Talking about John Romita Jr. is talking about living comic book history. About pages that have shaped generations, characters that continue to grow decades later, and a style that is instantly recognizable. At San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026, we’ll have the chance to welcome one of the industry’s most influential names as a special guest.

The son of the legendary John Romita Sr., his connection to comics began almost before he could even hold a pencil. In fact, his first contribution to Marvel Comics came at just 13 years old, when he helped create the villain Prowler in The Amazing Spider-Man. An early start for a career that has continued to grow ever since.

After his early work at Marvel UK, Romita Jr. made his official U.S. debut in 1977 and quickly established himself as one of the publisher’s key artists. His run on Iron Man, alongside David Michelinie and Bob Layton, marked the beginning of a particularly influential period, introducing characters that remain part of the Marvel Universe today.

If there is one area where his impact runs especially deep, it is Spider-Man. Over the years, Romita Jr. has played a key role in shaping the character’s evolution, contributing to defining story arcs and co-creating figures such as the Hobgoblin, while giving visual form to countless stories that are now considered essential within superhero comics.

His career is filled with collaborations with some of the most influential names in the medium, such as Frank Miller, with whom he worked on Daredevil: The Man Without Fear, or Neil Gaiman, on his reinterpretation of The Eternals. He has also left his mark on titles such as X-Men, Daredevil, Thor, Black Panther, and Wolverine, demonstrating a versatility that is rare within the genre.

Beyond Marvel, his career has also taken him to DC Comics, where he has worked on series such as Superman and All-Star Batman, further cementing his position as one of the most influential artists in contemporary comics.

With a powerful, direct, and highly narrative style, John Romita Jr. has managed to evolve without losing his identity, something very few creators achieve in an ever-changing industry.

His presence at San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026 will be a unique opportunity to meet one of the great architects of modern comics, a key figure in building the universes that are now part of global Popular Arts culture.