HAPPY BIRTHdAY, Marie Severin: A Marvel Legend
Comics has always been a male-dominated industry—whether in reading, buying, or collecting—and that trendS carries over into the world of writers and artists as well. But throughout the decades, there have been many truly talented women who carved out their place in comics history, from Ramon Fradon to Lily Renée, and of course, Marie Severin—whose birthday we celebrate today. So here’s to you, Marie, and the incredible legacy you left behind!
While working in New York, Marie’s brother approached her with an opportunity to join EC Comics. She accepted, and in 1949, she began her comics career by coloring A Moon, A Girl...Romance #9. Marie quickly became the company’s main colorist and a vital member of the production team.
After EC Comics folded in 1954, Marie briefly worked for Atlas Comics before moving on to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where she illustrated educational materials. In her spare time, she continued working on comics with her brother.
Entering the Marvel Universe
In 1964, Marie was hired by Marvel Comics to manage production. That same year, she was asked to illustrate a piece for Esquire magazine, which caught the attention of Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee. Impressed, Lee assigned her to Doctor Strange in Strange Tales. As the third artist on the title, Marie co-created the cosmic entity The Living Tribunal in Strange Tales #157.
The Heart of the Bullpen
Marie became a beloved figure in the Marvel Bullpen, known for her sharp sense of humor. She often created caricatures of her colleagues—work that would later appear in Marvel’s satirical titles like Crazy and Not Brand Echh.
📌 Marie Severin – Fast Facts
Born: August 21, 1929
First Comics Credit: A Moon, A Girl...Romance #9 (1949, EC Comics)
Key Roles: Colorist, penciler, inker, letterer, caricaturist, cover rough artist
Co-Created:
The Living Tribunal (Strange Tales #157, 1967)
The Cat (precursor to Tigra & Hellcat)
Iconic Contribution: Designed the original Spider-Woman costume (1976)
Marvel Titles Worked On: Doctor Strange, Sub-Mariner, Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conqueror
Later Work: Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies
Awards & Honors:
Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame (2001)
Harvey & Eisner Awards (2003, for B. Krigstein biography)
Expanding Her Legacy
Marie became Marvel’s head colorist until 1972, when she passed the torch to George Roussos in order to focus on penciling, inking, and lettering. From then on, she worked on characters such as Sub-Mariner, Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, Conan the Barbarian, and Kull the Conqueror. She also co-created The Cat, a character that would evolve into Marvel icons Hellcat and Tigra. In 1976, Marie designed the original Spider-Woman costume, leaving a lasting mark on the Marvel Universe.
In the 1980s, she shifted into licensing, working on Marvel toys and tie-in products while still contributing to Star Comics titles like Fraggle Rock and Muppet Babies.
A Lasting Tribute
Marie spent decades shaping comics, collaborating with artists like Jim Mooney, & Dave Cockrum. Even after retiring, she continued to lend her talents to recoloring classic stories.
Her contributions were recognized in 2001 when she was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, and again in 2003 when she received both Harvey and Eisner Awards for her work on a biography of Bernard Krigstein.
Marie Severin’s career is a testament to versatility, humor, and groundbreaking creativity. From war books to superheroes, satire to children’s comics, her work continues to inspire generations of artists and readers alike.
