Latest news with #Shooter
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Legacy of a real straight Shooter
Jim Shooter, a hard-driving giant of a comic-book editor who took the helm at Marvel at the tender age of 27, then spent nearly a decade revolutionising the way superhero stories are written, drawn and sold, died June 30 at his home in Nyack, New York. He was 73. His son, Ben, confirmed the death but did not specify a cause. Shooter was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year. Powerfully built, with a looming 2m frame, Shooter dominated the comic-book world for much of the 1980s, reinvigorating an art form that had been in decline by finding new markets and new readers. Although he was not yet 30 when he took over at Marvel in 1978, he was already an industry veteran. He sold his first comic story, to DC, Marvel's rival, when he was just 14, and he worked for both companies while still a teenager. Saving the industry As editor-in-chief at Marvel, he rationalised what had been a chaotic operation, instituting a coherent editing process and driving his staff to meet deadlines. He pushed into the growing comic-store market, targeting dedicated fans over the casual reader. And he drove the company further into licensing opportunities, signing the sort of deals for toy and film adaptations that went on to make comics an enduring keystone of American popular culture. 'I honestly think he saved the comics industry,' Harry Broertjes, a journalist who once worked with Shooter, said in an interview. Shooter could be imperious, but he could also be generous, and he welcomed new talent to the Marvel fold. Shooter in 1993 in his office at Defiant Comics, one of the companies he founded after leaving Marvel. Photo: The New York Times/Jay Jay Jackson Emerging voices such as Frank Miller and Walter Simonson flourished under his watch, bringing a new, more sophisticated sensibility to the genre. He increased pay rates for writers and artists and gave them more control over their creative output. Marvel prospered in the 1980s. Not only did its sales and profits soar, but it also experienced a long run of landmark releases, among them Simonson's work on Thor; Miller's work with Klaus Janson on Daredevil; and Chris Claremont and John Byrne's on X-Men. Divisive character At the same time, Shooter brought a traditional vision to comic-book writing, insisting on simple, straightforward narratives. Among his many aphorisms was 'Every comic book could be a reader's first comic book,' and he made his writers find a way to introduce their main characters in each issue. His changes were divisive, especially among those who had enjoyed free rein under previous editors, above all Stan Lee, who put Marvel on the map with a new line of superhero titles in the 1960s. Several Marvel veterans left for DC. 'Some people swear by him, and other people swear at him,' Bill Sienkiewicz, an artist at Marvel during Shooter's tenure, said in an interview. In 1986, New World Entertainment bought Marvel's parent company, Marvel Entertainment Group, and a year later, the new owners fired Shooter. The feelings about his time at Marvel were so passionate that even years later, his critics spoke of him in brutal terms. 'From a creative standpoint, Jim Shooter's Marvel was, by and large, a wasteland of formulaic self-imitation and blatant profit-seeking,' Jordan Raphael and Tom Spurgeon wrote in their book Stan Lee And The Rise And Fall Of The American Comic Book (2003). But Shooter was equally beloved by many artists and fans, who saw the Shooter era at Marvel as the foundation for the efflorescence of comic-book storytelling in the decades that followed. 'Every bad thing you've heard about Jim Shooter has a bit of truth to it,' Danny Fingeroth, another Marvel writer under Shooter, said in an interview. 'But so does every good thing you've heard.' Love for Marvel James Charles Shooter was born Sept 27, 1951, in Pittsburgh. His father, Ken, was a steelworker, and his mother, Eleanor, managed the home. Jim's mother used children's comics to teach him to read, but he hadn't perused a comic book in years when, in 1963, he found himself in the hospital for minor surgery with a stack of Marvel and DC books to read. He loved what he saw in Marvel, but he found DC boring. As a challenge, he pulled out the narrative and artistic elements that he admired in Marvel and applied them to stories he wrote using DC characters. On a whim, he sent them to DC headquarters in New York. The editors liked them so much that they not only published them (with new art) but hired him to write for the company's Legion of Superheroes line. It was good timing: Union strikes and jobsite injuries had left his father unable to work, and his family needed the money. While still in high school, he wrote for DC's Superman and Supergirl titles, created several new members of the Legion of Superheroes, and in 1967, with artist Curt Swan, created a story pitting Superman and the Flash in a race — a hugely popular issue. After leaving Marvel, Shooter co-founded Valiant Comics, and wrote Harbinger, among other titles. Photo: Valiant Comics After being accepted at New York University and offered a job at Marvel, he moved to New York in 1969. He passed on school to take the job, but he quit after a few weeks because the pay was so low. He returned to Pittsburgh, got a job in advertising and, for several years, completely dropped out of the comic-book world. About five years later, a group of fans tracked him down and encouraged him to return to New York. Offered jobs at both DC and Marvel, he briefly worked for DC before choosing Marvel in 1976. Two years later, he was in charge. Shooter's marriage to Michele Minor ended in divorce. A complete list of survivors in addition to his son was not immediately available. Post-Marvel career After leaving Marvel, Shooter started a number of independent comic-book companies, including Valiant, Defiant and Broadway. Valiant met with some success, but all the companies eventually closed shop (though Valiant later reopened under new owners). He ended his career as creative editor for Illustrated Media, a company that creates customised comics. He also became a fixture on the comic convention circuit, where he would give lectures about storytelling. He had a simple message, built around the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet. In an economical 27 words and two sentences, he said, you have everything: a character, an action, a climax and a resolution. 