The Comic Book Makers

by Joe Simon, Jim Simon

In this book, original Captain America creator, Joe Simon tells the compelling, definitive history of the creators who gave us Superman, Captain America, Archie, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and more. Meet the crime comics editor who would himself be accused of a gruesome murder; the horror artist who was periodically released from a mental hospital in order to meet his publishing dead-lines; the famous Senator Estes Kefauver, whose sub-committee investigated comic books as a cause of juvenile delinquency; and dozens of other fascinating personalities. Will Eisner said, "The Comic Book Makers is like a school reunion, lavish with anecdotes that fill in the gap of threadbare memory. The Comic Book Makers is avery valuable work by a member of one of the most important teams in comic book history. Joe Simon deserves applause."

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Comics, Biography, Memoir, Books About Books

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Joseph Henry "Joe" Simon (born Hymie Simon) was an American comic book writer, artist, editor, and publisher. Simon created or co-created many important characters in the 1930s-1940s Golden Age of Comic Books and served as the first editor of Timely Comics, the company that would evolve into Marvel Comics.

With his partner, artist Jack Kirby, he co-created Captain America, one of comics' most enduring superheroes, and the team worked extensively on such features at DC Comics as the 1940s Sandman and Sandy the Golden Boy, and co-created the Newsboy Legion, the Boy Commandos, and Manhunter. Simon & Kirby creations for other comics publishers include Boys' Ranch, Fighting American and the Fly. In the late 1940s, the duo created the field of romance comics, and were among the earliest pioneers of horror comics. Simon, who went on to work in advertising and commercial art, also founded the satirical magazine Sick in 1960, remaining with it for a decade. He briefly returned to DC Comics in the 1970s.

Simon was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1999.

Reviews

[Noninuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 glorious stars read!

I've learned a lot from this memoir of Joe Simon, of Simon & Kirby, a golden duo that created a lot of comics title in the golden era of American comic books. From how the industry works, survived, the roles of comics & the artists during WW2, who created Superman, Spiderman, Captain America (and those whole lot of superheroes) and their fate, where actually Stan Lee started his career etc etc. I found them fascinating!

To tell the truth, I am not a fan of western adventure/superhero comics. I grew up with manga and still am a fan them. I've tried The Contract With God Trilogy: Life on Dropsie Avenue which was said brought a revolution in creation of graphic novels but DNF-ed it about 40-70% in. What hold my attention in reading this memoir is the writing which has really smooth transitions from an anecdote to another. And may be because I am a big nerd of history itself. If you're someone who enjoys DC or Marvel Comics universe whether from the comic itself or their movies, you SHOULD read this!

[Mike Gibas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Simon has a way with an anecdote, and this a a great nostalgic hug of a book complete with some wonderful strips and illustrations. A perfect companion piece to his biography its tales of the young men who created a whole new art form is revealing and often heartbreaking. Joe has a huge ego, so his ‘talent’ is regular praised but he still has time for fulsome praise of many of his contemporaries. Wonderful stuff

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of early comics and the career of Joe Simon (as penned by him and his son). Learned a number of anecdotes I'd not heard before re: the early creators.