For additional Simon and Kirby discussion, go to:
www.mythdiscussionseries.blogspot.com
THURSDAY - DECEMBER 15th, 2011
Joe Simon passed away after a brief illness Wednesday. He was 98 years old. His lifetime was one involving titanic changes in the country and the comic industry. In the 1940s, he co-created the ultra patriotic Captain America with innovative young artist Jack Kirby. The two of them pioneered new tricks and techniques for telling stories in the comics medium and sold over one million copies of Cap's first issue - made famous for the image of boné, cap smashing Hitler in the jaw on the front cover.
Mr. Simon was also known as an influential artist, writer and editor during the early days of comics. His attention to detail, strength of decision and deal making and discipline brought from outside the industry helped shape Timely Comics before it became Marvel Comics. Through Simon and Kirby's twenty ano collaboration, Simon kept at the forefront of comics publishing innovation, producing a line of oft imitated romance comics - many million sellers.
While Joe Simon may be remembered as part of the team that created Captain America, he was also a fearless lifelong champion for artists' rights. He put his money where his mouth was also. During his run on Cap, Simon took the unprecedented risk of taking his successful property to another publisher in a dispute over royalties. His message to artists was to fight for mais rights and mais compensation.
Perhaps what is most striking about Joe Simon was his humor, intelligence and optimism. He loved comics dearly as a communication art form and poured his time and considerable talent in it. He always encouraged artists to think big and to fight for their dreams. Now that he has passed, he should be remembered as a creative giant who pioneered the comics medium up until he last breath.
For an in-depth discussion an Simon and Kirby's Captain AMerica, please read: www.mythdiscussionseries.blogspot.com
www.mythdiscussionseries.blogspot.com
THURSDAY - DECEMBER 15th, 2011
Joe Simon passed away after a brief illness Wednesday. He was 98 years old. His lifetime was one involving titanic changes in the country and the comic industry. In the 1940s, he co-created the ultra patriotic Captain America with innovative young artist Jack Kirby. The two of them pioneered new tricks and techniques for telling stories in the comics medium and sold over one million copies of Cap's first issue - made famous for the image of boné, cap smashing Hitler in the jaw on the front cover.
Mr. Simon was also known as an influential artist, writer and editor during the early days of comics. His attention to detail, strength of decision and deal making and discipline brought from outside the industry helped shape Timely Comics before it became Marvel Comics. Through Simon and Kirby's twenty ano collaboration, Simon kept at the forefront of comics publishing innovation, producing a line of oft imitated romance comics - many million sellers.
While Joe Simon may be remembered as part of the team that created Captain America, he was also a fearless lifelong champion for artists' rights. He put his money where his mouth was also. During his run on Cap, Simon took the unprecedented risk of taking his successful property to another publisher in a dispute over royalties. His message to artists was to fight for mais rights and mais compensation.
Perhaps what is most striking about Joe Simon was his humor, intelligence and optimism. He loved comics dearly as a communication art form and poured his time and considerable talent in it. He always encouraged artists to think big and to fight for their dreams. Now that he has passed, he should be remembered as a creative giant who pioneered the comics medium up until he last breath.
For an in-depth discussion an Simon and Kirby's Captain AMerica, please read: www.mythdiscussionseries.blogspot.com
Cap collage by Rick Arthur
