Interview: Joe Simon, The Man Who Created Captain America, Talks His 'Life in Comics'
Joe Simon is a living comic book legend, having created nearly half the industry all on his own. But his most lasting legacy to the world isn’t just the creation of the entire genre of romance comics, or pioneering the position of Editor in Chief, it’s one man: Captain America.
With a movie on the horizon, and the recent release of his amazing autobiography, “Joe Simon: My Life in Comics,” we were lucky enough to chat with Simon about career high points, low points, and of course… Brother Power The Geek:
MTV Geek: First of all, have you seen anything from the movie yet? Any thoughts?
Joe Simon: What I’ve seen looks great. The producers at Marvel Studios have been sending me clips and trailers, and I get a thrill every time I see something new. It’s an amazing feeling to see the shield up there on the screen. Now they’ve arranged for me to attend an invitation-only screening, and I can’t wait.
Geek: Can you talk a little bit about the genesis of Cap? How he came about, and what you think he means, as a character?
JS: Captain America was created to be the perfect foil for the ultimate villain, Adolf Hitler. At the same time he wasn’t just meant to be a propaganda device—he was designed to be one of us, and to represent all of us as the best America has to offer. Just as Jack Kirby did when he was alive, I consider this to be the greatest country in the world, and Captain America is a reflection of that feeling.
Geek: Cap has often been used as a metaphor for the prevailing feeling of America, quitting when the country was feeling disillusioned, regaining his costume and shield when they needed him again. Where do you think we are now as a country? What Cap do we need?
JS: America is facing the most dangerous times in its history, and as a result we need an icon like Captain America more than ever. Too many heroes have ambiguous ideals and motives, and it takes a hero like Cap to show us the way things ought to be. He represents the American ideal.
Geek: You were pretty vocal around the time Cap died, during Ed Brubaker’s run… Now that he’s back, and another Cap has just died (Bucky, in the guise of Captain America), what are your thoughts now?
JS: The other Captain America disturbed me, partly because they felt the need to re-design one of the most iconic costumes in comics, and partly because they gave him a gun. Neither of those things sat well with me. I don’t follow the series as closely as I should, since I’ve been working on projects like my autobiography and the Simon and Kirby Library. There just isn’t time. But it seems to me that going back to the original concept of Captain America is the right move.
Geek: Obviously these are company owned properties, but when something big happens like killing him off, do they check with you? Give you the heads up? Or do you find out with everyone else?
JS: The editor in chief at Marvel called me to let me know what they were planning when they did “The Death of Captain America,” and swore me to secrecy. It’s a lot like the way the filmmakers at Marvel Studios are keeping me up to date on the movie. I would say that my relationship with Marvel is as good now as it ever has been.
Geek: Do you have a favorite story about a Captain America fan? Something that really stuck in your mind as hilarious, exciting, flattering, or otherwise?
JS: There have been so many over they years, I can’t bring one in particular to mind. I’m just flattered when I attend the conventions, and so many people come to see me and tell me how much they appreciate everything Jack and I did for them. It makes me feel as if I’ve made a real difference in people’s lives.
Geek: Cap is of course an important part of your career, but you’ve also created plenty of other comics. Can you talk about some of your favorites?
JS: Because we just released a new book collecting all of the Fighting American stories, I’ve been revisiting those and have been reminded how terrific they were—Jack and I were at the peak of our prowess with those. The romance comics made me especially proud because we created an entire new genre of comic books. And both Jack and I loved the work we did on our westerns, Bulls Eye and The Kid Cowboys of Boys’ Ranch.
Geek: Brother Power The Geek seems to hold a cult following with current writers and artists… Why do you think he, in particular, has stood out?
JS: Brother Power was something completely different, and I think he was very misunderstood. His book sold very well, and fell victim to internal politics at DC Comics, so I think that if he had been given a chance, he would have lasted for many years.
