Dwayne McDuffie | |
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Born | Detroit, Michigan, US |
Nationality | American |
Area(s) | Writer, Producer, editor |
Notable works | Damage Control Deathlok Static Justice League Justice League (TV series) Beyond! Fantastic Four Static Shock Justice League Unlimited Ben 10: Alien Force Ben 10: Ultimate Alien |
Official website |
Dwayne McDuffie is an American writer of comic books and television. His notable works include creating the animated series Static Shock, writing and producing the animated series Justice League Unlimited, and co-founding the comic book company Milestone Media.
Contents |
Biography
McDuffie was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and attended Roeper School. He attended the University of Michigan[1] studying physics, graduating with an undergraduate degree in English, and a graduate degree in physics[citation needed]. He then moved to New York to attend film school at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
He co-hosted a radio comedy program, and also wrote under a pseudonym for stand-up comedians and late-night television comedy programs. While working as a copy-editor for a financial magazine, a friend got him an interview for an assistant editor position at Marvel Comics.
Comic books
While on staff at Marvel as Bob Budiansky's assistant on special projects,[2] McDuffie also scripted stories for the company. His first major work was Damage Control, a series about the company that shows up between issues and tidies up the mess left by the latest round of superhero/supervillain battles. While an editor at Marvel, he submitted a spoof proposal for a comic entitled Teenage Negro Ninja Thrasher in response to Marvel's treatment of its black characters [3]. Becoming a freelancer in early 1990, McDuffie followed that with dozens of various comics titles for Marvel comics, DC Comics, and Archie Comics. He wrote Monster in My Pocket for Harvey Comics editor Sid Jacobson, whom he cites on his website as having taught him everything he knows.[citation needed]
Milestone Media
In 1992, wanting to express a multi-cultural sensibility that he felt was missing in comic books, McDuffie co-founded Milestone Media, a comic book company owned by African-Americans. McDuffie explained:
“ | If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race or that sex, and they can't be interesting because everything they do has to represent an entire block of people. You know, Superman isn't all white people and neither is Lex Luthor. We knew we had to present a range of characters within each ethnic group, which means that we couldn't do just one book. We had to do a series of books and we had to present a view of the world that's wider than the world we've seen before.[4] | ” |
Milestone debuted its titles in 1993 through a publishing deal with DC Comics. Serving as editor-in-chief, McDuffie created or co-created many characters, including Static.
Television
After Milestone had ceased publishing new comics, Static was developed into an animated series Static Shock. McDuffie was hired to write and story-edit on the series, writing eleven episodes.
His other television writing credits included Teen Titans and What's New, Scooby-Doo?.
Justice League / Justice League Unlimited
McDuffie was hired to write for the animated series Justice League. He was soon promoted to story editor and producer as the series became Justice League Unlimited. During the entire run of the animated series, McDuffie wrote, produced, or story-edited 69 out of the 91 episodes.
McDuffie also wrote the story for the video game Justice League Heroes.
Ben 10: Alien Force / Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
McDuffie was hired to help revamp and story-edit Cartoon Network's popular animated Ben 10 franchise with Ben 10: Alien Force, continuing the adventures of the ten-year-old title character into his mid and late teenage years. During the run of the series, McDuffie wrote and/or story-edited all forty-six episodes. McDuffie is currently Producing and story editing a second sequel series Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, which premiered in April 2010.
Return to Comics
After his popular work in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, McDuffie returned to writing comic books. He wrote the Marvel mini-series Beyond!, a pseudo-sequel to Secret Wars.
In 2007, McDuffie wrote several issues of Firestorm for DC Comics, starting in January through to its cancellation. Later that year, he started a regular writing duty on Fantastic Four with issue 542,[5] as well as Justice League following Brad Meltzer's run, with issue 13. He was later fired from Justice League following a Lying in the Gutters compilation of his frank answers to fans about the creative process.[6]
Recent work
McDuffie recently wrote Milestone Forever for DC Comics, a two-issue, prestige format mini-series chronicling the final adventures of his Milestone characters before a catastrophic event that fuses their continuity with the continuity of the DC Universe.
The Dwayne McDuffie Forums
Since 1997 McDuffie hosts in his Official website the Dwayne McDuffie Forums, which feature threads revolving around his works and their related and diverse fields. The longest thread is Ask The Maestro (that's Dwayne), in which he answers questions from his fans.
Awards
In 2003, McDuffie and co-writer Alan Burnett were awarded the Humanitas Prize in Children's Animation for the "Jimmy" episode of Static Shock. In both 2003 and 2004 he was nominated, with other Static Shock creators, for daytime Emmy awards.
In 2005, he was nominated for the Writers Guild of America award in animation, with Rich Fogel and John Ridley for the "Starcrossed" episode of Justice League.
In 2008, McDuffie was voted 'Favorite Breakout Talent' in the Wizard Fan Awards in Wizard Magazine.
