CSBG Archive
365 Reasons to Love Comics #70
This week has a theme, but I can’t tell you what it is without revealing today’s featured creator. Let’s just say it’s very timely.
3/11/07
70. Joe Simon
I figured, what with Captain America in the news, a spotlight on his creator (well, the one I haven’t already covered) wouldn’t go amiss. Now, I had this idea before the whole Cap debacle. I nearly did this one last week, without knowing what was to come. Synchronicity is a funny thing.
Joe Simon was the first major partner of Jack Kirby, and together they created Captain America, the Newsboy Legion, the Boy Commandos, Manhunter, Fighting American, The Fly, the entire genre of romance comics, and worked on Sandman and the Shield. On his own, Simon wrote and created great forgotten wonders like Prez and Brother Power, the Geek. I’m going to devote the rest of this week to the best of Mr. Simon’s creations.
First, however, we’ve got to salute the man himself. He was frequently overshadowed by Kirby and is, in my opinion, incredibly underrated because of that, looked over by most fans of comics. He wasn’t just a gifted writer, but an accomplished artist, as well. I believe it was Joe who designed Cap’s outfit and inked a lot of Kirby’s early work.
At 93, Joe Simon is still with us. He wrote a book, The Comic Book Makers, with his son Jim. You can find the Simons on the web at this link.
The man’s a great overlooked creator. This week is meant to honor him. Join us tomorrow for the beginning of our journey through the cool and crazy concepts Mr. Simon’s created over the years!
And, just for fun, here’s Dial B for Blog’s look at a comic I’m not going to cover, Joe Simon’s original Outsiders. It’s exceptionally strange, and that makes it cool in my book.
Joe and I will see you tomorrow.
10 Comments
Omar Karindu
March 11, 2007 at 6:56 pm
If you don’t cover Prez during Joe Simon Week, I will be demanding a Prez week in the future.
D.B.
March 11, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Go JOE ! I remember reading his book back in high school on the strength of him co-creating Cap. Hes one of comics unsung heroes. His name should be spoken in reverence.
Richard
March 11, 2007 at 8:08 pm
“At 93, Joe Simon is still with us”
I always thought Simon was born in 1915.
Wikipedia however does list his birthday as October 10, 1913.
Barry
March 12, 2007 at 9:08 am
I have the Outsiders issue! It was one of my favorite stories when I was a kid.
Brad Should Be Working
March 12, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I am completely amazed that no one ever did a Vertigo revamp of Simon’s Oustiders. Surely it was at least considered. The only reason I can see for it not happening is someone in the process saying, “No, that’s too easy and obvious.” But come on! How has no one ever recycled this insane idea before?
Mike
March 12, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Very “Timely.”
Was that intentional? (Click my name for more)
Bill Reed
March 12, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Yes. Heh.
Jim
March 12, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Hey, Bill and everyone else, thanks so much from Joe and me. The last man standing will be Cap!
Best!
Jim and Joe Simon
Bill Reed
March 12, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Thanks, Jim. Your blessing means the world to me.
MAF
March 13, 2007 at 7:44 pm
NPR’s “On the Media” was the only major news source that got the Cap story right– and includes a respectful interview with Joe Simon here
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2007/03/09/07