The prodigal penciller has returned. John Romita Jr. is back at Marvel starting in July. This comes after a five-year stint at DC Comics where he drew such high profile books as Dark Knight III: The Master Race and Superman: Year One. 

However, that five years at DC came after a lifetime associated with Marvel, starting with bullpen visits with JRJR’s father, John Romita Sr., the legendary Spider-Man artist. Romita Jr. started working for Marvel at age 13, before career-defining runs on Amazing Spider-ManUncanny X-MenIron ManDaredevil, and many more. Among the characters he co-created: the Prowler, Typhoid Mary and Hobgoblin. Without a doubt, Romita is absolutely one of the defining artists of the post-Bronze Age superhero industry — and he also co-created Kick-Ass with Mark Millar, first for Marvel’s Icon imprint, and later Image.

His move to DC made huge news, as Romita was so associated with Marvel. Bit it would seem that his contract is up — perhaps a five year contract, given the timing — and he’s back to where it all began.

“I have been very fortunate more than a few times in my life, and now I can add this latest event to that list. I have returned to Marvel, the company that I started my career in, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!” said Romita in a statement. “I am literally, at this very moment, working on my next big Marvel project, and it’s a blast!!! I am JUST as excited as I was when I first started, and I will do my best to let the work show that again. I hope fans will see that too!”

Marvel sent out some promo art, which CB Cebulski ID’d as inks by @JPMayer and colors by @martegracia. 

While the name of Romita’s first project hasn’t been announced, CBR speculated that the big Extreme Carnage event has no artist named — certainly a return to a Symbiote storyline would be 100% appropriate for Romita’s kinetic style.

The Beat will let you know as soon as we do!

 

1 COMMENT

  1. Good ol’ DC; hire a Marvel artist for a bit and then they go back. Best heroes, worst practices, it seems.

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