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James Charles Shooter (September 27, 1951 – June 30, 2025) was an American writer, editor and publisher in the comics industry. Beginning his career writing for DC Comics at the age of 14, he had a successful but controversial run as editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics, and launched comics publishers Valiant Comics, Defiant Comics, and Broadway Comics.
According to Shooter, his father earned little as a steelworker, and Shooter saw comic-book writing as a means of helping support the family. Shooter reflected in a 2010 interview:
At 14, Shooter began selling stories to DC Comics, writing for both Action Comics and Adventure Comics, beginning with Adventure Comics #346 (July 1966), and providing pencil breakdowns as well. With considerable study of the writing style of DC Comics and of the recently rising Marvel Comics, Shooter created several characters for the Legion of Super-Heroes that benefited by him being one of the few writers at DC to understand the competitor's successful character-based narrative approach.Irving, Christopher (July 20, 2012). "Jim Shooter's Secret Origin, in his Own Words – Part One" . Graphic NYC. This included Legionnaires Karate Kid, Ferro Lad, and Princess Projectra, as well as the villainous group known as the Fatal Five. He also created the Superman villain Parasite in Action Comics #340 (Aug. 1966).McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 118: "With a story written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Al Plastino, the Parasite entered Superman's life." Shooter and artist Curt Swan devised the first race between the Barry Allen and Superman, two characters known for their superhuman speed, in "Superman's Race with the Flash!" in Superman #199 (Aug. 1967).McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 124: "Since the dawn of comics' Silver Age, readers have asked 'Who's faster: Superman or the Flash?' Writer Jim Shooter and artist Curt Swan tried answering that question when the Man of Steel and the Fastest Man Alive agreed to the U.N.'s request to race each other for charity." Shooter wrote the first issue of Captain Action (Oct.-Nov. 1968), which was DC's first toy Brand licensing.
In 1969, Shooter was accepted into New York University, but after graduating from high school he successfully applied for a job at Marvel Comics. Unable to pursue both his studies and work for Marvel, he decided against going to New York University and quit working for DC as well. While at Marvel, Shooter worked as an editor and occasional co-plotter, taking his residence at the YMCA. After only three weeks, Shooter gave up the post due to his financial situation and returned to Pittsburgh.
After leaving Marvel, Shooter took up work in advertising concepts, writing, and illustration for several years, supporting himself through several menial jobs during periods when advertising work was unavailable. An interview for a Legion of Super-Heroes fanzine led to his again applying to both Marvel and DC. Though both companies offered him work, Shooter opted to return to DC because they had offered him more prestigious assignments: Superman and a chance to again write the Legion of Super-Heroes, now in their own book, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. However, Shooter's relationships with both Superman editor Julius Schwartz and Legion editor Murray Boltinoff were unpleasant, and he claimed that both forced him to do unnecessary rewrites. In December 1975, Marvel editor-in-chief Marv Wolfman called to offer Shooter an editorial position.
With the quick turnover at the top, Shooter rapidly found himself rising in the ranks, and on the first working day of January 1978, he succeeded Archie Goodwin to become Marvel's ninth editor-in-chief. The Secret Origin of Jim Shooter, Editor in Chief – Part 2 During this period, publisher Stan Lee relocated to Los Angeles to better oversee Marvel's animation, television and film projects, leaving Shooter largely in charge of the creative decision-making at Marvel's New York City headquarters. Although there were complaints among some that Shooter imposed a dictatorial style on the "Bullpen", he cured many of the procedural ills at Marvel, successfully managed to keep the line of books on schedule (ending the widespread practice of missed deadlines popularly known as "the Dreaded Deadline Doom"), added new titles, and developed new talent.Rozanski, Chuck. "Tales From the Database: Meeting with Jim Shooter in May of 1979," Comics Buyer's Guide (Feb 2004). Accessed April 11, 2009. Shooter in his nine-year tenure as editor-in-chief oversaw Chris Claremont and John Byrne's run on the Uncanny X-Men, Byrne's work on Fantastic Four,Daniels "The Marvel Universe (1978–1990)", p. 187: "In 1981 artist John Byrne left The X-Men to take on The Fantastic Four ... Byrne's approach worked, and it was a harbinger of things to come: throughout the 1980s popular artists turned themselves into writer-artists and dedicated themselves to reaffirming the appeal of Marvel's classic characters." Frank Miller's series of Daredevil stories,Daniels "The Marvel Universe (1978–1990)", p. 188: "Few people have had more of an impact on the course that current comic books have taken than Frank Miller, who began drawing Daredevil in 1979, and took on the writing as well in 1981." Walt Simonson's crafting of Norse mythology with the Marvel Universe in Thor,Daniels "The Marvel Universe (1978–1990)", p. 196: "Walter Simonson, another major writer-artist came into his own at Marvel when he went to work on Thor in 1983 ... The stories that resulted exemplified Simonson's approach." and Roger Stern's runs on both Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man.
