In Memory of Dwayne McDuffie

I'm holding a gathering tomorrow night to watch "All Star Superman" in honor of the life of Dwayne McDuffie. This was Dwayne's last work in animation writing, and he died of complications during surgery on the day it was released.

I had never really acknowledged the greatness of the man's work while he was alive, and I don't think many people did. He was a driving creative force behind DC Comic's "Milestone" Imprint, which sought to create minority superheroes, it's most famous claim being "Static" which would become the twice Emmy Nominated cartoon "Static Shock" and launch Dwayne into a brilliant, if unheralded career in Animation, including the legendary "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" and "Teen Titans". All of which are shows my daughter and I love very much.

So many artists live their lives unknown, only to be discovered when they are gone. And while Dwayne didn't die penniless, he was not among the pantheon of great-in-their lifetimes comic book artists and writers like Shuster and Seigel or Stan Lee or Jack Kirby. He wasn't even a Steve Ditko, or John Byrne and not counted in company of modern favorites like Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Allen Moore, Warren Ellis or Grant Morrison (whose work he adapted in the animated version of "All Star Superman".) He had a quiet, unsung but brilliant career.

But I have a feeling the greatness of his writing will be recognized and will live on, and that is as much as any of us could wish for as artists.

I'll miss you Dwayne,

You were a superhero in my book.