'If you can remember Little Miss Muffet,' he wrote in an essay on his website, 'you can remember everything you need to know about the basic unit of entertainment, which is a story.' – ©2025 The New York Times Company
Boston Globe
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Jim Shooter, editor who ‘saved the comics industry,' dies at 73
Powerfully built, with a looming 6-foot-7 frame, Mr. Shooter dominated the comic-book world for much of the 1980s, reinvigorating an art form that had been in decline by finding new markets and new readers. Although he was not yet 30 when he took over at Marvel in 1978, he was already an industry veteran. He sold his first comic story, to DC, Marvel's rival, when he was just 14, and he worked for both companies while still a teenager. Advertisement As editor-in-chief at Marvel, he rationalized what had been a chaotic operation, instituting a coherent editing process and driving his staff to meet deadlines. He pushed into the growing comic-store market, targeting dedicated fans over the casual reader. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up And he drove the company further into licensing opportunities, signing the sort of deals for toy and film adaptations that went on to make comics an enduring keystone of American popular culture. 'I honestly think he saved the comics industry,' Harry Broertjes, a journalist who once worked with Mr. Shooter, said in an interview. Mr. Shooter could be imperious, but he could also be generous, and he welcomed new talent to the Marvel fold. Emerging voices such as Frank Miller and Walter Simonson flourished under his watch, bringing a new, more sophisticated sensibility to the genre. He increased pay rates for writers and artists and gave them more control over their creative output. Advertisement Marvel prospered in the 1980s. Not only did its sales and profits soar, but it also experienced a long run of landmark releases, among them Simonson's work on Thor; Miller's work with Klaus Janson on Daredevil; and Chris Claremont and John Byrne's on X-Men. At the same time, Mr. Shooter brought a traditional vision to comic-book writing, insisting on simple, straightforward narratives. Among his many aphorisms was 'Every comic book could be a reader's first comic book,' and he made his writers find a way to introduce their main characters in each issue. His changes were divisive, especially among those who had enjoyed free rein under previous editors, above all Stan Lee, who put Marvel on the map with a new line of superhero titles in the 1960s. Several Marvel veterans left for DC. 'Some people swear by him, and other people swear at him,' Bill Sienkiewicz, an artist at Marvel during Shooter's tenure, said in an interview. In 1986, New World Entertainment bought Marvel's parent company, Marvel Entertainment Group, and a year later, the new owners fired Mr. Shooter. The feelings about his time at Marvel were so passionate that even years later, his critics spoke of him in brutal terms. 'From a creative standpoint, Jim Shooter's Marvel was, by and large, a wasteland of formulaic self-imitation and blatant profit-seeking,' Jordan Raphael and Tom Spurgeon wrote in their book 'Stan Lee and the Rise and Fall of the American Comic Book' (2003). Advertisement But Mr. Shooter was equally beloved by many artists and fans, who saw the Shooter era at Marvel as the foundation for the efflorescence of comic-book storytelling in the decades that followed. 'Every bad thing you've heard about Jim Shooter has a bit of truth to it,' Danny Fingeroth, another Marvel writer under Mr. Shooter, said in an interview. 'But so does every good thing you've heard.' James Charles Shooter was born Sept. 27, 1951, in Pittsburgh. His father, Ken, was a steelworker, and his mother, Eleanor, managed the home. Jim's mother used children's comics to teach him to read, but he hadn't perused a comic book in years when, in 1963, he found himself in the hospital for minor surgery with a stack of Marvel and DC books to read. He loved what he saw in Marvel, but he found DC boring. As a challenge, he pulled out the narrative and artistic elements that he admired in Marvel and applied them to stories he wrote using DC characters. On a whim, he sent them to DC headquarters in New York. The editors liked them so much that they not only published them (with new art) but hired him to write for the company's Legion of Superheroes line. It was good timing: Union strikes and jobsite injuries had left his father unable to work, and his family needed the money. While still in high school, he wrote for DC's Superman and Supergirl titles, created several new members of the Legion of Superheroes, and in 1967, with artist Curt Swan, created a story pitting Superman and the Flash in a race — a hugely popular issue. After being accepted at New York University and offered a job at Marvel, he