Comics Legend Joe Simon Passes Away

Sad news in the comics world as comics legend and Captain America co-creator Joe Simon has passed away on December 14th, 2011 at the age of 98. This on the heels of the passing of another Golden Age giant, Jerry Robinson, and of Uruguayan artist Eduardo Barreto.

If you want to know the impact of Simon's life on the comic book industry, I strongly recommend reading his auto biography, Joe Simon: My Life in Comics. He was Marvel Comics's first editor. He and Jack Kirby created Captain America and Bucky. He moved on to DC Comics where he revamped The Sandman and created the Boy Commandos, the Newsboy Legion, and the Guardian. Later, he and Kirby created Romance comics and the Captain America knock off/parody of McCarthism hero Fighting American. Other lesser known works were Prez and Brother Power the Geek for DC, The Fly for Archie Comics, and much more. Oh, and while he was an editor for Timely/Marvel, he hired this kid that was the owner's nephew. Stanley Lieber. What ever happened to that kid?

Fans were fortunate enough to see Simon recently at the New York Comic-Con. He had not made many west coast convention appearances of late but I myself was lucky enough to see him at the San Diego Comic-Con in 1998 where he received an award.

I've been a huge Captain America fan for years and with my interest in the character growing deeper over the years, so has my knowledge about its creators and the history. The Golden Age creators that I've met over the years were always a different breed. Not only did they break into comics when it was a new industry, but most of them dreamed of being a comic STRIP artist like Caniff or writing that Great American Novel (Stan Lee). Most didn't think this comic book thing would amount to much and certainly never give them the accolades they would receive at conventions. Hence, most of the creators I met during the 1990s were so very humble if not a little dumbfounded by what all these little funny books turned into. There was very little ego with these guys. Sadly, many of the Golden Age greats that I thankfully saw in the 1990s are no longer with us and, with the passing of Simon and Jerry Robinson, we just lost two HUGE links to the beginning of modern comic books.

I really thought Joe would make 100. Just last week, with the passing of Robinson, I was discussing with a friend about the not-so-secret to a long life that both seem to possess: keeping busy! And 98 is a long life and Joe used it well. While I'm sad, we should also celebrate his life. He contributed a lot to the industry and his greatest creation, Captain America, is riding high with a major motion picture (which he saw and apparently liked) and the comics are some of the best. Not bad for a character that just turned 70.

Rest well, Joe.
You earned it.

 (Above: Mark Evanier gives Joe his Inkpot Award at the San Diego Comic-Con in 1998. Although, is this an Inkpot or another legacy award? Looking at the award this past summer, an Inkpot is shaped just like that.)

Joe Simon's greatest creation came early with the debut of Captain America above.

The sketch that started it all. Even before Jack Kirby co-created the character, Joe drew out the design.

Inspired by seeing a red cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, Simon created the arch villain, the Red Skull. Above, we see his demise in that very first issue but he would return again and again.

 McCarthyism's answer to Captain America, the Fighting American! He quickly became a parody though.

One of my favorite Simon and Kirby creations: The Fly from Archie Comics. I use to see these old back issues and liked the restrained look for a super hero comic (the later issues after S&K left). That and Fly Girl looked pretty hot to this teen. Only years later did I find out that the Fly was another S&K creation and I picked up the first two issues back in 2007.

Joe Simon covered his life in comics the first time with the book The Comic Book Makers but, this year, he gave a far more in depth autobiography with Joe Simon: My Life in Comics, which I immediately read this past summer. Perfect timing, Joe, and a wrap to your long productive life. But that was Joe Simon, folks. Perfect timing. When comics first started, he was there. When we needed a patriotic hero, he was one of the first to deliver one. When a stand needed to be taken against Hitler before December 7th, 1941, he was there with Captain America Comics #1. And Romance Comics. And industry contracts. Impeccable timing, Joe. And a great legacy.

You did good, Joe. you did good.