Gerry Conway, a prolific writer whose career spanned decades, is primarily celebrated for co-creating The Punisher and his impactful work on Spider-Man and Justice League. However, a less public aspect of his extensive output lies in the realm of horror comics. Starting his writing journey by selling horror stories to both Marvel and DC, Conway carved out a significant niche within the genre, particularly throughout the 1970s. This exploration aims to shed light on his notable, yet often overlooked, horror contributions, revealing a different facet of his remarkable creative legacy.

Conway's entry into the horror genre began early in his career, with his initial works appearing in various anthology series. While pinpointing his very first published horror piece can be challenging due to limited availability, his influence is undeniable. Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, he contributed numerous short horror narratives to DC's Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion, The Witching Hour, House of Secrets, and House of Mystery. Simultaneously, he played a pivotal role in establishing enduring characters within Marvel's horror lineup, such as Dracula and Werewolf By Night, solidifying his status as a key figure in the genre's development.

Marvel also offered its own array of horror publications, where Conway made significant contributions. He penned several stories for magazines like Dracula Lives and Vampire Tales. These large-format, black-and-white publications were tailored for a mature audience, allowing for more graphic content than standard comic books. A prime example of his work in this format is the entertaining exploitation-style story featuring Satana: Daughter of Satan! in Vampire Tales #3, followed by additional short pieces co-written with his then-wife Carla in subsequent issues.

A pivotal moment in Conway's horror career occurred in the summer of 1972, coinciding with the launch of his renowned Amazing Spider-Man run. Alongside co-creators Roy and Jean Thomas and artist Mike Ploog, he introduced the world to Werewolf By Night. This character, now recognized through the Marvel Cinematic Universe's black-and-white retro Halloween Special, originated from a series deeply rooted in 1970s grindhouse cinema aesthetics. The narrative followed Jack Russell's struggles with his hereditary lycanthropy as he sought freedom from his curse. Conway authored the initial four issues of this ongoing series, establishing its distinctive blend of tightly-paced, superhero-infused horror.

Conway also notably introduced Dracula to the Marvel Universe in 1972 with Tomb of Dracula. This 70-issue series remains remarkable for being the longest-running comic dedicated entirely to an unrepentant villain. Drawing heavily from the Hammer Horror films and Christopher Lee's iconic portrayal, Conway's Dracula was characterized by his dramatic, over-the-top nature and surprisingly petty demeanor. While the initial two issues may not fully represent the series' overall trajectory, they undeniably offer an engaging start to this legendary run.

Many of Conway's horror works, particularly those involving major titles like Swamp Thing, Tomb of Dracula, and Werewolf By Night, have been widely reprinted and collected. However, other selections, such as certain issues from Marvel's Monsters Unleashed, remain partially or entirely unavailable, even on digital platforms. As the horror genre continues to thrive in the comic book market, there is a growing hope that more of Conway's less accessible horror creations will eventually be compiled. Until then, the existing collected works provide an excellent entry point for exploring his unique contributions to the genre.