Jim Shooter: Looking Back on the Late Comic Great
The comics world lost a giant tonight.
Jim Shooter has passed away at the age of 73, and while many knew him better than I did, I wanted to share a few personal words.
We were more like recurring characters in each other’s stories—often crossing paths at shows like Heroes Con and the Little Giant Old School Comic Show. Over the years, it felt like we were two pinballs bouncing around the same machine—always ricocheting close enough to share a few words, a laugh, or a knowing nod of mutual respect.
Jim’s impact on comics is impossible to overstate. He was Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics from 1978 (the year I was born) to 1987, overseeing an era that defined the medium. But his legend began even earlier. At just 13 years old, Jim broke into the industry writing Legion of Super-Heroes stories so polished, DC editor Mort Weisinger had no idea he was still in middle school. That kind of talent doesn’t come around often.
Though I never worked directly under Jim, I did find ways to honor his influence in my own work. One of my favorite covers I’ve done was a Killer Kare Bears piece that paid homage to his work as a writer on Secret Wars #8. Jim signed the original mosaic at Heroes Con in 2023, and that signature meant more to me than he probably knew. I’ll post a photo of that in the comments.
Later, I paid tribute again—this time to his iconic Rai #0 cover—when I created Rai: Book of the Darque #1 for Showcase Comics.
The last time I saw him was at a dinner after the Old School Comic Show this past April. In hindsight, it may have been the final convention he ever attended. I’m glad I got to see him one last time.
Jim’s presence was larger than life, but he always made time for fans and fellow creators. He was one of those rare people who seemed to carry the entire history of comics with him—and yet never looked down on the rest of us for showing up a little later.
Rest in power, you mad giant. We love you now the same way we love our friends we haven’t seen in ages. We’ll smile at the thought of you and remember the good old days.
Thank you, Jim, for everything.