In 1981, Shooter brought Marvel into the lucrative comic book specialty shop market with Dazzler #1.Tom DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 200: " Dazzler No. 1 sold 428,000 copies and proved that comic book stores were here to stay." Featuring a disco-themed heroine with ties to the X-Men (based upon an unmade film that had been set to star Bo Derek),Cronin, Brian (June 26, 2008). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #161" . Comic Book Resources. the first issue of this series was sold only through direct market, bypassing the then-standard newsstand/spinner rack distribution route altogether, as recognition by Marvel of the growing comics shop sector. Subsequent issues of Dazzler were sold through newsstand [returnable] accounts as well. Dazzler was the first direct sales-only ongoing series from a major publisher; other Marvel titles, such as Marvel Fanfare and Ka-Zar, soon followed.DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 195: "Marvel made three of its monthly titles – Moon Knight, Micronauts, and Ka-Zar – 'direct only' and the company was soon creating new titles (for example, Marvel Fanfare ... that were reserved exclusively for comic book stores." Later that same year, Shooter wrote Marvel Treasury Edition No. 28 which featured the second Superman and Spider-Man intercompany crossover.Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 194: "In an oversized treasury edition carrying a hefty $2.50 price tag, the Man of Steel paired for the second time with Marvel's iconic web-slinger ... The issue came together thanks to the script of writer Jim Shooter, a bit of plotting assistance by Marv Wolfman, the pencils of longtime Marvel luminary John Buscema, and a veritable fleet of inkers." Additionally in 1981, Shooter was recognized as one of six "New Yorkers of the Year" by the New York chapter of Junior Chamber International, for his "contributions toward revitalizing the comics industry and helping Marvel Comics achieve a new pinnacle of success." Shooter also instituted creator royalties, starting the Epic Comics imprint for creator-owned material in 1982; introduced company-wide crossover events, with Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions and Secret Wars;DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 217: "The toy company Mattel produced action figures of Marvel's most popular characters ... Mattel just needed Marvel to come up with an editorial concept that would explain why all these characters had gathered together. The response of Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter was to publish the first company-wide crossover in the history of comics." and launched a new, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, line named New Universe, to commemorate Marvel's 25th anniversary, in 1986.DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 226: "The year 1986 was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Marvel Universe ... Jim embarked on his most ambitious project: he would celebrate the birth of one universe by creating a brand new one."
Despite his success in revitalizing Marvel, Shooter angered and alienated a number of long-time Marvel creators by insisting on strong editorial control and strict adherence to deadlines. Although he instituted an art-return program, and implemented a policy giving creators royalties when their books passed certain sales benchmarks or when characters they worked on were licensed as toys, Shooter occasionally found himself in well-publicized conflicts with some writers and artists. Creators such as Steve Gerber, Marv Wolfman,Wolfman, Marv. "What Th--?: Comments about Marvel from a former EIC," SuperHeroHype.com (July 30, 2003). Accessed April 11, 2009.Barkley, Chris. "Bad Moon Rising" radio interview (Sept. 1982). Accessed April 11, 2009. Gene Colan, John Byrne,Thomas, Michael. "John Byrne: The Hidden Answers", Comic Book Resources (August 22, 2000). Accessed on May 17, 2008. and Doug Moench left to work for DC (encouraged by its new publisher, Jenette Kahn, aggressively taking advantage of the opportunity) or other companies.
During Shooter's tenure, he enforced a policy forbidding the portrayal of gay characters in the Marvel universe. According to John Byrne, he initially had to conceal Northstar's sexuality, since Shooter personally told him that portraying a gay character would not be allowed. Marvel nonetheless published the first gay-themed story by a mainstream comics publisher during this time, written by Shooter himself; in it, two gay men attempt to rape Bruce Banner. Comics historian Frederick Luis Aldama says that Marvel under Shooter's tenure "was widely considered homophobic."
