Farewell, Joe Simon

[filkertom]

Great sadness, for a fallen icon.

Joe Simon, who with his frequent partner Jack Kirby created Captain America, has passed away at the age of 98.

Simon worked on a lot of different comics, as writer, editor, publisher, and even artist. Some of his work was hokey but endearing, such as the Newsboy Legion or the original Sandman (without whom we wouldn't have the Neil Gaiman reimagining, because you can't have a reimagining without the imagining). He and Kirby basically invented romance comics.

But nothing they did struck a chord in the psyche like Captain America. Right up there with Superman and Batman and Spider-Man, Cap is one of the truly great comic book superheroes, one of the truly great characters.

Rest well, Mr. Simon, and thank you.

Comments

[bayushisan.livejournal.com]

My thoughts and prayers go out Mr. Simon's friends and family. May he rest well after such a long life.

[sdelmonte]

There's a photo I dug up at work today, of Joe Simon and Jerry Robinson (along with Irwin Hasen, the original artist on Green Lantern and Wildcat, and still with us) at the opening of a comic book related exhibition at The Jewish Museum. There was so much history in that image, the man behind the Joker and one of the men behind Captain America, two legends who were still active and vocal about the comics they made till the end. And both left this world within a few days.

We are sadder for having lost these icons. We are greater for having their creations. When we go back to the theater next summer to see The Avengers, it will be Joe and Jack's "living legend" up there once more, still representing the things he did way back when.

Sadness

[alverant.livejournal.com]

I heard this morning Christopher Hitchens has passed too.