First Comics News: Jesse Simon, firstly, a pleasure to meet you, so to speak! As the grandson of Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America (1940), I have to assume you’ve probably had an interesting life! You previously did an online Kickstarter about a ‘Shieldmaster’ comic book, which, regrettably, I’ve never seen, except as images, online. And, those color comics cover images are nothing less than amazing! So, of course, I have heard about it and have been excited by it, but I haven’t, as yet, seen nor had the pleasure to read the actual comic. It is something I’ve long wanted to acquire, and it is on my written Want List. I’m going to see if one of my local comic stores can somehow order it for me. Although, I am guessing that as a Kickstarter, it perhaps did not go to comic stores. Would that be correct? If you have any copies left, I’d love to buy one from you, instead! Is that even a possibility? If not, I’ll inquire about it at those stores.
Jesse Simon: Thanks, Phil! That Kickstarter was a tremendous success! Our comics have been doing well, and our following continues to grow. We’re considering expanding into comic shops, but for now, we primarily sell directly to consumers. We truly value our customers, and I especially enjoy hearing from them. They tell me directly what they want, and I do my best to make it happen. It’s an incredible experience!
1st: So, about Shieldmaster, Firstly (pun intended), WHEN did Shieldmaster come out, and was it a one-shot, or a limited comics series?
Jesse: ShieldMaster was created in 1998 by my father, Jim Simon. He brought the idea to his father, Joe Simon, with whom he had a long history of collaboration. Ever since he was a kid, my father would pose for reference, share ideas, and inspire Joe’s work. As he grew older, their relationship evolved, eventually leading them to co-author The Comic Book Makers. Under my father’s direction, Joe sketched early prototypes of ShieldMaster and explored various shield designs. He was enthusiastic about the character and believed it had great potential. However, Jim never focused heavily on comics or ShieldMaster, resulting in the character’s rare appearances—until recently. As I became interested in publishing, I saw an opportunity to bring ShieldMaster to a new and larger audience. My father and I have since begun creating new stories and expanding the ShieldMaster universe. Originally, only one issue of ShieldMaster was released as a graphic novel in 2011. However, we have since relaunched it in comic book form, and now have multiple issues out, with more on the way.
1st: I loved that book, The Comic Book Makers, having bought and read it from cover to cover, many times, from when it first came out! I’m also aware that Captain America was the second costumed superhero whose outfit was inspired by the American flag, the first being MLJ’s (the early 1940s, later Archie Comics’) The (first) Shield comics character, alias ‘Joe Higgins’. Captain America was first introduced on the newsstands on December 20th, 1940, during World War Two. Although Captain America as a character has had a much more extensive, prolific ic, and lengthy ‘career in comics. Joe Simon’s and Jack Kirby’s Captain America is known worldwide, a property up there and as well-known as Mickey Mouse and Coca-Cola! Thus, Captain America is truly an iconic character.
1st: Joe Simon, as the co-creator and writer for Captain America, as well as numerous other famous comic characters, co-created with Jack Kirby, including The Boy Commandos, The Newsboy Legion, The Sandman, The Stuntman, Fighting American, and oh-so-many more… Were you and your granddad, Joe Simon, close? It’s my understanding that from what I have read in the comics fan press magazines and online, Joe Simon seemed well-loved by anyone who ever met him. He seemed to have the type of personality wherein he just made friends, wherever he went!
Jesse: As far back as I can remember, I would proudly mention in class that my grandfather created Captain America. It was something I had always been proud of, even as a kid. But to me, he was just my grandfather—someone who made me laugh with his jokes, excitedly told me there was ice cream in the freezer, and, perhaps most uniquely, both encouraged and criticized my drawings. Even now, whenever I smell a cigar being smoked or see Captain America anywhere, it reminds me of him and takes me right back to being a kid in his apartment. He was truly one of a kind, leaving a mark on everyone he met, even if only briefly. He had a great sense of humor and was as opinionated as the word itself. I still bump into friends and collaborators of his at shows and events, and they still reminisce about working with him. It is heartwarming that, even after all these years, he hasn’t been forgotten.
1st: That’s great, Jesse! Joe Simon and Jack Kirby will never be forgotten. They are both regarded in the comic book industry as Giants! You are good at imagery; just by reading your words, I can always smell the cigar smoke. When I was younger, I used to enjoy smoking wine and rum flavour-tipped ‘cigarillos’! It’s been a lot of years now since I quit smoking. Was Shieldmaster your granddad’s (Joe Simon), your dad’s (Jim Simon), or your creation, or possibly a combination of all three?
