September 6, 2011

Infinity Inc.


In case you missed it, DC Comics reprinted the early issues of Infinity, Inc., in a paperback edition earlier this summer. Infinity, Inc. was another casualty of the company’s need to clean up their muddled continuity from the past. Furthermore, the group has a special connection to DC Comics’ Golden Age of characters.

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While DC Comics reboots it’s universe again with the New 52 campaign of renumbering titles back to number one, it’s not hard to forget what brought us to these events. Mini-series such as Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis sought to correct DC Comics’ multiple-Earths storylines, characters and comic-books. One of the many titles affected was Infinity, Inc.




Infinity, Inc. had tremendous ties to the past as most of them were related to Golden Age characters such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and especially the Justice Society. The Golden Age of comics refers to the initial beginnings of these characters and the times they were first created. Earth-2 was the home of these characters and it also the same timeline they were in (i.e. World War 2). Modern comics (The Silver Age) often depicted characters from both worlds interacting with each other. While the stories were great, there was obviously a continuity issue brought about by the separate planets and timelines. Plus, it wasn’t really plausible having characters doing all the planet hopping. Which brings us to Infinity, Inc.




The Huntress
As children of Earth-2 characters, they also resided in the same planet and carried on the mantle of heroism from their parents and relatives of the Justice Society. They were the children of or related to the members of the Justice Society of America but were denied membership in the group. Eventually, they banded together to form Infinity, Inc. The members were Obsidian and Jade, children of the Golden Age Green Lantern; Fury, daughter of the Golden Age Wonder Woman; Huntress who was the daughter of the Golden Age Batman and Catwoman and others like Nuklon, Power Girl and Northwind. The group had a mentor in the original Star Spangled Kid, who later became Skyman. Mr. Bones, a former villain of the group, eventually became a member.

Unfortunately, the Crisis on Infinite Earths miniseries wreaked havoc on the group and readers as well. The aftermath of the Crisis resulted in the removal of Earth-2, leading to background changes for Fury, Huntress and Power Girl. Huntress was seemingly killed during the miniseries. Fury’s history was altered in that her character was retconned to be the daughter of the Goldern Age Fury. Power Girl was instead a descendant of the Atlantean sorcerer Arion in the new timeline. The series ended with the death of Skyman. The early issues showcased artwork by Jerry Ordway and Todd McFarlane’s early work was also an Infinity, Inc. penciller in later issues.


Fans looking to get a glimpse of the old DC Comics’ timeline and Golden Age stories, should not miss this release. While the Teen Titans took most of the spotlight during the 1980s, as the premiere young adult superhero group, Infinity, Inc. had a great following as well. No word yet on a digital edition of the series.

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