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 quintesessential 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Illustrated profusely with both published and unpublished pieces from industry giants, his artwork for Boys Ranch, The Boy Commandos, The Fighting American, and ghost work for Palooka and Capp are represented in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,.

Comic Book Makers is available from Vanguard Productions, (www.creativemix.com/Vanguard) or your local comic store.

Julius Schwartz: Man to Two Worlds: My Life in Science Fiction and Comics.

Stan Lee: Excelsior

Reviewed by: Tim Lasiuta

Comments? Letter Bombs? tlasiuta@telusplanet.net or tlasiuta@penguincomics.net