Roy William Thomas Jr., born November 22, 1940, is one of American comics' most prolific and consequential writers and editors. He began his career in the early 1960s and eventually rose to become Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics — a role that placed him at the center of the medium during one of its most fertile periods.
The Avengers #57 (1968)
Thomas is perhaps most closely associated with bringing pulp hero Conan the Barbarian into American comics, a translation that proved enormously successful and generated titles including *Conan the Barbarian*, *The Savage Sword of Conan*, and related series that occupied him for years. He has also been a tireless advocate for Golden Age characters, steering extended runs on DC's *All-Star Squadron* and *Infinity Inc.* that showcased his deep affection for 1940s heroes like the Justice Society of America.
Marvel Premiere #15 (1974)
His tenure at Marvel produced celebrated work on *The Avengers* and *X-Men*, and his co-creation credits form a remarkable roster: Carol Danvers, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Vision, Ultron, Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Red Sonja, Morbius, the Defenders, the Squadron Supreme, and many others — characters who remain central to Marvel's publishing and cinematic output decades later.
Star Wars #1 (1977)
Thomas was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame in 2022, recognitions that reflect a career spanning well over half a century of continuous contribution to the form.
