In 1993, DC Comics’ four-issue miniseries The Golden Age debuted. Written by James Robinson and illustrated by artist Paul Smith with colorist Richard Ory, the miniseries was published under DC’s Elseworlds imprint; the imprint featured stories set outside of DC’s established narrative continuity, and the creative team used this narrative freedom to cast various Golden Age superheroes — such as Johnny Quick, Starman, Hourman, and the original Green Lantern, among others — in a McCarthy Era adventure.

From THE GOLDEN AGE #1; art by Paul Smith and Richard Ory

Set in the late 1940s, The Golden Age depicts retired superheroes as they struggle to find relevance in post-war America, while a sinister conspiracy unfolds. The miniseries was popular with readers, and DC Comics made plans to publish a sequel entitled The Silver Age with acclaimed artist Howard Chaykin. As noted by Jason Sacks in American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s:

“Aided by Paul Smith’s polished, cinematic art, Robinson’s work on The Golden Age made him a rising industry superstar, and he was tasked with writing a sequel to the mini-series with the appropriate title of The Silver Age. Featuring art by Howard Chaykin, The Silver Age would have begun with Jim Harper, formerly the Golden Age Guardian, investigating a series of murders. Harper soon discovers there is more happening than he expected, with ramifications that go to the top of the American Cold War government.”

According to Sacks, in addition to the Golden Age Guardian, The Silver Age would also feature DC characters that debuted in the 1950s, including the Martian Manhunter, the Flash, and the Challengers of the Unknown. Although the comic was scheduled to appear in the summer of 1997, it never materialized.

But Sacks notes that Robinson “instead co-created a very different legacy comic book for publication in 1994. It would cement him as one of the most important writers of the 1990s.” This is an apparent reference to Robinson’s work on the celebrated DC title Starman, which debuted in 1994 and follows the adventures of Jack Knight, the son of Ted Knight, the Golden Age superhero Starman. The series features Jack’s modern heroics, but also celebrates DC’s rich narrative history by depicting Ted’s past adventures as the Golden Age Starman.

Golden Age heroes appear in STARMAN #11; art by Matt Smith and Gregory Wright

Although comics fans may lament the unrealized partnership of Robinson and Chaykin on a comic that would have featured DC’s Silver Age heroes, Robinson’s acclaimed existing work on The Golden Age and Starman masterfully showcases the adventures of DC’s classic heroes.