Joe Gill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe Gill |
|
|---|---|
Joe Gill in sailor's uniform, 1940s
on board the USS Cavalier APA 37 |
|
| Born | Joseph P. Gill July 13, 1919 Scranton, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 17, 2006 (aged 87) Seymour, Connecticut |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Writer, Colourist |
|
Notable works
|
Captain Atom, Judomaster, Peacemaker |
| Awards | Bill Finger Award 2020 posthumously |
Joseph P. Gill (born July 13, 1919 – died December 17, 2006) was an American writer. He wrote a huge number of comic book stories. Most of his work was for Charlton Comics. There, he helped create famous superheroes like Captain Atom, Peacemaker, and Judomaster. Many people who study comics think Joe Gill wrote more comics than almost anyone else!
Contents
Joe Gill's Early Life and Career
Joe Gill was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He started writing for comic books in New York City during the 1940s. This time is known as the Golden Age of comic books. He worked for Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics.
Most of Joe Gill's early work was not signed with his name. This was common back then. It makes it hard to know exactly everything he wrote. He often wrote for a company called Funnies, Inc. This company created comics for publishers who were new to the comic book world.
Joe Gill said his brother, Ray Gill, helped him get started. Ray was an editor at Funnies, Inc. Joe Gill even wrote stories for Captain America for Timely Comics. This was after the original creators, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, left.
Around this time, Joe Gill met Mickey Spillane. Mickey Spillane later became a famous writer of detective novels. They were lifelong friends.
Serving in World War II
Joe Gill served in World War II as a radio operator for the U.S. Navy. Family stories say his ship was attacked by a Japanese submarine. Joe Gill signaled for help, and many people on his ship were saved.
After the war, superheroes became less popular. Joe Gill started writing different kinds of comics for Timely. These included funny stories about teens and Western stories. Around 1948, he found his way to a comic book company called Charlton Comics. It was based in Derby, Connecticut.
Working at Charlton Comics
Starting in the early 1950s, Joe Gill became the main writer for Charlton Comics. He worked there for about 30 years. He was known for how fast he wrote. He could often finish a full comic book story in just one day! He wrote about 100 to 125 pages a week. He wrote stories in many different styles, like crime, science fiction, romance, and war stories.
Superheroes were not a big part of Charlton Comics at first. But Joe Gill created one of their first superheroes, Zaza the Mystic. He also helped with the colors for the comics.
Creating New Superheroes
In 1960, superheroes started to become popular again. This time is called the Silver Age of comic books. Joe Gill and Steve Ditko created Captain Atom. Captain Atom was an astronaut who became an atomic hero. He first appeared in Space Adventures #33 (March 1960). Steve Ditko later helped create Marvel Comics' Spider-Man.
Captain Atom later became a popular character for DC Comics. Joe Gill also helped bring back an old superhero called Blue Beetle. He and artists Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico made Blue Beetle a funny character in Blue Beetle #1 (June 1964).
In 1967, Charlton Comics started a new line of superheroes called "Action Hero." Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette created The Peacemaker. Joe Gill and art director Frank McLaughlin created Judomaster. Joe Gill also worked with Steve Ditko on comics about giant apes, like Konga and Gorgo.
Later Career and Legacy
When Charlton editor Dick Giordano went to work for DC Comics in 1969, he asked Joe Gill to write for DC. Joe Gill wrote for titles like The Secret Six. He kept working regularly at Charlton during this time. He notably wrote the ongoing Vietnam War feature "Shotgun Harker and Chicken" for Charlton's war comic Fightin' Marines.
In 1975, Joe Gill and artist John Byrne created the series Doomsday + 1. This was the first series where John Byrne was credited as a co-creator. He later became a very famous artist in the comic book world.
In 1983, Joe Gill wrote two stories for Secret Agent X-9. These stories were drawn by Jack Sparling and only appeared in comic books in Europe.
When Charlton Comics stopped publishing in 1986, Joe Gill retired from writing comics. He wrote a few freelance stories for DC after that. His last known work was as a colorist for a small superhero comic called Ebony Warrior #2 (June–July 1993).
Joe Gill passed away at age 87 in Seymour, Connecticut. He had been staying at a health center and spent time at a senior center. He enjoyed playing pool and poker. There was no funeral, as he wished. His niece took his ashes to a cemetery where his wife and son were buried.
Awards and Recognition
- 1974 Shazam Award – He was nominated for Best Writer (Humor Division).
- 2020 Bill Finger Award – He received this award after he passed away.
Images for kids
-
Gill in his later years, holding a copy of Mike Danger
