His first work appeared in print in 1981. He later became an assistant editor under Mark Gruenwald in 1982 and wrote a short run of stories in Captain America and Ka-Zar as well as the Assistant Editors' Month issue of Marvel Team-Up (Aunt May and Franklin Richards vs. Galactus). Carlin moved to DC Comics as of October 6, 1986, his 28th birthday, and became group editor of the Superman titles.
His first published work appeared in 1981. He later worked as an assistant editor under Mark Gruenwald in 1982, writing stories for Captain America and Ka-Zar, as well as a special issue of Marvel Team-Up featuring Aunt May and Franklin Richards vs. Galactus. Carlin moved to DC Comics on his 28th birthday (October 6, 1986) and became the group editor for Superman titles.