This one hurts.
As almost every comic, and animation fan knows, Dwayne McDuffie died after complications from surgery. For some reason, I can't get over the shock. Other creators, including legends (Kirby, Aparo for me in particular), have passed away- but it never felt this unreal before. I keep expecting some site to have an update, stating that they got the story all wrong. He was so much in his prime. How much? Well, I heard the news as I was halfway through his animated adaptation of All Star Superman...which came out TODAY!
If you ever enjoyed Justice League Unlimited, chances are it was because of Dwayne. The multi-part Cadmus saga, that made up the spine of the shows second season, was all scripted by the Maestro (as he was known on his message board). He could do comedy (the episode where the Flash and Luthor switched minds), romance (the conclusion to John Stewart and Hawkgirl's relationship in Starcrossed), and rousing action (the final episode battle between Superman and Darkseid). He also wrote my single favorite episode, Epilogue (where we learn that Bruce Wayne is Terry's father). He continued scripting the League in the excellent Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths DVD movie, and he had more DC movies in the pipeline. Oh, and if you liked Ben 10, or Static Shock...yep, that was Dwayne too.
Speaking of Static, Dwayne was the chief creative force behind Milestone Media. His creations were special. Icon, was an honest portrayal of a black conservative hero. Hardware, was not a black Iron Man (or War Machine, or Steel). Hardware was the one and only, Hardware! When DC said they were bringing the Milestone characters in, I was the only one of my group who was excited. Because I knew that these were not retreads, but truly unique individuals that would add depth to the DC Universe. But, then the company dropped the ball- big time!
There's an old joke about dancing legend Ginger Rogers. They say, that she had to do everything her partner Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. Sadly, this reminds me of Dwayne's recent comics career. After Brad Meltzer's carte blanche run on the Justice League comic, Dwayne was hired to be the new writer. However, editorial interference ran absolutely amok during his stint. Characters were taken away, and added to the line-up without his say so. He tried to make do, penning constant rewrites. The series also became less about the team, and used more as a launching point for failed mini series (Tangent:Superman's Reign, Salvation Run). As he attempted to stay above water, and using a League that had more than just one token black character, fans accused him of "having an agenda". The only agenda he ever had, was telling good stories. When he defended his run, by pointing out the ways in which the editors were killing those stories, he was fired. Over at Marvel (where he had once created the amusing Damage Control), he was hired to do a short run on the Fantastic Four. His assignment was to fill in between the stints of "bigger name" talents, JMS and Mark Millar. And, oh yeah, Reed and Sue weren't allowed on the team. In the end, most fans agree his brief time outshone Millar and Straczynski's by a lightyear.
Goodbye, Dwayne. But, I plan on revisiting your work time and again.
John!
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