Jesse: Jim Simon created ShieldMaster. Jim and I have continued to develop the mythos and future storylines.
1st: Did you ever meet Jack Kirby? And, if so, what can you tell our readers about him?
Jesse Simon: I never met Jack, but my father did. He remembers growing up across the street from Jack. I do keep in contact with Jack’s family, though. They have always felt like family to me, and I’ve found that to be a common theme among other comic creators’ descendants.
1st: you have a new Kickstarter out. What can you tell our readers about it?
Jesse: This new Kickstarter campaign features a brand-new limited series, In Pursuit of: Dead-Bolt!, as well as the first issue of a Simon and Kirby classic, Strange World of Your Dreams! We also have the second issue of our new parody magazine, PATHETIC!, which has been a hit among comic and pop culture fans! And last but not least, Larry Lieber (co-creator of Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, etc.) is releasing his first novel, Chirps, which is being offered here, first.
1st: Oh, I love the Golden Age 1940s comics, Strange World of Your Dreams is an obscure one. Can you shine some light on the title?
Jesse: This is one of the reasons I chose it. There are so many jewels by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby that are obscure and have been lost to time. Well, not anymore! Strange World of Your Dreams is a horror/ mystery comic. Advertised by Joe and Jack as being based on real dreams that people sent in, these dreams depict reality on a different plane! The art is FANTASTIC, featuring classic artwork by Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, and Mort Meskin. Talk about a dream team! (Pun intended.)
1st: I love both Kirby and Meskin’s art! Can you tell our readers a synopsis of sorts, of what In Pursuit of: Dead-Bolt is about?
Jesse: In Pursuit of Dead-Bolt is the gripping story of Derek – an African-American former cop and the man who would be known as Dead-Bolt – wrongfully condemned to death row for the brutal murder of his girlfriend. Branded a killer, Derek’s world shatters as he faces execution, but fate intervenes when lightning strikes during his electrocution, unlocking a terrifying new power within him. Escaping the prison in a storm of fury, Derek assumes the name Dead-Bolt and embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth and clear his name. Driven by vengeance and fueled by newfound abilities, Dead-Bolt battles a corrupt system that has betrayed him, stopping at nothing to reclaim his life, and his honor. If you loved the movie The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, then you’ll love this! It has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid.
1st: That was a great movie, as was its’ sequel, U.S. Marshalls. And, of course, The Fugitive movie was based on the 191960she Fugitive TV series, starring a favorite actor of mine, the late David Janssen. I have that whole TV series on DVD sets and have watched them all. I’m not familiar with the title Pathetic, but I gather it is the type of comics magazine in the vein of Mad, and follow-up vintage titles like Sick!, Whack, Madhouse, Flip, Panic, and others in that vein; all of those were always enormously entertaining! And then there was a comic magazine of that type entitled ‘Eh?’ That last one should have been Canadian, haha! I look forward to seeing Pathetic! Is Pit synthetic new material, or reprinted vintage material? Either way, it is surely something to look forward to! There simply is a dearth of humor comic magazines in the new comics market, these days! What can you tell us about it?
Jesse: The idea for PATHETIC! stStemmedrom my love for vintage magazines with great covers that captured key moments in pop culture history. SICK Magazine and MAD Magazine were my favorites. It’s a shame that, despite MAD Magazine’s history and brand awareness, it isn’t relevant today. It’s truly MAD! I’m overflowing with ideas about what I would do if I owned Alfred E. Neuman, but alas, I cannot change that. However, I do have PATHETIC! and my mascot, Gary Valentine. Currently, the interiors feature a mix of new and old materials. A lot of it consists of obscure vintage content that captures the look and feel of CRACKED, SICK, MAD, and others. It has brought a smile to the faces of everyone who grew up with those books. I suggest everyone start collecting it each month as we debut new covers that reflect and capture what’s happening in pop culture and the world today! Hey- don’t be PATHETIC!—just read it!
1st: Ha, ha, awesome! Jesse, thank you so very much for taking the time to talk to me about the many comics projects on your Kickstarters; I enjoyed chatting with you a great deal! Thanks again!
— Phil Latter for FirstComicsNews.Com
Visit Jesse’s Kickstarter at Kickstarter.com
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