Remembering Peter B. Gillis: A Comic Book Visionary

From Marvel’s What If…? to Strikeforce: Morituri, his stories shaped generations of readers and creators.

Peter B. Gillis, born on December 19, 1952, was a celebrated comic book writer renowned for his contributions to Marvel Comics and First Comics.

He was best known for creating the series Strikeforce: Morituri with artist Brent Anderson.

Peter’s brother, Rob Gillis, shared the news of his passing, reflecting on Peter’s prolonged struggle with health issues over the last two years.

Yesterday he went from being "on the road back home" in the morning to a quick decline and passed away around 2am this morning in the presence of some close friends who drove to Albany to be with him.

Peter was born in White Plains, New York. He was a graduate student in medieval German literature in the late 1970s. But plans change and he decided to take a leave of absence from his studies to pursue his passion for writing comic books.

Listen to our interview with Peter B. Gillis

His career began with Marvel Comics, with his first published story appearing in Captain America #224 in 1978. Over the next several years, he wrote for a variety of Marvel titles including The Incredible Hulk, Marvel Two-in-One, Super-Villain Team-Up, Thor, and John Carter Warlord of Mars.

Peter was especially noted for his work on the What If…? series, with standout issues that captivated readers with alternative takes on iconic Marvel stories.

In 1980, he briefly served as the Editorial Director at New Media Publishing before moving on to First Comics. There, he helped launch the Warp comic book series and co-created the digital comic series Shatter.

His prolific career also included significant contributions to The Defenders, Doctor Strange, and The Eternals.

Beyond his professional achievements, Peter was known for his deep intellectual approach to writing. He once described his method of creating memorable stories by focusing on striking images and strong character development. He aimed to reveal the essence of his characters and craft narratives that would leave a lasting impression on readers.

Peter is survived by his brother, Rob Gillis, and many friends and fans who cherished his work and his contributions to the world of comics. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Peter B. Gillis’s legacy will live on through his work, which continues to inspire and entertain comic book enthusiasts around the world. His creativity, intellect, and passion for storytelling have left an indelible mark on the comic book industry.