moved to New York in 1969. He passed on school to take the job, but he quit after a few weeks because the pay was so low. Advertisement He returned to Pittsburgh, got a job in advertising and, for several years, completely dropped out of the comic-book world. About five years later, a group of fans tracked him down and encouraged him to return to New York. Offered jobs at both DC and Marvel, he chose Marvel in 1976. Two years later, he was in charge. Mr. Shooter's marriage to Michele Minor ended in divorce. A complete list of survivors in addition to his son was not immediately available. After leaving Marvel, Mr. Shooter started a number of independent comic-book companies, including Valiant, Defiant and Broadway. Valiant met with some success, but all the companies eventually closed shop. He ended his career as creative editor for Illustrated Media, a company that creates customized comics. He also became a fixture on the comic convention circuit, where he would give lectures about storytelling. He had a simple message, built around the nursery rhyme 'Little Miss Muffet.' In an economical 27 words and two sentences, he said, you have everything: a character, an action, a climax and a resolution. 'If you can remember 'Little Miss Muffet,'' he wrote in an essay on his website, 'you can remember everything you need to know about the basic unit of entertainment, which is a story.' This article originally appeared in
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Jim Shooter, American editor who ‘saved the comics industry,' dies at 73
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Jim Shooter in 1993 (left). He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2024. NEW YORK - Jim Shooter, a hard-driving giant of a comic-book editor who took the helm at Marvel at the tender age of 27, then spent nearly a decade revolutionising the way superhero stories are written, drawn and sold, died on June 30 in his home in Nyack, New York. He was 73. His son Ben confirmed the death but did not specify a cause. Shooter was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2024. Powerfully built, with a looming 2m frame, Shooter dominated the comic-book world for much of the 1980s, reinvigorating an art form that had been in decline by finding new markets and new readers. Although he was not yet 30 when he took over at Marvel in 1978, he was already an industry veteran. He sold his first comic story to DC, Marvel's rival, when he was just 14, and he worked for both companies while still a teenager. As editor-in-chief at Marvel, he rationalised what had been a chaotic operation, instituting a coherent editing process and driving his staff to meet deadlines. He pushed into the growing comic-store market, targeting dedicated fans over the casual reader. And he drove the company further into licensing opportunities, signing the sort of deals for toy and film adaptations that went on to make comics an enduring keystone of American popular culture. 'I honestly think he saved the comics industry,' Mr Harry Broertjes, a journalist who once worked with Shooter, said in an interview. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Emerging voices such as Frank Miller and Walter Simonson flourished under his watch, bringing a new, more sophisticated sensibility to the genre. He increased pay rates for writers and artists and gave them more control over their creative output. Marvel prospered in the 1980s. Not only did its sales and profits soar, but it also experienced a long run of landmark releases, among them Simonson's work on Thor; Miller's work with Klaus Janson on Daredevil; and Chris Claremont and John Byrne's on X-Men. At the same time, Shooter brought a traditional vision to comic-book writing, insisting on simple, straightforward narratives. Among his many aphorisms was 'every comic book could be a reader's first comic book', and he made his writers find a way to introduce their main characters in each issue. His changes were divisive, especially among those who had enjoyed free rein under previous editors, above all Stan Lee, who put Marvel on the map with a new line of superhero titles in the 1960s. Several Marvel veterans left for DC. 'Some people swear by him, and other people swear at him,' Bill Sienkiewicz, an artist at Marvel during Shooter's tenure, said in an interview. In 1986, New World Entertainment bought Marvel's parent company, Marvel Entertainment Group, and a year later, the new owners fired Shooter. The feelings about his time at Marvel were so passionate that even years later, his critics spoke of him in brutal terms. 'From a creative standpoint, Jim Shooter's Marvel was, by and large, a wasteland of formulaic self-imitation and blatant profit-seeking,' authors Jordan Raphael and Tom Spurgeon wrote in their book, Stan Lee And The Rise And Fall Of The American Comic Book (2003). But Shooter was equally beloved by many artists and fans, who saw the Shooter era at Marvel as the foundation for the efflorescence of comic-book storytelling in the decades that followed. 'Every bad thing you've heard about Jim Shooter has a bit of truth to it,' Danny Fingeroth, another Marvel writer under Shooter, said in an interview. 