HeroesCon 2023: John Romita Sr. Tribute Panel

HeroesCon included a last minute panel as a tribute to John Romita Sr. Panelists included Rick Leonardi, Chris Claremont, Joey (step grandson), Bill Morrison, Ron Wilson and Susan Loeb. The final member of the panel was a friend to John Romita Sr. Unfortunately, I don't recall his name. What follows are my tweets covering the thoughts and memories that were shared.

Susan Loeb speaking on how she got the "Susan Says" column and John Romita Sr.'s art on those issues in the late '60s. Besides Marie Severin, she was the only woman and it fell on her to write the advice column.

Chris Claremont speaking on John Romita Sr.'s personality and how he approached the work. Describing him as an anchor and the guy he says nobody could ever say anything bad about.

Ron Wilson calls John Romita Sr. "unsung." Meeting him changed his life forever as it led to his first work at Marvel.

Asked about something in John Romita Sr.'s work that stood out, he spoke on his transition from drawing to inking over Gil Kane on Amazing Spider-Man and how his inks were on another level.

Chris Claremont referred to Jack Kirby and John Romita Sr. as the Yin and Yang, respectively, of Marvel. From Kirby's larger than life style with Galactus to Romita's more intimate work.