Captain America Creator Joe Simon's 100th Birthday

It was 100 years ago today, on 11 October 2013, that comic book writer and artist Joe Simon was born. With Jack Kirby he created Captain America, as well as Manhunter,  the Newsboy Legion, and  the Boy Commandos. Together Messrs. Simon and Kirby virtually created the romance genre with Young Romance in 1947.  On his own he created created Blue Bolt, Brother Power, and Prez. Sadly, Mr. Simon died on 14 December 2011. You can read my eulogy on the blog here.

In tribute to Mr. Simon, here is some of his work over the years.

The historic first issue of Captain America, March 1941.

 

 

A classic Adventure Comics cover featuring Simon and Kirby's version of Sandman.

Adventure is My Career, a one shot comic book created by Joe Simon and cartoonist Milton Gross to help drive up enlistment in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. During the war, Mr. Simon served in the Coast Guard.

Young Romance #1, September/October 1947. Created by Simon and Kirby, it's believed to be the very first romance comic book.

Captain America was not the only patriotic themed superhero created by Simon and Kirby. They also created The Fighting American while at Crestwood. Here is the first issue of his short lived title, dated April/May 1954.

At Archie Comics Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created The Fly. This is the first issue of his title, dated August 1959. He would prove to one of the more popular superheroes in the Archie line. His original title lasted until 1964. He later returned under the name Fly-Man in a run that lasted from May 1965 to September 1966.

In 1968 Joe Simon returned to National Periodical Publications, where he created Brother Power the Geek. While Joe Simon had created the character, the art was actually by Al Bare. Regardless, it only lasted two issues.

Prez, August-September 1973. One of Joe Simon's last regular titles. The comic book centred on the first teenage President of the United States. It lasted four issues.