"There are few people in this world that have had as much of an impact on the industry as Carmine," added 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."
Original story: Legendary comic book artist and editor Carmine Infantino has passed away at age 87, according to colleagues George Pérez and Arlen Schumer.
In a Facebook message, Pérez wrote Thursday afternoon, "So sad to learn of the passing of another comic book legend. Carmine Infantino was one of the great influential artists in the history of the medium and I will always look upon his Adam Strange, Flash and Space Museum stories as wondrous examples of fantasy made even more magical at the hands of a master. RIP, Carmine."
Infantino's comic book career started when he was a teenager, as an inker for USA Comics. Likely best known for his work on The Flash, Infantino illustrated the character's adventures in various intervals from 1947 to 1985. The debut of Barry Allen in 1956's Showcase #4, written by Bob Kanigher and illustrated by Infantino and Joe Kubert, is generally considered the official start of the Silver Age of comics. The Flash #123, "Flash of Two Worlds," was illustrated by Infantino and introduced Earth-Two, an enduring DC concept still in use.
At DC, Infantino served in a number of managerial positions, including art director starting in 1966, editorial director in 1967 and, from 1971 to 1976, publisher. During Infantino's leadership period, DC hired influential creators including Jack Kirby, Neal Adams and Denny O'Neil; and published first-ever Marvel/DC crossover Superman vs. Spider-Man. Infantino was also involved in the development of Superman: The Movie.
His co-creations at DC Comics include Barry Allen, Barbara Gordon, Wally West, Deadman, Elongated Man, The Human Target (Christopher Chance); and Flash villains Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, Reverse Flash, Captain Boomerang and many more. Infantino illustrated a number of Marvel series in the 1970s, such as Spider-Woman, Ms. Marvel, Nova, Star Wars, and a portion of the iconic "Demon in a Bottle" Iron Man storyline.
Returning to The Flash in the 1980s, Infantino illustrated the series until that volume of the series ended in the midst of Crisis on Infinite Earths. In 2004, Infantino sued DC for the rights of several characters he created, which was later settled. Though retired, Infantino continued to appear at comic book conventions in recent years.
