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Interview: The Career Of John Romita, Jr...In His Own Words


by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

There are certain things you can always count on when it comes to comics - things that are mainstays across generations.

For example:

  • Marvel vs. DC will always be THE go-to rivalry.
  • No one stays dead in comics forever.
  • With great power comes great responsibility.
  • Archie will never quite settle on Betty or Veronica.
  • Crossovers are as imminent as death and taxes.
  • John Romita, Jr.

Since the late 1970s, John Romita, Jr. has been a constant in the comic book industry. His four-decade run at Marvel bridged generations, his co-creations Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl infiltrated the larger pop culture landscape, and his current run at DC Comics is destined to extend his career in comics well into the future. 

In Part 1 of our interview above, Romita, Jr. takes us through the earliest parts of his career. From stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father (John Romita, Sr.) to tackling the classic "Demon in a Bottle" story for Iron Man. Journey with PREVIEWsworld as Romita provides an oral history of the ups, downs, and triumphs of making myths and entertaining fans throughout the years.

Stay tuned for Part 2, in which Romita talks about his first run on X-Men and much more!

MARVEL COMICS
MARVEL VISIONARIES TP JOHN ROMITA JR
(W) Roger Stern, More (A/CA) John Romita Jr.
Celebrate the career of a true Marvel Visionary! John Romita Jr. followed in his famous father's footsteps - and soon become a legend in his own right! This volume collects some of JRJR's greatest hits, from his first Marvel work to the creation of a New Universe and more! Tony Stark battles alcoholism! Spider-Man battles the Juggernaut though the streets of New York! Colossus and Kitty Pryde break up! Daredevil and Kingpin celebrate Christmas! The Punisher joins the mafia! Professor X and Magneto's history is explored! Hulk smashes the Abomination! A masterful retelling of Daredevil's origin! And more! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #229-230, IRON MAN (1968) #128 and #256, UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #183 and #309, STAR BRAND #1, DAREDEVIL (1964) #253, PUNISHER WAR ZONE (1992) #1, DAREDEVIL: THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR #1-2, INCREDIBLE HULK (2000) #25 and #34, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #36 and material from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #11.
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 18, 2019
SRP: $34.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #110
DC COMICS
SUPERMAN YEAR ONE HC
(W) Frank Miller (A/CA) John Romita Jr., Danny Miki
From legendary team of writer Frank Miller and artist John Romita Jr. comes a groundbreaking, definitive treatment of Superman's classic origin story. This story details new revelations that reframe the Man of Steel's most famous milestones-from Kal-El's frantic exile from Krypton, to Clark Kent's childhood in Kansas, to his rise to become the most powerful and inspiring superhero of all time.
In Shops: Nov 06, 2019
SRP: $29.99
DC PREVIEWS Page #135
DYNAMIC FORCES
DF ROMITA LEGACY HC
(W) Brian Cunningham, Tom Spurgeon (A/CA) John Romita Jr., John Romita Sr.
John Romita and John Romita Jr. are two of the most influential artists in the history of comic books, as well as being father and son. In the late 1960's, John Romita was brought on by Stan Lee to replace original Amazing Spider-Man artist, Steve Ditko, who had left the series. With Lee at the writing helm, Romita continued working on The Amazing Spider-Man, beginning a collaboration that would come to define the look and essence of Spider-Man. A decade later, John Romita Jr. would start his climb towards the top of the business. For most sons, following in the footsteps of a famous father would be quite a challenge, but Romita Jr. thrived and became an equally powerful force as a comic book artist! Written by Tom Spurgeon, one of North America's best-known experts on the comic strip and comic book art forms, The Romita Legacy is the definitive book on the father and son artists, lavishly illustrated with classic and unseen art and with biographies and in-depth interviews. With an introduction by Alex Ross, this book is perfect for every comic book fan young and old!
In Shops: May 05, 2010
SRP: $29.99
PREVIEWS Page #281
MARVEL COMICS
IRON MAN DEMON IN A BOTTLE TP
(W) Bob Layton, David Michelinie (A) John Romita Jr., Carmine Infantino (CA) Bob Layton
Written by DAVID MICHELINIE & BOB LAYTON
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR., BOB LAYTON & CARMINE INFANTINO
Cover by BOB LAYTON
Iron Man faces his most untouchable foe in criminal industrialist Justin Hammer and his literal army of super-villains! But can the Armored Avenger overcome an even more implacable personal demon, invulnerable to technology or wealth? Guest-starring Ant-Man and the Sub-Mariner! Collects IRON MAN #120-128.
In Shops: Mar 03, 2010
SRP: $24.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #92

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.

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