He was the greatest man I ever met.
In the 1950s he worked at rival DC Comics and in 1965 joined Marvel, initially drawingDaredevilcomics.
In 1966, he took over for Steve Ditko onThe Amazing Spider-Manwhich was then Marvels second-biggest seller.
John Romita Sr. in 2010Getty
I was sort of counting the days until I could get back onDaredevil, Romita SrtoldAlter Egoin 2001.
I really felt it was obvious that I couldnt doSpider-Manas well as I could doDaredevil.
I was amazed when Stan gave meSpider-Manto do.
I felt he was desperate.
So I did the book to help him out, hoping all the while that it would be temporary.
He was also behind Monica RambeausCaptain Marveldebut in 1982.
He went into semi-retirement in 1996.
I always felt that I became a follower of necessity.
Because they had already done the ground rules.
And I became a guy who was just following everybody elses lead.
I think it stamped me forever.
A writer and another artist can create something, and I can make it better…
I dont consider myself a creator.
Ive created a lot of stuff.
But I dont consider myself a real creator in a Jack Kirby sense.
But Ive always had the ability to improve on other peoples stories, other peoples characters.
And I think thats whats made me a living for 50 years.