Roy Thomas, who left Marvel following a contract dispute with Shooter, reflected in 2005 on Shooter's editorial policies:
John Romita Sr. said:
John Byrne said similarly:
Shooter was fired from Marvel on April 15, 1987.
Occasionally over the years, Shooter was required to fill in as penciller on various books he wrote or oversaw as editor. During his period as Valiant's publisher, money and talent were often at a premium, and Shooter was sporadically forced to pencil a story. To conceal this fact, he drew under the pseudonym of Paul Creddick, the name of his brother-in-law.Petrilak, Joe. "THE Jim Shooter Interview"; The Valiant Era Online; July 22, 1998. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
In 1995, Shooter founded Broadway Comics, which was an offshoot of Broadway Video,"Newswatch: Shooter — 4th Try a Charm?" The Comics Journal #174 (February 1995), pp. 29–30. the production company that produces Saturday Night Live, but this line ended after its parent sold the properties to Golden Books."Shooter, Fowlkes Finishing Run Off Broadway as Golden Books Cancels Comics Line," The Comics Journal No. 192 (December 1996), pp. 31–32. In 1998, he spoke of a planned self-publishing, Daring Comics, with a projected eight titles including Anomalies and Rathh of God, with artist Joe James scheduled to draw at least one.
Shooter returned to Valiant, by now called Acclaim Comics, briefly in 1999 to write Unity 2000 (an attempt to combine and revitalize the older and newer ) but Acclaim went out of business after the completion of only three of the planned six issues.
In 2005, former Marvel Comics letterer Denise Wohl approached Shooter to create Seven, a series based on the Kabbalah.McLelland, Ryan. "Shooter & Wohl on Seven" , Newsarama, June 8, 2007. Shooter created a team of seven characters, one from each continent, who are brought together in New York because they share a higher consciousness.Soller, Kurt. "Super-fashionable Kabbalah Heroes: Zac Posen'd crusaders," New York magazine (November 5, 2007). The project, which was to be self-published by Wohl, was announced at the 2007 New York Comic Con, to debut in July of that year, and was projected to "evolve into television and film projects, video games, blogs, interactive Q&A, animation, trading cards, apparel, accessories, and school supplies." Wohl was to donate a portion of her proceeds to the "Spirituality for Kids Foundation." "Denise V. Wohl & Jim Shooter Launch 'Seven,' the Greatest Team of Superheroes of All Time". Official Press Release. Comic Book Resources, March 1, 2007. Only the first issue of the series was published.
In September 2007, DC Comics announced that Shooter would be the new writer of the Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 5 series, beginning with issue #37. Shooter's return to the Legion, a little over 30 years from his previous run, was his first major published comic book work in years. Shooter co-created the new Legionnaire Gazelle with artist Francis Manapul while on the title. His run on the series ended with issue No. 49, one issue before the book was canceled.
Shooter was hired by Valiant Entertainment, a company that bought Valiant's intellectual property in a bankruptcy auction of Acclaim Entertainment, to write from the end of 2008 into the summer of 2009.Johnston, Rich (October 6, 2009). Valiant Entertainment Sues Jim Shooter. Bleeding Cool. Accessed March 3, 2013.
In July 2009, Dark Horse Comics announced at San Diego Comic-Con that Shooter would oversee the publication of new series based on Gold Key Comics characters from the Silver Age of Comic Books, such as Turok, Doctor Solar, and , and write some of them as well.Manning, Shaun (July 25, 2009). "CCI: Jim Shooter Talks Gold Key at Dark Horse" . Comic Book Resources. Valiant sued Shooter over his moving to write the Gold Key characters for Dark Horse as they expected to get the rights and that he interfered with their ability to license the Key characters by indicating that he would write them for Dark Horse. As of January 2010, Valiant had given up the lawsuit against Shooter. Bill Jemas Is One Of The People Behind Valiant Entertainment, Inc He subsequently wrote the relaunched Magnus: Robotfighter, Turok and Dr. Solar series as well as Mighty Samson, another Gold Key character (that had not been picked up by Valiant Comics), for Dark Horse, beginning in 2010.
In his last years, Shooter worked as consulting editor and freelance writer for custom comics company Illustrated Media. Rodimus Primal Interviews The Legendary Jim Shooter
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