'But so does every good thing you've heard.' James Charles Shooter was born on Sept 27, 1951, in Pittsburgh. His father Ken was a steelworker and his mother Eleanor managed the home. Jim's mother used children's comics to teach him to read, but he had not perused a comic book in years when, in 1963, he found himself in the hospital for minor surgery with a stack of Marvel and DC books to read. He loved what he saw in Marvel, but he found DC boring. As a challenge, he pulled out the narrative and artistic elements that he admired in Marvel and applied them to stories he wrote using DC characters. On a whim, he sent them to DC headquarters in New York. The editors liked them so much that they not only published them - with new art - but hired him to write for the company's Legion Of Superheroes line. It was good timing: Union strikes and jobsite injuries had left his father unable to work, and his family needed the money. While still in high school, he wrote for DC's Superman and Supergirl titles, created several new members of the Legion Of Superheroes, and in 1967, with artist Curt Swan, created a story pitting Superman and The Flash in a race – a hugely popular issue. After being accepted at New York University and offered a job at Marvel, he moved to New York in 1969. He passed on school to take the job, but he quit after a few weeks because the pay was so low. He returned to Pittsburgh, got a job in advertising and, for several years, completely dropped out of the comic-book world. About five years later, a group of fans tracked him down and encouraged him to return to New York. Offered jobs at both DC and Marvel, he chose Marvel in 1976. Two years later, he was in charge. Shooter's marriage to Ms Michele Minor ended in divorce. A complete list of survivors in addition to his son was not immediately available. After leaving Marvel, Shooter started a number of independent comic-book companies, including Valiant, Defiant and Broadway. Valiant met with some success, but all the companies eventually closed shop. He ended his career as creative editor for Illustrated Media, a company that creates customised comics. NYTIMES
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jim Shooter, renowned for 80s Marvel Comics, dies at 73
Jim Shooter, the influential former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief who steered the publisher through a transformative decade in the 1980s, has died at the age of 73 following a long battle with esophageal cancer. Shooter, who entered the comics industry at just 14 with scripts for DC's Superboy, was known for reshaping Marvel into a commercial powerhouse. Named Marvel's ninth editor-in-chief in 1978, Shooter guided the company through the transition to the direct market and helped establish a creative boom. Under his leadership, titles like X-Men, Daredevil, and New Mutants soared in popularity, while Marvel pioneered graphic novels, mini-series, and crossover events that became industry staples. Shooter's tenure was not without controversy. Known for his firm editorial control and high standards, he clashed with creators over storylines, most famously insisting that Phoenix die in X-Men to maintain narrative integrity. Despite internal tensions, his editorial reign is credited with elevating Marvel's output and ensuring its survival during a volatile economic period. After leaving Marvel in 1987, Shooter co-founded Valiant Comics, which briefly rivalled the major publishers before his departure in 1992. He also launched several other publishing ventures, including Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, with mixed success.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jim Shooter, comic book legend and Marvel editor, passes away at 73
Jim Shooter, the man who led Marvel Comics through a game-changing era in the 1980s, has died at the age of 73. He had been battling esophageal cancer. His death on June 30 has sparked heartfelt tributes across the comic book world, as fans and creators remember both his bold leadership and the lasting mark he left on the industry. Shooter started writing comics when he was just 14. He got his first break at DC Comics with stories for Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. By the time he was in his twenties, he had already become a recognised name. But it was at Marvel where his impact reached new heights. The Marvel Era and Jim Shooter's legacy In 1978, Jim Shooter was named editor-in-chief of Marvel. At the time, the company was struggling with poor sales, missed deadlines, and a lack of clear direction. Shooter stepped in with a clear vision, strict rules, and a deep understanding of the fans. We are deeply saddened to hear Jim Shooter, former Editor-in-Chief, has passed away. Jim redefined the comic industry, and we will reflect on his undeniable legacy in the coming days. Our hearts are with his loved ones, and the many creators and fans who were touched by his work. — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 1, 2025 Under his watch, Marvel launched hit titles and big events that boosted sales and brought new readers in. The X-Men became a phenomenon. Creators like Frank Miller and Walter Simonson flourished. Shooter also pushed new ideas like graphic novels and crossover events, helping the company dominate the comic book market in the 1980s. But not everything was smooth. Shooter's strict management style caused friction with writers and artists. Some say he was too demanding. Others argue he fought hard to protect creators' rights and raise the quality of comics. His decision to kill off Phoenix in the X-Men remains one of the most debated moments in comic book history. After leaving Marvel in 1987, Shooter started new companies like Valiant Comics and Defiant Comics. While these had moments of success, they often ended in conflict. Even so, Shooter never stopped pushing boundaries and trying new things in comics. In his later years, he shared his experiences on his blog and appeared at comic conventions. Fellow creators like Paul Levitz and Bill Sienkiewicz paid tribute to his passion and drive. Shooter may have divided opinions, but most agree he helped save Marvel at a crucial time.
