Jerry Ordway: Infinity Inc.

During the 1980s DC Comics was on a roll with its Direct Sales Market only comic book releases.  Having proved to be profitable DC Comics slowly began introducing more titles as time progressed.

Writers Roy and Dann Thomas and artist Jerry Ordway had teamed up on DC Comics All-Star Squadron title and were ready to move on.

They teamed up to produce a new title: Infinity Inc., which starred the children of Golden and Silver age superheroes.

I had the good fortune to meet Jerry Ordway while he was still working for Bill Black’s Americomics.  It was obvious from the start that Jerry was an incredibly gifted artist.

After a short time he began work at DC Comics on All-Star Squadron assisting artist Rich Buckler.  When Rich left the title Jerry stepped in and took the series to new heights.

I remember Jerry as being a very kind, quiet and creative person.  I few years back I contacted him via Facebook and he still remembered our meeting.  

Since working for Americomics Jerry went on to produce some incredible comic books for the Big 2 and smaller publishers.

His slick polished style and complete mastery of the human figure and anything else he sets his mind to is impressive and amazing.  He still produces work today but not in such a large quantity.

I’d love to see more of his work as he brings a whole new perspective to any project he works on.

It was a time of expansion at DC Comics.  While the past was respected and established continuity adhered to, changes were in the air.

Infinity Inc. was released only one year before the Crisis On Infinite Earths by Perez and Wolfman.  That maxi-series would change everything.

Infinity Inc. was a precursor to Crisis. Hints of change were laced throughout the series in preparation for Crisis.

Infinity Inc. changed little after the Crisis because of its new roster of characters.  Their birthright teams altered and in some cases never existed in part.

Roy Thomas was in top form.  His vast knowledge of comic book history (in this case DC Comics history) served him well in Infinity Inc.   The series would run for four years.  Jerry Ordway would remain on the title for most of the run while Roy and Dann Thomas would remain until the series was cancelled.