In 2009, McDuffie won Comic Con International's Inkpot Award.
Filmography
- Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
- Ben 10: Alien Force 2008-2010
- Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 2010–present
- Justice League 2002-2006
- Static Shock 2000-2004
- Teen Titans 2004
- What's New, Scooby-Doo? 2002
Bibliography
Regular writer
- "Overture." Marvel Comics Presents #19 (Marvel Comics, May 1989) - (1st Damage Control appearance)
- Damage Control #1-4 (Marvel Comics, May 1989-August 1989) - (limited series)
- Captain Marvel Giant-Sized Special #1 (Marvel Comics, November 1989) - (one-shot)
- The Sensational She-Hulk in Ceremony #1-2 (Marvel Comics, 1989) - (limited series)
- Giant Size Special Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel Comics, November 1989) - (one-shot)
- Avengers Spotlight #26-29 (Marvel Comics, December 1989-February 1990) - (Acts of Vengeance story)
- Damage Control (vol. 2) #1-4 (Marvel Comics, December 1989-February 1990) - (limited series)
- The Amazing Spider-Man: Children Special #1-3 (Marvel Comics [Canada], 1990)
- Deathlok #1-4 (Marvel Comics, July 1990-October 1990) - (limited series)
- Monster in My Pocket #1-4 (Harvey Comics, May 1991-September 1991) - (script)
- Damage Control (vol. 3) #1-4 (Marvel Comics, June 1991-September 1991) - (limited series)
- Prince: Alter Ego (DC Comics [Piranha Music, 1991) - (one-shot)
- Deathlok (vol. 2) #1-5 (Marvel Comics, July 1991-November 1991)
- Prince: Three Chains of Gold (DC Comics [Piranha Music, 1992) - (one-shot)
- Double Dragon #1-4 (Marvel Comics, July 1991-October 1991)
- Deathlok (vol. 2) #11-16, annual #1 (Marvel Comics, May 1992-October 1992)
- "Rest and Sweet Glory." Marvel Comics Presents #113-118 (Marvel Comics, 1992) - (Giant-Man II story)
- The Demon #26-29 (DC Comics, August 1992-November 1992)
- Back to the Future: Forward to the Future #1-3 (Harvey Comics, October 1992-January 1993)
- Blood Syndicate #1-4 (Milestone Comics, April 1993-July 1993)
- Hardware #1-8,10-19, 25, 29-32 (DC Comics [Milestone], April 1993-October 1995)
- Icon #1-10,13,15-17,19-31,34-36,38-42 (DC Comics [Milestone], May 1993-February 1997)
- Static #1-4 (DC Comics [Milestone], June 1993-September 1993)
- Shadow Cabinet #0 (DC Comics [Milestone], January 1994) - (co-writer)
- Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel Comics, February 1994) - (one-shot)
- Worlds Collide #1 (DC Comics [Milestone], July 1994) - (one-shot)
- X-O Manowar #17,19-21 (Acclaim Comics, February 1998-June 1998)
- Sins of Youth: Kid Flash/Impulse #1 (DC Comics, May 2000) - (one-shot)
- Static Shock! Rebirth of the Cool #1-4 (DC Comics [Milestone], January 2001-September 2001)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #156-158 (DC Comics, August 2002-October 2002)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #164-167 (DC Comics, April 2003-July 2003)
- Fantastic Four Special #1 (Marvel Comics, February 2006) - (one-shot)
- Beyond! #1-6 (Marvel Comics, July 2006-December 2006) - (limited series)
- Fantastic Four #542-553 (Marvel Comics, )
- Justice League of America #13-33 (DC Comics, 2007–2009)
Fill-in writer
- "Fall Guy." Solo Avengers #13 (Marvel Comics, December 1988) - (Wonder Man story; co-writer)
- Clive Barker's Hellraiser #2 (Marvel Comics [Epic], 1989)
- St. George #8 (Marvel Comics [Epic], August 1989)
- Iron Man #251-252 (Marvel Comics, December 1989-January 1990)
- Power Pack #55 (Marvel Comics, April 1990)
- Avengers Annual #19 (Marvel Comics, 1990)
- Avengers West Coast Annual #5 (Marvel Comics, 1990)
- Iron Man Annual #11 (Marvel Comics, 1990)
- "Test Run." Marvel Comics Presents #62 (Marvel Comics, November 1990) - (Deathlok story; co-writer)
- "Shadow of a Doubt." Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #4 (Marvel Comics, December 1990) - (Black Knight story; co-writer)
- "Cupid's Arrow." Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #9 (Marvel Comics, April 1992) - (Avengers West Coast/Hercules story)
- "Not to Touch the Earth." Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #11 (Marvel Comics, October 1992) - (Giant-Man II story; co-writer)
- "Cupid's Error." Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #12 (Marvel Comics, January 1993) - (Falcon story; co-writer)
