Carmine Infantino: 1925 -2013

After losing a film legend like Roger Ebert, it would have to take someone major to pass away to make my day any more miserable. But just a few short hours after I found out that Ebert had passed away, i got the news that comic legend Carmine Infantino had also passed away. While Infantino may not be as well known amongst the mainstream as Ebert was, to geeks like me he is one of the golden gods of the comic industry and a titan among men. Infantino was directly responsible for ushering in the Silver Age of comics, and he did this by redesigning The Flash's costume to the familiar hooded red & yellow suit that we all know and love. Those stories focused on the rebootable aspect of comics, and the future inclinations of classic DC characters came shortly after.

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Infantino has a storied history in the comic industry, doing major work for both DC and Marvel. He is widely considered to be the greatest penciler of all time, and has done major work on books like Flash, Star Wars, Batman, Avengers, Iron Man, Superman, and Daredevil just to name a few. He also created characters like Deadman and Barbara Gordon as Batgirl during his run on Batman. He is also pretty much responsible for the multi verse in the DC universe. The guy is just a legend... and I was lucky enough to meet him!

A few years back i got press passes to attend the 2010 Big Apple Comic Con. I went on Fri & Sat and conducted many cool interviews with people like Erin Grey, Doug Jones, the cast of The Human Centipede, and many others. But on Sunday I brought my son by to his first big convention. he was like 7, and he was in awe. When we went down to the artist room, he was a bit shell shocked at all the creators being present. It was the first time he began to realize that these great works of art were created by real people. When we went down an aisle and saw Carmine Infantino, I made it my business to stop by his table. I am a realist, and Infantino was getting old. he wasn't going to be around forever, and I wanted my son to meet the man responsible for the Flash he knows and loves so much. So we walked up to the table and began to talk with Carmine. I asked him if he could do a quick sketch in the book I had been putting together for Mikey since he was young. His handler immediately jumped into the conversation and said "Carmine could do a quick Flash symbol in the book for 100 bucks". I was going to pay it, I swear to god. This man is a legend. but Carmine stood up and said "No..., no way am I charging this guy 100 bucks to do a lightning bolt!". the handler began to grumble with Carmine, but Infnatino was hearing none of it. "Shut up... mind your business!!!" Infantino said in his thick NY Italian accent. I had to smile and laugh, as I was reminded of my grandfather. Infantino continued to argue with the handler and his protests, cursing under his breath and smiling at me while shutting down the money making part of his table... much to the chagrin of his handler who was obviously placed there to maximize profits. Infantino told me that if I bought one of his books he would gladly sign it for me for free, and I was pleased to find out that that he was selling the book for 5 dollars LES THAN COVER PRICE!

So cool of him, and I was still getting the autograph. So I chose his awesome art book, he signed it, and then he asked if it would be OK if Mikey came around the table to take a pic with him. Was it OK? Um.... YEAH!!! Mikey went back behind the table, took what ended up being a shitty pic (that's on me), and shook the hand of a legend. That is what being a dad is all about... and was one of the coolest things that could have ever happened to a comic fan like me.

I will always love Carmine's art and all he has contributed to the comic world I love so much. I have many faves in the comic world, but meeting Infantino and having that funny situation will always be a part of my memories. Rest in Peace brother Carmine... you deserve some time off to enjoy yourself after all your hard work!!!!

Here are a few of his art pieces that I love so much....

      

Remember The Time Comic Legend Neal Adams Made My Comic Con?

Neal Adams has been a comic book legend since before I ever picked up my first issue of a comic. Ever since hsi first big time cover of The Brave & the Bold #75 Adams has been slaying some of the best characters comics have with his inspired designs. From way back in the early 1970s Adams has been the artist that most people associate with Batman, but he has done so much more work that it is laughable to only consider him a Batman artist. Deadman, X-Men, Superman, Green Arrow... Neal has skilled them all. As a true fan of 70s and 80s comics (I was raised on 'em), I always loved Adams's art. So when I got a chance to meet the man personally at this years NY comic Con, I damn near fainted. Just the prospect of shaking hands with the man responsible for some of my favorite comic artwork ever blew my mind... but the fact that he was going to sign a few items of mine to boot? Yup, that was almost to much to take in.

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When I walked over to the table, I was escorted by my fiance's uncle Jimmy. He is a NYPD detective who happens to be a huge comic fan as well. He also happens to know Mr. Adams personally. So when we walked over and Adams wife Marilyn came running over to greet us. She warmly welcomed us into the booth and Jimmy began talking to Neal. I had a copy of my Green Hornet #1 to be signed by Adams, but I was taken by his prints and just knew that I needed to get my hands on some Adams Batman work. So I picked up a cool print of his that featured The Joker prominently.

What a great print!

So great! I picked it up and went to pay Marilyn, but she refused my money. She said that Jimmy was like family to them and that I wouldn't be paying for anything. Wow... instead of just getting an autograph I was getting a free 11 x 14 print and a chance to chat with one of my heroes! This worked out much better than I could have expected.

Swag!

Adams chatted me up for a few minutes and I was taken aback by just how nice and pleasant he was. Not that I expected him to be rude or anything... but when you are being accosted by hundreds & thousands of comic book fans, you would expect a certain level of annoyance. But not Neal... he was like a kid in candy store. he truly loves drawing and creating comics, and loves to talk about it even more. I could see the joy he had talking about all the work he has done and I could see how happy it made him to see someone like me completely enamored with meeting him. I offered to pay for the print again, and was promptly scolded by Marilyn for the third time. What great people...

Green Hornet #1 signed by Neal

The final thing that blew my mind was that Neal congratulated me on choosing to bring him an issue of Green Hornet as opposed to his usual Batman related products. He said something along the lines of 'I love signing Batman stuff... it is some of my alltime favorite work. But when someone brings something like this (referring to my Green Hornet #1) for me to sign, it makes me even happier!'. Wow. I love getting statements like that directed at me from one of my all time favorite comic creators. Thanks for making my Comic Con a memorable one Neal...

The man, the myth, the legend... and Neal Adams! 

Also, as a slight aside, Neal Adams son Josh had a small table set up on the side. Josh draws the IDW Dr. Who comic and his art is fantastic. Not like that was to be unexpected... he is Neal Adams son after all. Since Marilyn wouldn't let me spend any money on Neal's stuff, I decided to monetarily take care of Josh instead. I purchased a couple of the Dr. Who books that Josh had available at his table and he was kind enough to personalize them for me. What a good family of artists doing something they love. All in all, one of the best memories of my comic book collecting life.

Thanks Josh!!!!