The Energon Pub

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Jim Shooter passed away in his home in Nyack, New York, on June 30, 2025, after battling esophageal cancer. He leaves behind quite the legacy when it comes to comics since he revitalized the Marvel after he became editor in chief. He turned Marvel back into the powerhouse that it was in the 60s and continues to be. It is thanks to him that we got Frank Miller’s Daredevil and the Secret Wars, which he wrote (making him the creator of the black Symbiote).

But it’s maybe Transformers fans which owe him most since he was the one tasked with developing the lore for the Transformers brand. It is he who developed the concept of an intergalactic war between the Autobots and Decepticons and he also had the mandate to provide the toy bios, a task he gave to Bob Budiansky. As editor in chief, he spearheaded the Marvel Transformers comic into the juggernaut it became. The image below is a portrait of Shooter made by Bill Sienkiewicz, in light of his passing, which brings us full circle as this is the same artist who drew the cover for Marvel’s Transformers 1.

Thank you for all the entertainment you provided and inspired throughout the decades, Mr. Shooter. 'Til all are one. o7

He will live on in the character of Shooter from GI Joe. He bought the idea of the black suit from a fan who submitted it through one of the "How to draw Marvel" books. Years later Jim was out to dinner with friends and was amazed at the fantastic service they got. At the end of the meal the waiter revealed that he was the young fan who submitted the black suit originally.

RIP Jim. You brought so much joy to kids like myself in the 80s and still at adulthood.

thank you mr shooter

Larry Hama shared a story on Facebook about working with a protege of Frank Miller's who died before his paperwork for insurance could go through. No questions asked, Shooter walked the forms himself to the office and pushed them through. Apparently this was something he did often that for obvious reasons couldn't be talked about.

I hope to complete a comic collection of the Marvel G1 run in his honor, especially with it being my favorite version of Generation 1.