Spider-Man artist Romita dies at 93

F.P. resident was ex-Marvel art director

BY BRANDON DUFFY

John Romita Sr., the comic book artist best known for his work on “The Amazing Spider-Man” and for creating multiple Marvel Comics characters, died on June 13 in his Floral Park home. He was 93.

Romita’s son, John, who is also a comic book artist, announced his death on Twitter.

“I say this with a heavy heart, My father passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps,” John said. “Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family. He was the greatest man I ever met.”

Romita was a “creative giant” that will be missed for kindness, grace and vision, Marvel said in a statement.

“Millions came to know Marvel through his art, and millions more came to know Peter Parker through the unmistakable bold brushwork Romita brought to his pages,” Marvel said. “Known fondly to many as ‘Jazzy’ John Romita in the Marvel Bullpen, his kindness, grace, and vision will always be remembered, and his influence will continue to shape generations of artists to come at Marvel and beyond.”

Romita co-created characters the Wolverine and Punisher during his decades-long career where he worked as Marvel’s art director from 1973 to his retirement in 1996.

The Brooklyn native followed Steve Ditko as the second artist on “The Amazing Spider-Man” in 1963, a series he collaborated on with Marvel Publisher Stan Lee.

Romita’s time working on Spidey

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New York State Gaming Commission and pointed out that the main dirt track and both courses are inspected before, during and after each race day.

Since May 4, a total of 1,740 horses have started in 224 races at Belmont.

Last year, during 44 race days there were 3,097 starting horses over 419 races with six fatal injuries during racing at Belmont, a 0.19% occurrence.

The park, which is also a yearround training center, had 39,413 timed workouts last year that saw 23 fatal injuries during training, a 0.06% occurrence.

Live racing statistics for all of NYRA’s tracks last year, which include Belmont, Aqueduct Race Track in Queens and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., show 196 race days, 1,855 races and 14,043 starting horses.

There were 23 fatal injuries during racing last year, a 0.17% occurrence.

“In the course of investigating these injuries, necropsies will be performed at Cornell University with the results to be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) officials as well as the New York State Equine Medical Director,” McKenna said.

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