The co-creator along with
Jack Kirby of
Captain America,
Joe Simon passed away this week at the age of 98. I really need to stop writing these obituaries for creators. Known as one of the best artists and writers of all time, his contribution to the comic book medium is felt even to this day. He gained notoriety during what is known as
The Golden Age of comics. I watched a documentary about
DC at the beginning (known as
National then) and it is amazing the impact comic books had on society at the time.
Captain America aka
Steve Rogers was a weak man given the ability to transform his outer self to match the inner spirit within him. And his inner spirit was more patriotic than the President wrapped in the American flag and singing the
Star Spangled Banner and
National Anthem at the same time. What I mean to say is that he really loved his country. Armed with a shield and a pistol he whipped Nazis and even managed to sucker punch
Hitler right in the face.
The spirit of not only Captain America but Joe Simon lives on today with the live action film, cartoons, toy, and dozens of other items. If you see someone with a blue shirt with just a white star in the center you know who it represents. I own a Captain America shirt drawn in the old style and love it. Next year he will once again appear in the
Avengers film. To be able to create something that is still known and represented 70 years later is a great testament to Joe Simon’s imagination.
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