Joe & Jim Simon's The Comic Book Makers

This is Joe Simon's autobiographical history of the comics written with Jim Simon. Comic book writer, artist and publisher, Simon was one of the pivotal creators in the history of the medium.

After creating Captain America and other comic book properties, Simon became the first editor of the company now known as Marvel. Simon also created, often with the legendary Simon and Kirby Studios, Fighting American, The Boy Commandos, produced the first Captain Marvel comic book. With Young Romance and Young Love, Simon invented love comics. Simon is recognized among veterans of the comic book industry as the creator of the original Spiderman.

As Marvel Comics noted in their recent best-selling hardcover book of the author's 1950 masterpiece, Fighting American, " Joe Simon and Jack Kirby are quite possibly the most successful collaborators in the history of comics...Their influence on the comics field is still powerfully felt today."

"The Comic Book Makers is a most enjoyable read about the unusual and very American medium, the comic book. Joe Simon is one of the very best." -David Garland, Host, WNYC-FM Public Radio

"...fascinating and vivid account of your life in comics. I'm especially grateful that some of the true history of comics is at last being recorded, as opposed to the myths and corporate rewrites that have been handed down for decades." -Paul Gravett, Co-Editor, Escape

"The Comic Book Makers is like a school reunion. Lavish with anecdotes that fill in the gap of threadbare memory. A very valuable work by a member of one of the most important teams in comic book history. Joe Simon deserves applause." -Will Eisner, artist and author, The Spirit

"...one of the masters of comic book art." -M. Thomas Inge, Comics as Culture

"I've read it and recommend it highly...not only for its amazing stories of the medium's beginnings and life with Kirby, Wally Wood, Bob Powell, Al Capp and so many, many others, but for its intriguing historical bonuses like the Simon & Kirby classics (Boy Commandos, Bullseye, etc.), the '50s congressional testimony on comics and the secret origin of Spider-Man." -David McDonnell, Editor, Comics Scene

This is a must-have volume for any serious comic book collector or historian!

A very fun and fascinating read, February 27, 2006

By	RaP (New York)

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who grew up reading comic books in the 30s, the 40s, the 50s and the 60s. Joe Simon a pioneer in the industry, shows how the fictional world of comic books was a reflection of the real world with its trials and tribulations. The book puts fact and reality to fantasy characters. It is a truly fun and fascinating read. Lots of great memories for pre-baby boomers and baby boomers alike.

Wonderful Kaleidosccope View of the Culture of Early Comic Books, January 15, 2005

By	Iconophoric

The point of view this book provides is truly one of a kind. With writer Jim Simon bringing Joe Simon's stories to life, it's the most well-written first hand Greatest Generation take on the American comic book. Joe Simon wore every hat during the golden age of comics: artist, writer, editor and publisher. He got around, knew all the big creative names, all the industry power brokers, as well as the mainstays of the business as it used to be, like page erasers and shop gofers. He knows the big stories, the scandals and lawsuits of the period. But the thing I value most about this book may be the small stories. It gives you a real sense of what it was like at the offices of Timely, DC and Harvey back in the day. This well-illustrated volume gives you a real texture and taste of a time that will never be repeated. For that, it's worth many times the price.

Highest recommendation.

The Real history of Comics..., May 16, 2004

By	"cowboyfantim" (Canada)

The top headline of the book says it all.

"The Young men in the golden age of Comic Books were as bizarre as the characters they created."

Joe Simon was one of those men. He, along with Jack Kirby, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, and a host of others toiled in the early comic book trenches blanketed in anonymity for decades. The major creators were well paid for a time, then their fortunes fell and many died in poverty, obscurity, and bitterness. Fortunately, with the rise of Comic Book Scholars and Historians, and the growing necessity to record the events of the Golden Age of Comics, we have `Comic Book Makers.'

The history of comic books is a twisted story. Fraught with danger, and drama, the publisher vs artist/writer power struggle threatened to destroy the very industry in its' infancy. Publishers like Donenfield, and Martin became wealthy, while those who created their `power', struggled to survive. Joe Simon was there. Bob Kane was there. And today, after decades of denial of many of the creators have finally received their due.

