Jim Shooter’s 5 Best Comic Book Stories

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On June 30, 2025, Jim Shooter, a prominent figure in comic book history, passed away. As a youngster, he began his career in comics by deceiving his age and selling them to DC at just 14 years old. Following stints writing Superman, Supergirl, and The Legion of Super-Heroes comics, he moved to Marvel and was appointed the ninth editor-in-chief within a span of two years. He played a crucial role in revitalizing the company and enhancing its entire comic book collection. His innovative ideas such as graphic novels and crossover miniseries were instrumental in transforming Marvel into the most successful comic book publisher globally.

Yet, prior to his tenure as editor-in-chief, he had already penned for Marvel and co-founded a firm named Valiant following his dismissal from Marvel. Notably, he proved himself as an exceptional editor while also crafting captivating comic book tales along the journey.

5) What If? (Vol. 1) #3

In Jim Shooter’s tenure at Marvel, some of his entertaining comics were featured in the “What If…” series, one notable issue being “What If The Avengers Had Never Been.” In this story, written by Shooter and illustrated by Gil Kane, we find ourselves post-Loki defeat, when the Avengers decided to establish a team. However, upon Hulk’s departure from the team, Ant-Man and Thor elected not to compel him to stay. Instead, they too chose to step away from the Avengers, leaving Iron Man determined to track down Hulk. This decision led Hulk to ally with Namor, culminating in a tragic ending.

4) Avengers (Vol. 1) #213

During the early ’80s, Jim Shooter served as both writer for multiple issues of The Avengers and editor-in-chief. These comics contained various plots, but there was also a backstage narrative about Hank Pym. In this particular issue, the Avengers made Hank face a court-martial because of his questionable actions as a team member. This storyline saw Hank striving to regain respect, so he designed an android to assault the Avengers which he could then vanquish, thus saving them. This comic was contentious due to Shooter portraying Pym inadvertently shoving his wife, but artist Bob Hall’s depiction made it appear as if Hank struck Jan, effectively damaging his reputation beyond repair. Nevertheless, Shooter’s script was excellent, and this issue remains significant for the Avengers and Hank Pym, with its impact enduring over time.

3) Star Brand #1-7

One aspect that people sometimes fail to notice is Jim Shooter’s original characters developed during his tenure at Marvel Comics. In 1986, he introduced the character Star Brand within the New Universe realities. Star Brand is actually Ken Connell, a car mechanic, who got his powers from an enigmatic “Old Man” on Earth-148611. Jim Shooter developed eight comic titles in the New Universe, and among them, Star Brand stood out. The series was crafted with intelligence, portraying Star Brand grappling with the control of his powers, leading to a sad fate for his homeland. Star Brand remains part of Marvel Comics today, but not exactly as Shooter depicted him.

2) Adventure Comics #346-349

It’s astonishing that Jim Shooter managed to captivate DC Comics at such a young age – just 14! However, it’s important to note that he did misrepresent his actual age during this time. Shooter was motivated to submit stories to DC because he believed their comics weren’t as strong as Marvel’s offerings at the moment. His goal was to modernize The Legion of Super-Heroes by incorporating more character-centric narratives, and this approach resonated with DC Comics. From 1966 onward, Shooter started writing for Adventure Comics, focusing on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes as they welcomed new members. As a teenager, he seized the opportunity to make his mark in the industry.

1) Secret Wars #1-12

Jim Shooter’s most significant contribution to comic books was undoubtedly the epic saga known as Secret Wars. Building on the concept of crossover event miniseries he initiated with Contest of Champions, Shooter took it to new heights with Secret Wars, a tale where Marvel’s heroes and villains were kidnapped and compelled to fight for the entertainment of an extraterrestrial being named The Beyonder. This series significantly boosted Marvel’s dependence on crossover series annually, aiming to enhance reader engagement and sales. Secret Wars stands as Shooter’s masterpiece, marking a pivotal moment in his career at Marvel Comics, even though his eventual decline was imminent. Regardless of the subsequent events, Secret Wars cemented Shooter’s legacy in the comic book world.

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2025-07-09 16:41