Today in Comics History, February 20: Happy birthday, Dwayne McDuffie!

Born on this day in 1962: Dwayne McDuffie, writer, producer, co-founder of Milestone Comics, co-creator of Damage Control, Static, Icon and Rocket, Hardware, and much more.



from (top) "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Age #60 (Marvel, March 1988);
R: "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated September 1989



One of the too-soon losses of a major talent in the comics industry, Dwayne passed away one day after his 49th birthday in 2011 after complications from emergency heart surgery.



from (top) from "On the Ledge" in Vertigo Comics cover-dated June 2011;
(bottom) Static Shock Special #1 one-shot (DC, August 2011)
Here's a two-page loving (and tear-invoking) comics homage to Dwayne and his legacy, followed by a moving essay from Michael Davis.



from Static Shock Special #1 one-shot; script by Matt Wayne, pencils and inks by John Paul Leon, colors by Noelle Giddings, letters by Dave Sharpe
The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics was established in 2015 (2020's awards are being announced today).


Naomi, a new young character in the DCU, was given the last name "McDuffie" as a homage.


From Naomi #6 (DC, September 2019); script by Brian Michael Bendis and David Walker; pencils, inks, and colors by Jamal Campbell, letters by Wes Abbott
Happy birthday, Dwayne McDuffie. You opened our eyes to new cultures and stories, and we miss you very much.


from "DC Nation" in DC Comics cover-dated November 2007
PS: More about this year's Dwayne McDuffie Award here.