RIP Carmine Infantino: a comic legend

 

It was a sad day yesterday as the comic book world lost another legend, the great Carmine Infantino passed away, he was 87 years old.

Infantino began his career in the early 40’s and is regarded by many as one of the greatest artists the medium has ever seen. He went on to co-create some of the most recognizable characters in comics, namely Animal Man, Barbara Gordon, Black Canary, Deadman, and Enlongated Man. But he became revered for his work on Barry Allen, his most iconic co-creation. Barry Allen, The Flash is generally considered the first hero of the Silver Age of comics. Infantino also created his signature red and yellow costume that has changed little throughout the years. Many of the Flash’s famous rogues gallery, such as Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd, and Mirror Master were also co-created by Infantino.

But the man was not just an artist, in 1967 he became Art Director at DC Comics and later Editorial Director, where his impact was just as great as his previous position. Some of the creators he brought in from other publishers are Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, and Denny O’Neil.  In 1971 he was promoted to publisher of DC Comics and held that role for 5 years.

After that he returned to freelancing, where I was first introduced to his work in Marvel’s monthly Star Wars comic. It quickly became one of the bestselling books at the time. In 1981 he returned to the Flash for 4 years until it was canceled. He went on to do various projects before eventually becoming a teacher at the School for Visual arts in New York, where he stayed until retirement.

Carmine Infantino’s career as an artist, editor, publisher, and teacher spanned nearly 60 years. It would be silly for me who is barely half that to comment, so instead I’ll use DC Comics’ words:

“The entire DC Entertainment family is saddened by the loss of Carmine Infantino,” said Diane Nelson, the DC Entertainment President. “His contributions to the comics industry and to DC Comics in particular are immense and impossible to quantify. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”

In closing, some word by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio:

“He bridged both the Golden and Silver ages of comics, shepherding in some of the most successful periods in our history and setting the course of our characters that is still seen today. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will remain forever.”