(CNN) -- Joe Simon, the co-creator of star-spangled comic book hero Captain America, has died at 98, his family announced. 

Simon, a writer, editor and artist, passed away late Wednesday in New York after a short illness. 

Simon and artist Jack Kirby, who ran a studio, developed the character in the early 1940s and worked outside the box to develop a distinct design. 

"Together, the team created Captain America as well as long list of characters, including The Newsboy Legion and The Boy Commandos," a statement Thursday from Simon's family said. 

A Marvel Comics website provides a summary of Captain America and his superhero quest. 

"In World War II, patriotic soldier Steve Rogers, recipient of the 'Super Soldier Serum,' became the living symbol of freedom, Captain America. Left for dead while frozen in ice, the star-spangled hero with an indestructible shield awoke years later to continue his never-ending battle for liberty." 

The movie "Captain America: The First Avenger" was released this year. Chris Evans, in the title role, went up against villain Red Skull, played by Hugo Weaving. 

Kirby and Simon created Captain America for Timely Comics, Marvel's predecessor. The comic was a huge hit during World War II. 

With Captain America came some of Kirby's comic book innovations, Mark Evanier, author of the book "Kirby: King of Comics," told CNN in 2008. 

Comic books, which had started as reprints of newspaper comic strips, had adhered to that form's look of repetitious boxes. Kirby and Simon used different-sized panels, varying shapes, even full pages. 
What comic was popular during WWII? Who published it during WWII? Who died in the article? Why was he famous? How old was he when he passed? Where did he pass? Who helped him create that character? When was it created? What actor played the superhero in the movie? Against what villain? Played by who? How did comic books begin?
Captain America. Marvel Comics Joe Simon He is the co-creator of Captain America 98 New York Jack Kirby early 1940s Chris Evans Red Skull Hugo Weaving as reprints of newspaper comic strips