Geek: You also were the first Editor-in-Chief in comics… There’s been a lot of turmoil with that position in the comic book industry lately. What do you think the title meant back then, and what does it mean now?
JS: As I revealed in my autobiography, I wasn’t the first editor in chief in comics. I was the first editor at Timely Comics, period. And before that I was an editor at Fox Comics. That caused a lot of confusion back in my first attempt to reclaim the copyrights for Captain America, and I had to explain it very carefully to the lawyers.
Geek: As someone who made their name when print comics were a newsstand media, selling in the millions, what’s your feeling on the state of the industry now? There’s clearly a lot of issues, from the decline of the Direct Market, to digital sales, so I’m curious to hear your take on things.
JS: I don’t know what’s going to happen with comic books, and if I did, I’d be rich. This entire move to digital publishing is very interesting to me, and it might be a way to get a lot of new readers in the future. It seems to me as if all of the young readers will be willing to read their comics that way before long.
Geek: Let’s talk about Joe Simon: My Life in Comics… What was it like to look back on your entire career like this?
JS: It was a wonderful journey, remembering the places, the times, and the people—the first time I came to New York City, my mecca, and when I met my wife-to-be up at the Harvey Comics offices. I suppose the surprise was that once I put it all together, there was so much to tell. I’m blessed to have my memory, and to have had the chance to put all of the stories together for everyone to enjoy. At least I hope they enjoy them. I certainly did.
Geek: Was there a moment – or moments – while putting together the book that was most exciting to revisit? Most painful?
JS: Like so many families, we had our share of difficulties, and tragedies. This was the first time I had really talked about those, and I’m pleased to say that we got through them. The loss of my wife was a difficult time, but thankfully I still have my children and good friends. I enjoyed revisiting the times Harriet and I had with Jack and Roz Kirby, but then in 1994 I had to deal with Jack’s passing the same year as Al Harvey left us.
Geek: I’m sure we all have this, but similar to the last question, when you wrote the book, was there anything you felt like, “If I had only done that differently…” And on a more positive note, is there anything you felt you did just right?
JS: I don’t want to give it all away, but a lot of people tell me how smart I was to put together the deal that enabled us to create the first romance comics. Well, as I say in the book, Joe wasn’t as smart as everyone thinks he was! In fact, looking back, we got very lucky that time. One of the best moves I ever made enabled me to hang onto the rights for Sick magazine, and that was a very dramatic moment in my life.
Geek: You hired Stan Lee for his first job, which you talk about in the book. Does he still owe you big time? I’m sort of kidding about this.
JS: Kirby hated Stan, and I never understood it, really. Stan did very well for himself, and he did it by being very smart, and making a lot of smart moves. We have a great relationship these days, I’m pleased to say.
Geek: You also had a long collaboration with Jack Kirby… What was it like working with him? What was your relationship like?
JS: I’ve been asked this question too many times to have anything new to say, and there’s so much of it in the book, too. What I can say is that there was only one Jack Kirby, and there was never a better artist or a better creative partner. I was lucky to have the chance to work with the best, and loved every minute of it.
Geek: Nowadays, very few comics creators do everything that you did: writing, penciling, inking, editing, etc… Why do you think that changed? And did it change for the better?
JS: Most people work at one aspect of the business, and I was lucky enough to be good at a lot of things. I think I got a lot of that from working in newspapers, where you need to know how to do a lot of different jobs. I was a writer, a photo retoucher, a cartoonist, and a photographer long before comics books ever came along.
Geek: Where do you think comics are going – or have to go next?
JS: I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. I’m not sure anyone can. These are exciting times, with the movies and the new ways to show people your work. E-books will probably change everything, as more and more young readers turn in that direction.
Geek: If you had to give one piece of advice to young comic book creators, what would it be?
JS: Do what you love. That’s going to keep you going through the deadlines and the late nights at the drawing board—at least as long as there are drawing boards. If you love what you’re doing, then it will all be worth it.
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