Longtime Marvel Comics artist Marie Severin has died at the age of 89.
Severin’s passing comes after the artist suffered a stroke and was moved to hospice care earlier this week. The news was announced on Facebook by her friend and former Marvel colleague Irene Vartanoff.
“I’m very sorry to report that Marie Severin, the funniest and nicest woman in the comic book biz ever, is no more,” Vartanoff wrote. “Here’s a pic from happier days only a few years ago. I would have cropped myself out of this photo, but notice where Marie’s left hand is. Incorrigible! Love you, Marie.”
Severin began as an artist at EC Comics, working as a colorist alongside her older brother James in the late 1940s. She later transitioned to Marvel Comics with the “Strange Tales” anthology series, where she would spend much of her later career.
In addition to co-creating the character Spider-Woman and designing her original costume, Severin’s other Marvel credits include “Iron Man,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “Kull the Conqueror” and the parody series “Not Brand Echh.”