Infantino Month Part 5: The Flash in "Master of the Elements"

Once you get past that rather boring splash page, this story from Showcase #13 (You can tell I like that issue a lot) is a nifty little thriller. It also introduced my favorite Silver Age Flash villain; Mr. Element/Dr. Alchemy! Sure he’s your typical pun-spouting villain with costumed henchmen and a lair which must have cost a fortune to establish in and of itself, and sure his debut story is filled with ass-pulls like him randomly discovering new elements and The Flash being saved by a coincidence, but you’ve got to admire how he’s prepared for everything, and his “inert elements” joke is a pretty sophisticated one by comic book standards.

 But the real star here is Infantino’s art of course. His elegant renderings of people in suits at the jewelry store and the restaurant somehow manage to be just as impressive as all of the sci-fi derring do on display, and he’s no slouch in that department either! All © DC

Infantino Month Part 4: Adam Strange in "The Weapon that Swallowed Men"

 Carmine Infantino may not have been the original Adam Strange artist, and he certainly didn’t alter the formula of the series to any extent that you could say he re-invented the character, but after his Flash work, Infantino’s Adam Strange run in Mystery in Space was his finest work during this era. It’s easily the best space opera art in comics since the Alex Raymond years of Flash Gordon and is (sadly) much superior to Infantino’s later Star Wars work.

 The story here from Mystery in Space #63 is pretty silly, but there’s a charm to it just the same. It was reprinted in DC’s 1999 anthology titled (fittingly enough) Mystery in Space: Pulp Fiction Library which collected most of their space heroes’ stories alongside some one-offs.

 That’s gotta count for something, right? Dig those crazy aliens. All © DC.

Infantino Month Part 3: Nightmare Highway

  Most would agree that Carmine Infantino’s post-60’s work was not his best, with his layouts becoming looser and his rendering becoming more angular and rushed looking. Still, while his mainstream superhero work may not have been to everyone’s tastes, he could still turn out striking work on other genres like this moody 1980 crime/horror piece for Warren that uses light and wash for good effect. Some panels have a kind of Walt Simonson vibe. I like how restrained his art is considering the rampant opportunities it presents for sex and gore.

 The story itself here isn’t anything to write home about, relying on ridiculous coincidences, blatant red herrings and a rushed ending. And who hadn’t seen Psycho by 1980? Still, it’s one of the sleaziest stories Infantino ever drew; Underage prostitution, psycho killers wearing women’s shoes. Quite a way’s away from the innocent days of The Flash running around the world in 80 minutes, huh? And I have an even ickier Psycho-themed story Infantino drew for Warren! I may or may not post it though, since I want to mainly focus on the sleek, fine-lined superhero work that made him famous.

 Here’s “Nightmare Highway” from Creepy #117. All © Warren.

 

Infantino Month Part 2: "When Dead Men Walk"

 Second up for Infantino month is this moody story from Phantom Stranger #1 in 1952. It was featured in DC’s mostly lackluster Greatest 1950’s Stories Ever Told collection, and all in all it’s a fairly standard occult detective story, but god is that art gorgeous! All © DC.

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 For some reason, when this story was reprinted in 1969, parts of it were extensively re-drawn. This was during Infantino’s reign as DC’s editorial director, shortly before becoming publisher, so he must not have felt too sentimental about seeing this story re-worked. Apparently it was changed to feel more cinematic. Still, the moodiness of that original splash is hard to beat.

 

Infantino Month Part 1: The Flash in "Around the World in 80 Minutes"

 Kicking off what will hopefully be a whole series of posts related to Carmine Infantino, here’s my favorite of the early Silver Age Flash stories; “Around the World in 80 Minutes”. It’s a cheeky little story more reminiscent of something Will Eisner would have done than anything Flash stories would be known for, and Infantino’s art is excellent:

 From Showcase #13, enjoy! All © DC.

 

 

 Believe it or not, the “Black Cat” villain who appears only in a handful of panels here would later be referenced in Flash #137!

 And my, does this look familiar or is it just me?

 

R.I.P. Carmine Infantino

 It is with the most utmost sadness that I must report the passing of Carmine Infantino (1925-2013). As longtime readers here know, I consider the man’s work the epitome of superhero comics from the days when they were just good clean fun. When I think of the idealized Jet Age America with art deco buildings and furniture, tail-finned cars and science that can do anything; Infantino’s Flash work is what springs to mind. And although he may not have originated the strip, Infantino’s Adam Strange work was easily the best space adventure series in all of comics after Flash Gordon.

 I haven’t been posting much these past few months, but I’m going to try my hardest to post some of my favorite Infantino stories in the coming days. R.I.P Carmine, you won’t ever be forgotten.

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