Former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, 73, has reportedly passed away from esophageal cancer.
The news of Shooter’s passing was announced via on comic book writer Mark Waid on Facebook, who posted:
RIP Jim Shooter, 1951-2025.
I’ve just received word that Jim Shooter passed away of esophogeal cancer, which he’s been battling for some time. I realize that for many he’s been a controversial figure in the past (game knows game), mostly with regards to his managereal style, but my experiences with him lay outside that realm and began with my lifelong love for his writing beginning with the first time I ever picked up a copy of Adventure Comics in 1967.
For those who don’t know, Jim broke into comics at the age of 14. Let me say that again: 14. I don’t know about you, but when I was 14, I could barely put sentences together on paper. During a hospital stay, he’d been given some Marvel and DC comics and could clearly see how much more exciting the Marvel books were and couldn’t understand why DC’s books couldn’t have that same vitality. Having no idea how comics scripts were done, he literally wrote and drew a Legion of Super-Heroes story on notebook paper and sent it in to editor Mort Weisinger, who put him to work immediately–having no idea how young he was until later.
The mid-1970s to a DC that didn’t quite know what to do with him before moving to Marvel and eventually serving as their EIC for many years. Subsequently, he launched a succession of long- and short-lived comics companies. Over the past few years, he’d been making frequent comic convention appearances.
My meals and conversations with Jim were always genial, and I never failed to remind him just how inspirational his work was to me; there are storytelling choices and stylistic influences I got from him in nearly all my work. I regret that I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, but I’m glad he’s finally at peace after years of suffering.
Godspeed, Jim.
Jim Shooter was a highly influential American comic‑book writer, editor, and publisher, who sold his first professional stories at age 14, writing for DC Comics stories that included Adventure Comics, Supergirl, Superman, Superboy, and the Legion of Super‑Heroes. He is known for crafting key Legion stories that introcuded characters like Karate Kid, Princess Projectra, Ferro Lad, and the Fatal Five.
After working at DC in his teens, in 1976, Shotter signed on as assistant editor at Marvel, then quickly rising through the ranks to become Marvel’s ninth editor‑in‑chief in early 1978, succeeding Archie Goodwin. Under his leadership, Marvel streamlined production, ended chronic delays, launched creator royalties, and pioneered the first company‑wide crossover events, including Secret Wars. He also oversaw legendary runs like Chris Claremont and John Byrne‘s Uncanny X‑Men and Frank Miller‘s Daredevil.
In Tom Field‘s book Secrets in the Shadows: The Art & Life of Gene Colan, Roy Thomas spoke about the former Marvel EiC’s complicated legacy, saying, “When Jim Shooter took over, for better or worse he decided to rein things in – he wanted stories told the way he wanted them told. It’s not a matter of whether Jim Shooter was right or wrong; it’s a matter of a different approach. He was editor-in-chief and had a right to impose what he wanted to.”
In 1989, Shooter co‑founded Voyager Communications, which published comics under the Valiant Comics brand, bringing former Marvel talent on board and reimagining properties like Solar: Man of the Atom, Magnus, Robot Fighter, and other stories based on Nintendo and WWF licensed characters, including F-ZERO.
He also later launched Defiant and Broadway Comics.
Since the 2000s, Shooter has served as creative director at Illustrated Media, dabbling in custom comics, children’s books, animation treatments, and even screenplay writing. However, in 2024, it was announced via his Instagram page that he would be stepping down due to “health concerns.”
Shooter didn’t just write and edit comics—he reshaped the medium: professionalizing performance, championing creator rights, orchestrating epic crossover events, and launching major new publishers. Though sometimes a controversial figure—known for his strong editorial style—his impact on modern comics is undeniable.
Sad News, did enjoy so many comicbooks written by Jim or in his Position as EIC from Marvel and Valiant. RIP Jim Shooter.
His LOSH work was groundbreaking and paved the way for Paul Levitz on the verysame series, cementing my love of american comics for a long while.
Not so much a fan of the work he did at Marvel as a writer, most notably Secret Wars and the infamous Avengers rape story. Though I recoginize his bout for creator rights as EIC there.
Then came the Valiant endeavour, another comics landmark with the brilliant return of Magnus and Solar.
I will always reread fondly some of the books he wrote.
A unique, tireless talent, and perhaps uniquely controversial as well — to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, To be forced out of one comicbook company may be regarded as a misfortune; to be forced out of two begins to look like carelessness.
R.I.P.