Chad Burdette
Yesterday the comic book world was shocked to learn of the passing of Jim Shooter, the former writer, Marvel Editor-in-Chief, and publisher of multiple imprints had passed at the age of 73 after an extended battle with cancer.
Writer Mark Waid confirmed the news, saying that Shooter had been suffering from esophageal cancer for a few years.
Born on September 27, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Jim’s interest in comics began during his childhood. At age 13, in mid-1965, Shooter, a fan of the Legion of Super-Heroes, wrote and drew stories featuring the futuristic heroes and submitted to DC Comics, which at the age of 14, began his career in comics Shooter selling stories, writing for both Action Comics and Adventure Comics, beginning with Adventure Comics No. 346 (July 1966), along with providing pencil breakdowns as well for the issues.
In 1976, Shooter joined the Marvel staff as an assistant editor and writer and rapidly found himself rising in the ranks, succeeding Archie Goodwin in 1978 to become Marvel’s ninth editor-in-chief. During his tenure as Editor-in-Chief, he oversaw classic runs such as Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men, Byrne’s Fantastic Four, Daredevil by Frank Miller, the crafting of Norse mythology with the Marvel Universe’s Thor by Walter Simonson, and runs on both Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man by Roger Stern.
After leaving Marvel in 1987 after being fired, Shooter would go on to found three other comic imprints: Valiant, Defiant, and Broadway, with varying success in the 90s.
Since the news became public, an outpouring of tributes and condolences were given by both comic professionals and fans alike.
The staff of Comic Watch extends condolences to Jim Shooter’s family and friends in this time of loss.
Rest In Peace
