RIP: Joe Simon, Creator of Captain America

It is with great sorrow that we are reporting that Joe Simon, the creator of Captain America, has passed away at the age of 98.

Born in 1913, Simon was one of many Jewish American cartoonists who helped build the American Comic Book industry.  His greatest contributions to the industry stemming from his partnership with Jack Kirby.  With Kirby, Simon co-created Captain American for Timely Comics (now Marvel) in 1941.  This character not only helped build support for the US’ war effort, but it evolved into a lasting symbol of American Patriotism.  Simon was so passionate about defending the United States that he even enlisted in the US Coast Guard.

Years later, Kirby and Simon would create another important contribution to the comic book industry when they produced the first romance comic, Young Romance.  Published in 1947, Young Romance would start the trend of comic book romance stories that would continue well into the 60s.

By the mid-1950s, Simon decided to move from comic books to the advertisement industry.  Simon didn’t turn his back on the industry completely though.

In 1959, Simon and Kirby would collaborate again.  This time working for Archie Comics to update another patriotic-themed superhero called the Shield.  And also created another character for the publisher called The Fly.

Simon would continue to do little comic book projects over the years.  He even contributed some work to his son’s, Jim Simon, project called ShieldMaster.

Without question, Joe Simon lived a full and amazing life.  Though his contributions and legacy will never be forgotten, it is heartbreaking that we have lost one of the greats from the Golden Age.

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