Dwayne McDuffie, In Memorium

As I sat down this afternoon to collect some rambling comic book thoughts and pick a new random book to review, word broke that we lost another legend and that we lost him way too soon.

Dwayne McDuffie passed away at the way too young age of 49, due to complications from surgery.

The fact that it happened the day before the release of the critically acclaimed, animated adaption of All Star Superman (for which he wrote the screenplay) just underscores how much more he had to offer if only he was given more time.

His was a true talent that found success at not only Marvel and DC, but also with his own line of superhero comics that he co-created in 1992. As much of an unabashed superhero consumer that I've been over the years, it's the Milestone books that loom large in my memory and my longboxes.

Back in the early 90's, you couldn't turn around without bumping into a new imprint looking to cash in on the go-go world of flashy covers and leg pouches...lots and lots of leg pouches. Milestone was different, choosing to stress racial and cultural diversity, rather than double d heroines in thongs. For that, they kept their reputation intact long after the line had folded.

Being born into a middle-class Caucasian family, I never suffered a shortage of role models to look up to in the pages of comic books. Originally, I came to these titles looking not to be inspired, but to be entertained. Luckily for me, and it's a testament to the creators involved, I ended up being both entertained and inspired. I wasn't the only one as there was never a shortage of requests over the intervening years to bring the characters back, which eventually led to the characters return into the pages of the DCU (of which I have a few more thoughts on over at my other blog).

Rest in peace, Dwayne McDuffie.

You will be missed, but not forgotten.

One last bit of business before we call it a day, and that's to pick a new random book to review. I don't feel like too much pomp and circumstance today, so let's just get it done and get out.

...and that book is Avengers Spotlight #40 from January 1991, published by Marvel Comics!

See you in a day or two for the review.