Joe Simon, the comic book artist who brought the world Captain America, has died aged 98 at his home in New York after a brief illness.
Simon was a legend of the industry and one of most respected artists, writers and editors in comic book history. Along with co-writer Jack Kirby he created his - and one of America's - most enduring cult characters, the shield-wielding superhero Captain America in 1941.
Simon lived to see his biggest hit follow so many comic book characters onto the big screen with the 2011 summer release of Captain America: The First Avenger, a film starring Chris Evans and Tommy Lee Jones.
Many doubted that a symbol of American patriotism created in days of Franklin Roosevelt would manage to speak to a cynical modern audience. They were wrong: it grossed $369m (£237m) worldwide.
Bigwigs from within the industry were quick to offer their tributes to a man who was very much one of their own.
Alex Alonso, Marvel Comics' editor-in-chief, released a statement saying: "Among many accomplishments in the comic book field, Joe Simon co-created one of the most enduring superhero icons - indeed, American icons - of the 20th Century. If there ever were a superhero who needed less explanation than the red, white and blue-clad Captain America, I've yet to see him."
Marvel Comics rivals DC Entertainment also released a statement about Simon's death. Dan DiDio, the company's co-publisher described him as "a true legend in the comic book industry" and added that "so much of what we are today is owed to him and his amazing creativity. In addition to one of the great writers of the Golden Age, he was also an editor at DC Comics. We appreciate all of his contributions to DC Comics and the industry as a whole, both on the page and behind the scenes."
Captain America comics have been sold in over 70 different countries and has sold over 200m copies since its first appearance in 1941. The character is the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a weak man transformed into the ultimate human specimen by a special serum so that he can aid the United States in fighting its enemies after World War II.