My Captain America: A Memoir

by Megan Margulies

In the 1990s, Megan Margulies’s Upper West Side neighborhood was marked by addicts shooting up in subway stations, frequent burglaries, and the “Wild Man of 96th Street,” who set fires under cars and heaved rocks through stained glass church windows. The world inside her parents’ tiny one-bedroom apartment was hardly a respite, with a family of five—including some loud personalities—eventually occupying the 550-square-foot space.



Salvation arrived in the form of her spirited grandfather, Daddy Joe, whose midtown studio became a second home to Megan. There, he listened to her woes, fed her Hungry Man frozen dinners, and simply let her be. His living room may have been dominated by the drawing table, notes, and doodles that marked him as Joe Simon the cartoonist. But for Megan, he was always Daddy Joe: an escape from her increasingly hectic home, a nonjudgmental voice whose sense of humor was as dry as his farfel, and a steady presence in a world that felt off balance.



Evoking New York City both in the 1980s and ’90s and during the Golden Age of comics in the 1930s and ’40s, My Captain America flashes back from Megan’s story to chart the life and career of Rochester-native Joe Simon, from his early days retouching publicity photos and doing spot art for magazines, to his partnership with Jack Kirby at Timely Comics (the forerunner of Marvel Comics), which resulted in the creation of beloved characters like Captain America, the Boy Commandos, Fighting American, and The Fly. My Captain America offers a tender and sharply observed account of Megan’s life with Daddy Joe—and an intimate portrait of the creative genius who gave us one of the most enduring superheroes of all time.

Genres: Comics, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, World War II

336 pages, Hardcover

Published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Since I was very young, my love blazed a bright path toward my grandfather - or, as I called him once I could talk, 'Daddy Joe.' He created Captain America . . . Most people remember him as a true comics legend. [But] to me, Joe Simon was the man who loved to have a cigar every night, a fan blowing the smoke over a drawing table spattered with ink and paint . . . " -- from the prologue

Megan Margulies is a freelancer of a journalist whose work has appeared in the Washington Post and the New York Times, among other giants of print. Her childhood / teenage years were dominated by living in a cramped New York City apartment with her parents and two much younger siblings. What offered a temporary respite was her relationship with her maternal grandfather, a widower who also lived in the Big Apple. However, said grandfather happened to be comics artist / writer Joe Simon, who in 1941 co-created (with icon Jack 'The King' Kirby) the legendarily long-lasting star-spangled superhero Captain America. Margulies celebrates the many memories of her late 'Daddy Joe' in My Captain America, in which she details her cherished and often one-on-one time she spent with him throughout the 80's and 90's. (One such experience included accompanying him as a sidekick of sorts to the fabled San Diego Comic Con, where he was a featured guest speaker.) Simon had the 'cool old guy' vibe about him, and Captain America is one of my favorites in Marvel's venerable line-up, so Margulies' take on said character's creator was a nicely low-key and affectionate work.

[Dlmrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous story. I was lucky enough to acquire and edit this one, so maybe I'm biased, but I think this is the perfect book for Marvel—and specifically Cap—fans who enjoy a peek behind the curtain, and will also enchant memoir readers who are just looking for a lovely story about a deep bond between grandfather and granddaughter.

[Beyo Martini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book by the talented Mz Megan Margulies, It cleverly weaves together two stories, one about the life and career of Joe Simon, and the other about Megan's own personal experiences growing up in New York City with her family in the 80s and 90s. Megan's childhood was marked by the difficulties of living in a small apartment with a large family, and the harsh realities of living in a city plagued by crime and drug addiction. However, her grandfather Daddy Joe's studio became an oasis for her, providing her with a sense of peace and security.

The book is a masterful blend of memoir, biography, and history. It provides insights into the life of the famous comic book writer, Joe Simon, and his creative process. It also delves into the history of comic books during their golden age, giving readers a glimpse into the world of comic book writing and publishing.

One of the book's strengths is its use of vivid language to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The descriptions of New York City in the 80s and 90s are so vivid that readers can almost feel the grime and grit on their skin. The book is also full of interesting anecdotes, like the story of how Captain America was created, which will keep readers engaged.

Another strength of the book is the portrayal of Megan's relationship with Daddy Joe. The book is a tribute to their close bond, and readers will find themselves rooting for Megan as she faces the challenges of growing up in a difficult environment. Daddy Joe is a fascinating character in his own right, and his life story is as compelling as that of any superhero.

[Betty Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Margulies has captured the world of her beloved grandfather, Joe Simon, creator of Captain America. This memoir gives us an birds-eye-view of growing up in New York City in the 1980’s and 90’s, a time where addicts and their paraphernalia were a common site on littered sidewalks and subway stations. The one-bedroom apartment where her parents and two siblings squeeze into becomes a hothouse of conflicts as she turns into rebellious teenager. Her grandfather “Daddy Joe” and his apartment are her saving grace. This is a deeply touching story of an unbreakable bond between the author and her grandfather, a grandfather who personifies the superheroes he creates, dishing out encouragement without judgment and providing a safe space for Megan to land every time she leaves her parents’ apartment in a huff. At the end of the book I was left thinking that we should all be so lucky to have a Daddy Joe in our lives.

[Jo Besser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this book. I liked it probably more than I should have. For Margulies, Daddy Joe was her comfort, like Captain America is mine. I completely understood how she related to Daddy Joe. I felt the same connection to my Grandmother. So I think that's why this book reinstated with me, because I understood how she felt in her soul.

The only thing I disliked, was towards the end, where Margulies was trying to find connections to Daddy Joe in everything. I couldn't help but roll my eyes a bit with it. However, she realized that she was clinging too hard to all of this. Which I think was a healthy and important moment for her. She gained a lot of credibility back with me when she was able to step back and think that way. So glad I took the time to read this book.

[Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was as close to my grandmother as Megan was to her grandfather and I was very affected by this book. Honestly, it hit me pretty hard. My grandmother was my rock and the glue that held our family together. This was a beautifully written memoir and her words moved me tremendously. It has helped to give me a new perspective of my grief and my grandmother’s existence. I picked up this book because of my love for all things Captain America, but I found more than I bargained for. This is truly a wonderful read and I recommend it to all book lovers.

[Steven desJardins · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I got about 40% of the way through. I finally picked it up again, and skimmed through it fairly quickly, using a sharp knife to separate pages that were partially uncut due to a printing defect, looking for interesting anecdotes or insights or information about Joe Simon's career that I didn't know. I am only a moderately well read comics fan, not an expert, but I found myself getting little new out of it. I won't say it's a bad book, but I don't feel any desire to make room for it on my already overcrowded bookshelves.

[Elly Valdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a captivating story, both historically and emotionally. I don’t think I’ll ever not recommend this, especially to those who have a special connection with their grandparents. Thank you, Megan, for this glimpse into your relationship with Daddy Joe.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Matthew S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

very insightful. surprising number of F words.

[Lori Countey · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book that we have all been waiting for! A masterpiece of a memoir.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir for anyone's grandparent was a larger than life figure in their life. Ms. Margulies deftly shares her growing up alongside Joe Simon, her love for him, and her life in new york city.