The Beat is reporting that legendary Golden Age comic creator Joe Simon passed away yesterday, Tuesday, December 14. Simon was the creator of Captain America and a myriad of other heroes and rogues in the Marvel Universe and beyond, including the 1940s version of Sandman. He was also the first editor of Timely Comics, the company that would eventually turn into Marvel.

The news was broken by his son through Facebook. Simon was an active presence in the comics field throughout his entire life and made regular appearances at conventions even into his late 90s. He will be missed, although we continue to enjoy the fruits of his legacy to this day.

[Photo of Joe Simon at Comic Con 2010 via Duck Show]