RIP Dwayne McDuffie, by Glenn Hauman and Mike Gold
Noted comics and animation writer Dwayne McDuffiedied Monday evening, reportedly from complications due to a surgical procedure.
Dwayne joined the comics industry in the 80s working for Marvel Comics editorial and special projects. He quickly made his name as a writer creating series such as Damage Control, helping to redefine Deathlok for the nineties, and having She-Hulk break razors while trying to shave her legs– a throwaway gag which became notorious. He soon left the staff job to become a full-time freelance writer.
This led to Dwayne’s co-founding of Milestone Media in 1992, with creators Denys Cowan, Michael Davis and businessman Derek T. Dingle, which expanded the role of minorities in comics both on the page and off, launching a line of comics in 1993 that includedHardware, Blood Syndicate, Static, Icon, Kobalt, Xombi, and the Shadow Cabinet, all of which McDuffie had a hand in creating or co-creating.
Dwayne moved to animation when Static was turned into Static Shock for KidsWB, which led to becoming story editor for the Justice League Unlimited, Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien animated series and writing a number of DC’s recent direct-to-DVD animated projects– his latest work was the script for the All-Star Superman animated adaptation, which went on sale today.
He wrote damn fine comics, most recently on Justice League of America, Fantastic Four, and Firestorm. He was a giant in just about every aspect you care to mention, including size.
Dwayne was a major talent and will be greatly missed.
UPDATES: Apparently Dwayne’s death was due to a heart issue. More details as we get them.
And Heidi found this great interview with Dwayne, to show you a bit of what he was like:
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February 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 pm
We lost a talented and gifted writer today, he was a friend and mentor to many. Most of my early comic industry memories include Dwayne, Michael Davis and Denys Cowan involved in their banter. I’m grateful for his time here. He had many more stories to tell. Dwayne, you will be missed.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:06 pm
This news just breaks my heart, I am thinking about and praying for all of his family and friends. He was an amazingly talented man, who always had a kind word or hysterical quip for me on the occasions we saw each other (via hanging out with Michael).
I know it’s cliche’ but in this case, it is beyond accurate and I mean it from my heart…The world is a poorer place without him in it. God bless and rest in peace Dwayne. You were the goods.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:49 pm
This BEYOND SHOCKING!!!! I just went Dwayne’s site this past Sunday to give him a shout out of congratulations about his stunning work on ALL-STAR SUPERMAN. I found this site because of the extraordinary fun, dynamic and in your face fun his VHIVE forum was. I traveled to Wilmington NC and Philly (ECBACC) to meet Dwayne to try to glean from him on how to better craft my writing, how to pitch my book and how to hang tough.
This giant of a man was a pioneer, generous, brilliant, sarcastic, brilliant, patient, brilliant, and a tremendous human being who absolutely generated magic that put sparks of wonder in the eyes of kids…(like me).
This is just….
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Michael, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I’m sorry man.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:16 pm
I found out about this while surfing the web this afternoon. The news was just so shocking. I don’t have anything meaningful to say about Mr. McDuffie. My interactions with him were brief and trivial. I greatly enjoyed his work and I was always impressed with how open he was to his fans.
Michael, I’m so sorry. This shock coming so soon after your mom’s illness. I can’t even imagine.
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
A hell of a writer, a hell of a man. Always entertaining, always a gentleman.
I was going to email him to congratulate him on the revival of the Milestone characters, now I won’t get the chance.
Michael, my most sincere condolences.