, 54–56 (1976–1978) • Mystery in Space #114 (1980) • New Gods #12–19 (1977–1978) • The New Teen Titans #16 (Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! insert) (1982) • Phantom Stranger vol. 2 #10–11 (1970–1971) • Secret Hearts #143, 147, 149 (1970–1971) • Secret Origins vol. 2 #4, 17 (1986–1987) • Secret Society of Super Villains #1–2, 8–14 (1976–1978) • Star Spangled War Stories #193 (1975) • Steel, The Indestructible Man #1–5 (1978) • Sun Devils #1–9 (1984–1985) • Super-Team Family #11–15 (1977–1978) • Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #227, 232, 234–235, 248–249, 252–258 (1977–1979) • Superman #301, 303–304, 307–309, 345–348, 350–351, 407 (1976–1985) • The Superman Family #175, 184, 186–193, 195–202, 206–211 (1976–1981) • Swamp Thing #19–20, 23–24 (1975–1976) • Swordquest #1–3 (1982) • Tarzan #250–254 (1976) • The Unexpected #221 (1982) • Weird Western Tales #45–58, 60–70 (Scalphunter feature) (1978–1980) • The Witching Hour #10, 14, 27, 38 (1970–1974) • Wonder Woman #233–241, 259–285, 329 (1977–1986) • ''World's Finest Comics'' #245–254, 256–259, 261–262, 268–270, 272, 274–275 (1977–1982) • Young Love #122 (1976) • Zatanna Special #1 (1987) DC Comics and Marvel Comics • Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1976) Disney Comics • Disney Adventures v5 #4 (1995) Eclipse Comics • The Unknown Worlds of Frank Brunner #2 (1985) First Comics • Hawkmoon: The Jewel in the Skull #1–4 (1986) • ''Hawkmoon: The Mad God's Amulet'' #1–4 (1987) Marvel Comics • Adventure into Fear #10 (1972) • Amazing Adventures #7, 9–11, 18–19 (1971–1973) • The Amazing Spider-Man #111–149 (1972–1975), Annual #23 (1989) • The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 3 #16.1–20.1 (2015) • The Amazing Spider-Man: Going Big #1 (2019) • The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1–9 (2016–2017) • Astonishing Tales #3–8 (1970–1971) • The Avengers #151–157, Annual #6 (1976–1977) • Black Widow the Coldest War GN (1990) • Captain America #149–152 (1972) • Captain Marvel #22, 47–48 (1972–1977) • Carnage #1–16 (2015–2017) • Chamber of Chills #1 (1972) • Chamber of Darkness #3 (1970) • Conan the Barbarian #226–231 (1989–1990) • Creatures on the Loose #18 (1972) • Daredevil #72–98, 118 (1971–1975) • Daredevil Annual #5 (1989) • Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1, 3–4 (1974) • The Defenders #42–45, 57 (1976–1978) • Dracula Lives #1, 3–5, 7, 9, 12–13 (1973–1975) • Fantastic Four #133–152, 179 (1973–1977) • Ghost Rider #21–23 (1976–1977) • Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2–3 (1974) • Giant-Size Spider-Man #3–5 (1975) • Giant-Size Super-Heroes #1 (Spider-Man) (1974) • Giant-Size Super-Stars #1 (Fantastic Four) (1974) • Haunt of Horror #1–2, 4 (1974) • The Incredible Hulk #146–147, 171 (1971–1972, 1974) • Iron Man #35–44, 91–97 (1971–1977) • Justice #9–11, 13 (1987) • Ka-Zar vol. 2 #6–10 (1974–1975) • Kull and the Barbarians #2 (1975) • Kull the Conqueror #4–7, 9–10 (1972–1973) • Legion of Monsters #1 (1975) • ''Logan's Run'' #1 (1977) • Marvel Comics #1000 (2019) • Marvel Comics Presents #101–109 (1992) • Marvel Graphic Novel: Conan: The Horn of Azoth GN (1990) • Marvel Graphic Novel: The Amazing Spider-Man: Parallel Lives GN (1989) • Marvel Point One #1 (Carnage) (2015) • Marvel Preview #2 (1975) • Marvel Spotlight #2–4 (1972) • Marvel Super-Heroes vol. 2 #4 (1990) • Marvel Team-Up #2–12, 28–37, 52 (1972–1976) • Monsters on the Prowl #13 (1971) • Monsters Unleashed #1–2, 6–7, 11 (1973–1975) • Ms. Marvel #1–2 (1977) • Our Love Story #15 (1972) • Planet of the Apes #1 (1974) • The Punisher Annual #1 (2016) • Punisher Bloodlines #1 (1992) • Savage Sword of Conan #166–169, 174 (1989–1990) • Savage Tales #2, 6–10 (1973–1975) • Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #86, 117–119 (1971–1974) • The Spectacular Spider-Man #1–3, 137–174, Annual #8–11 (1976–1977, 1988–1991) • Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty Death #1 (1993) • Spider-Man: Fear Itself GN (1992) • Spider-Verse Team-Up #2 (2015) • Spitfire and the Troubleshooters #1–6 (1986–1987) • Sub-Mariner #40–49 (1971–1972) • Tales of the Zombie #4, 10 (1974–1975) • Thor #193–238 (1971–1975) • ThunderCats #7–12, 24 (1986–1988) • The Tomb of Dracula #1–2 (1972) • Tower of Shadows #5 (1970) • Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #1–4 (1975) • Vampire Tales #3, 8–10 (1974–1975) • Visionaries #3–6 (1988) • Web of Spider-Man #35–36, 47–48, 50–70, Annual #5–6 (1988–1990) • Werewolf by Night #1–4, 9–10 (1972–1973) • What If? Spider-Man #1 (2018) • What If? Dark: Spider-Gwen #1 (plot) (2023) • Worlds Unknown #1–2, 4, 6 (1973–1974) Papercutz • Nancy Drew: Girl Detective - The New Case Files #3 ("Together with the Hardy Boys") (2011) Skywald Publications • Nightmare #3 (1971) Topps Comics • NightGlider #1 (1993) Warren Publications • Creepy #38, 103 (1971–1978) • Eerie #32 (1971) ==Screenwriting credits==

Feature films • Fire and Ice (1983) • Conan the Destroyer (1984) Television • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985–1986) • Where the Reptiles Roam • Spell of the Siren • Cobra Claws Are Coming to Town • The Million Dollar Medic • Second Hand Emotions • The Transformers (1986) • Forever Is a Long Time Coming • Money Is Everything • The Centurions (1986) • Whalesong • Tornado of Terror • That Old Black Magic • Crack the World • ''The Mummy's Curse'' • Counterclock Crisis • Return of Cassandra • Ghost Warrior • Let the Lightning Fall • My Little Pony (1986–1987) • Pony Puppy • Would Be Dragonslayer • The Golden Horseshoes: Part 1 • The Golden Horseshoes: Part 2 • Dinosaucers (1987) • The Babysitter • Spiral Zone (1987) • Canal Zone • The Power of the Press • The Darkness Within • ''Brother's Keeper'' • Dino-Riders (1988) • The Adventure Begins • Monsters (1990) • The Hole • Father Dowling Mysteries (1990–1991) • The Confidence Mystery • The Legacy Mystery • The Royal Mystery • The Movie Mystery • The Murder Weekend Mystery • The Reasonable Doubt Mystery • The Substitute Sister Mystery • The Priest Killer Mystery • The Malibu Mystery • The Consulting Detective Mystery • Jake and the Fatman (1992) • Stormy Weather: Part 1 • Stormy Weather: Part 2 • ''I Can't Believe I'm Losing You'' • Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (TV movie) (1992) • Matlock (1992–1993) • The Big Payoff • The Ghost • The Haunted • Batman: The Animated Series (1992, 1994) • Appointment in Crime Alley • Second Chance • Diagnosis: Murder (1993–1997) • Inheritance of Death • Murder with Mirrors • Flashdance with Death • Lily • Shaker • The Plague • A Very Fatal Funeral • Playing for Keeps • Misdiagnosis Murder • Mind Over Murder • FMurder • In Defense of Murder • A History of Murder • Murder, Country Style • Physician, Murder Thyself • Malibu Fire • Diagnosis: Murder - A Twist of the Knife (TV movie) (1993) • Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (TV Movie) (1993) • Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) • Night of the Lizard • Under Supspicion (1994–1995) • The Retarted Witness • Holy Suspect • A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Jealous Jokester (TV movie) (1995) • Two (1996) • Black Ops • Pacific Blue (1996) • Wheels of Fire • Silk Stalkings (1996, 1998) • Services Rendered • Dead Again... And Again • Players (1997) • Con Artist • Rashocon • Three of a Con • Conspiracy • Contamination • Baywatch Nights (1997) • The Servant • Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1998–1999) • Norse by Norsevest • Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bridge • Stranger and Stranger • Fade Out • ''My Best Girl's Wedding'' • Law & Order (1999–2000) • Hunters • Justice • Collision • High & Low • The Huntress (2000–2001) • Partners • The Two Mrs. Thorsons: Part 1 • The Two Mrs. Thorsons: Part 2 • Generations • Ah, Wilderness • Showdown • With Great Power • The Quest: Part 1 • The Quest: Part 2 • Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2003–2006) • Con-Text • Probability • Blink • But Not Forgotten • F.P.S. • Conscience • Semi-Detached • Collective • No Exit • Saving Face • Wrongful Life • The Good ==References==