The Comic Book Makers is a powerful, and lively book. Co-written by one of comicdoms greatest talents, it exposes the comic book industry at its' creative and financial peak. Joe Simon was there for many of the quintessential moments. Co-creator of Captain America, friend of Siegel and Shuster, associate of Bob Kane, and long time friend of Stan Lee, he has been privy to many of the critical times in the industry.

Written in an episodal format, in each chapter he discusses the history of comics from various perspectives, and includes fascinating first person stories about the many influential comics professionals. Details of his conversations with Martin Goodman, Will Eisner, Victor Fox, Jacob Kurtzberg (Jack Kifby), Stan Lee (Stanley Lieber), Charles Biro, Creig Flessel, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Jack Liebowitz, Alfred Harvey, Allan Harvey, Harvey Kurtzman, William Gaines, Ham Fisher, Al Capp, add significant value to the book, giving it a `history' feel.

Sections on the Captain America wars with Marvel Comics, the witch hunt of the 1950's that led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, his untold origin of Spider Man from 1953, Simon and Kirby's creation of the Romance Comic, and his last flings with King Kirby at DC on Sandman add more flavour to this tasty comic book morsel.

Illustrated profusely with both published and unpublished pieces from industry giants, his artwork for Boys Ranch, The Boy Commandoes, The Fighting American, and ghost work for Palooka and Capp are represented in loving detail. The life of Joe Simon was NOT one of mediocrity, but one of creative excellence.

The Comic Book Makers is a joy to read, a joy to look at, and a book that I am proud to say that I own. Thanks Mr Simon..

Deserves to be on the Shelf of any Comic Fan, April 17, 2004

By	The Midwest Book Review

There is an old adage that goes something like; "Don't walk the walk unless you can talk the talk", and I have to say, when it comes to the history of comic books, Joe Simon can walk it and talk it with the best of them-he was there. He created or co-created: Captain America and Bucky, Boy Commandoes, Fighting American, Boys Ranch, The Fly, Manhunter, Sandman, The Newsboy Legion, the entire genre of romance comics and more. He worked on Dick Tracy, Captain Marvel, Joe Palooka, and many others uncredited. He was the first Editor-in-Chief at Marvel Comics, and at various times an editor at DC Comics, Archie, Harvey, and Fox Comics. His work has appeared in the New York Times, used for the Olympics, and he has been inducted into the International Comic Book Hall of Fame. Whew.

With The Comic Book Makers, Mr. Simon, along with his son Jim, have created a memoir regarding the early days of the comic industry, which is impressive in its execution. Do not think that this is some dry history lesson. Joe and writer Jim Simon make the past come to life with humorous anecdotes and gorgeous full and half page art from some of the biggest names in the field at the time. Artists like Lou Fine, Dick Briefer, Joe Shuster, and Mr. Simon's frequent partner Jack Kirby, in glorious black and white so you can see the pages as they were intended. There is also a beautiful color section highlighting the art of such luminaries Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, as well as Mr. Simon's own work-truly beautiful.

He shares stores with such insight that even I, a long time comic fan and bit of an historian myself, learned something new-and let me tell you, that is no easy feat. The style of storytelling, as his art, is crisp and dynamic, humorous and insightful. You will learn new facts about the sale of Superman to National Periodical Publications, the near sweatshop conditions that artists used to work under, the birth of Captain America and the development of the character for the Saturday morning movie serials. He talks about the lawsuit of Superman vs. Captain Marvel regarding copyright infringement, and the birth of many characters; some faded into the annals of obscurity, while others have become classics like Li'l Abner and The Spirit.

I should also mention the beautiful work done by the publisher. I have had the pleasure to review several of their books, and I have to compliment them of the consistent quality and care to details they have shown with each of the releases I have read. This company is striving to honor the forbearers of the industry, and it shows in the work they do-my compliments to them.

The Comic Book Makers by Joe Simon and Jim Simon deserves to be on the shelf of any comic fan; it doesn't matter if they have been reading for decades or just picked up their first issue not too long ago. It is always important to know the roots of anything you love, and this shows them with the love and respect they deserve from a man who was there-and it just don't get no better than that.