- Clive Barker's Hellraiser #7-10 (Marvel Comics [Epic], 1991)
- Clive Barker's Hellraiser #15 (Marvel Comics [Epic], 1992)
- Hardware #25 (DC Comics [Milestone], March 1995)
- "Communications Error." JLA Showcase 80-Page Giant #1 (DC Comics, February 1993)
- Static #14 (DC Comics [Milestone], August 1994)
- Blood Syndicate #35 (DC Comics [Milestone], February 1996)
- Impulse #60 (DC Comics, May 2000)
- "Never Say Die." Batman: Gotham Knights #27 (DC Comics, May 2002)
Editor
- Freddy Kreuger's A Nightmare on Elm Street #1-2 (Marvel Comics, October 1989-November 1989)
- Blood Syndicate #1-30 (DC Comics [Milestone], April 1993-September 1995)
- Hardware #1-10 (DC Comics [Milestone], April 1993-December 1993)
- Icon #1-8 (DC Comics [Milestone], May 1993-December 1993)
- Static #1-28 (DC Comics [Milestone], June 1993-October 1995)
- Static #30 (DC Comics [Milestone], December 1995)
- Shadow Cabinet #0 (DC Comics [Milestone], January 1994)
- Xombi #0 (DC Comics [Milestone], January 1994)
- Frank #1-2 (Harvey Comics, March 1994-May 1994) - (limited series)
- "The Call." Superman: The Man of Steel #34 (DC Comics, June 1994) - (Kobalt preview)
- Kobalt #1-10 (DC Comics [Milestone], June 1994-March 1995)
- Shadow Cabinet #1-17 (DC Comics [Milestone], June 1994-October 1995)
- Xombi #1-16 (DC Comics [Milestone], June 1994-September 1995)
- Worlds Collide #1 (DC Comics [Milestone], July 1994) - (one-shot)
- Deathwish #1-4 (DC Comics [Milestone], December 1994-March 1995) - (mini-series)
- My Name is Holocaust #1 (DC Comics [Milestone], May 1995) - (mini-series)
- Kobalt #14 (DC Comics [Milestone], August 1995)
- Static Shock! Rebirth of the Cool #1-4 (DC Comics [Milestone], January 2001-September 2001)
Notes
- ^ Biography at official website
- ^ "Bullpen Bulletins," Marvel Comics cover-dated June 1990.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (2008-02-18). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #138". Comic Book Resources. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2008/01/17/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-138/. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ Milestone history at McDuffie's official site.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Dwayne McDuffie fired from Justice League, Robot 6, Comic Book Resources, May 28, 2009
References
- Dwayne McDuffie at the Grand Comics Database
- Dwayne McDuffie at the Comic Book DB
- Dwayne McDuffie at Marvel.com
External links
Interviews
Preceded by Danny Fingeroth |
Iron Man writer 1989–1990 |
Succeeded by John Byrne |
Preceded by None |
Deathlok writer 1990–1992 |
Succeeded by Gregory Wright |
Preceded by None |
Blood Syndicate writer/editor 1993 (writer) (editor) |
Succeeded by Ivan Velez Jr. (writer) Matt Wayne (editor) |
Preceded by None |
Hardware writer/editor 1993–1994 (writer) 1993 (editor) |
Succeeded by Adam Blaustein (writer) Matt Wayne (editor) |
Preceded by None |
Icon writer 1993–1997 |
Succeeded by None |
Preceded by None |
Static writer/editor 1993 (writer) (editor) |
Succeeded by Robert L. Washington III (writer) Jacqueline Ching (editor) |
Preceded by None |
Shadow Cabinet writer/editor 1994 (with Robert L. Washington III) (writer) (editor) |
Succeeded by Robert L. Washington III (writer) None (editor) |
Preceded by None |
Xombi writer/editor 1994 (writer) (editor) |
Succeeded by John Rozum (writer) Jacqueline Ching (editor) |
Preceded by Adam Blaustein & Yves Fezzani |
Hardware writer 1995 |
Succeeded by John Rozum |
Preceded by Brian Augustyn |
X-O Manowar (vol 2) writer 1998 |
Succeeded by None |
Preceded by Mark D. Bright (writer) Matt Wayne (editor) (in 1997) |
Static Shock! Rebirth of the Cool writer/editor 2001 |
Succeeded by None |
Preceded by Mike Baron |
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight writer 2002 |
Succeeded by John Ostrander |
Preceded by John Arcudi |
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight writer 2003 |
Succeeded by Tom Peyer |
Preceded by Stuart Moore |
Firestorm writer 2007 |
Succeeded by N/A |
Preceded by J. Michael Straczynski |
Fantastic Four writer 2007-2008 |
Succeeded by Mark Millar |
Preceded by Brad Meltzer |
Justice League of America writer 2007—2009 |
Succeeded by Len Wein |
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