Marvel's Spider-Woman Co-Creator Marie Severin Dies At 89

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Marvel's Spider-Woman Co-Creator Marie Severin Dies At 89; Stan Lee Reacts

By Calvin Barr

Published Aug 31, 2018

Comic book creators and fans mourn the loss of Marie Severin, co-creator of Spider-Woman. She's remembered as a pioneer for women comic artists.

Marie Severin, veteran comic book artist, colorist, and the co-creator of Spider-Woman has passed away at the age of 89. Fans, friends, and former colleagues everywhere have taken to social media today to pay tribute to the industry legend, remembering her as both extraordinary talented, and a pioneer for women artists in comics.

For the industry, this marks a farewell to a contributor who'd been involved since the Golden and Silver Age of comics. Since she created the costume for arguably her most famous character in the late 1970s, Spider-Woman has undergone many different incarnations throughout the years, including Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. The character has yet to join the ongoing, present day run of Marvel live-action film and television series; however, Gwen Stacy is set to appear slinging webs in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which is scheduled to hit theaters in December.

Irene Vartanoff confirmed Marie Severin's passing on Facebook today. Her career in comics began in the late 1940s, when she joined EC Comics as a colorist. She then went on to join Atlas Comics, which would later become Marvel. She became the lead colorist, and eventually a penciler who worked on The Avengers, Captain America, Conan the Barbarian, and Doctor Strange. In response to the news, Stan Lee has since tweeted his tribute, revealing some her incredible artwork from The Incredible Hulk and Spider Woman. (Note: Above photo is of Ultimate Jessica Drew created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley.)

Severin is remembered for her exceptional gift for drawing with attention to resemblance, which landed her an artist role in creating Not Brand Echh, Marvel's self-satirizing comic series, alongside Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. She was awarded a place in the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2001, after decades of proliferating iconic Marvel and DC Comics characters. She continued to work until the mid-2000s. A collection of her most famous and rare artwork as well as extensive interviews with her are available in the book, Marie Severin: The Mirthful Mistress of Comics.

As for where Spider-Woman may appear on screen next, it's anyone's guess. Outside of the comic books, she's appeared in the various TV and video game adaptations, notably voiced by Joan Van Ark in short-lived 1979 animated TV series. Across the three different Spider-Man film series, Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson have continuously been re-cast, up to and including rumors for the in-development Homecoming sequel, Spider-Man: Far From Home. If a standalone or origin movie were to go into a development, returning to the original Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, may resonate positively with fans. Warner Bros Batwoman TV series, Marvel's Captain Marvel, and longer list of potential and already green-lit female-lead superhero flicks are continuing to generate excitement from fans itching to see them take the driver's seat when it comes to saving the world. After all, that's part of the message that Marie Severin has left behind.

More: 11 Female Superhero Movies Currently In Development (And 9 Rumored)

Source: Irene Vartanoff