Another key figure of the Silver Age passed away last week. Carmine’s most famous contribution was the revamped Flash in Showcase #4. Many say this 1956 comic book was the Silver Age’s beginning but for me, things don’t get rolling until the early Sixties.
By the time I was old enough to read/appreciate comics, his tenure as an executive at DC was winding down. Many said he contributed to the venerable company’s decline through price increases (a book I read about Marvel’s history discusses this), padding titles with reprints and canceling some books too soon. He did successfully steal Jack Kirby away from Marvel in the early Seventies; hired Neal Adams, Dick Giordano and Denny O’Neil; and backed the creation of numerous characters who became well-loved years later. For example, Kirby’s Fourth World material did poorly when it was initially released. Today it’s a big deal and a DC cornerstone.
I remembered Carmine for his art. The first title I clearly recalled him working on was Star Wars. His style was jarring yet I was 11.
The character he will always be forever associated with is the Silver Age Flash. I’m glad DC let him draw the final issues when the character died saving the multiverse in 1985 for their opus Crisis on Infinite Earths. Sadly this was all undone with recent crossovers followed by DC’s reboot 18 months ago.
Regardless, the world is a richer place thanks to Carmine and his Silver Age comrades.