(From Fantastic Four #543 by Dwayne McDuffie & Paul Pelletier. Click here to view a larger version.)
The above is probably one of my favorite moments from recent Fantastic Four stories, and one that stuck in my mind for quite some time after originally reading it. It's quite a smart comic, where it is finally explained how one individual can't change the history of the world by going back in time, but a group can. And what's the magic number for that to work? Four.
This is from the final issue of Dwayne McDuffie's run on Fantastic Four. With his incredibly untimely passing today, I thought it would be a nice time to spotlight and talk about it. While his runs wasn't exactly perfect and had lots of critics, I think there were some very clever, fun and heartwarming moments that made it quite an interesting run.
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9 comments:
R.I.P Dwayne mcDuffie...
McDuffie had a hand at making Static relevant in the DCU through the animated series, and for that I'll forever be thankful.
Wow. . . I'm deeply saddened. I'm 18 right now and through most of my childhood Dwayne's cartoons were always in my life. Justice league was always a favorite, but it was Static Shock that showed me that you can write a strong African American hero. Thanks Dwayne for keeping me afloat in a sea of white heroes
The guy helped keep the DCUA going strong for my entire young adult life and for that I am thankful. RIP Mr. McDuffie
meh I thought his JLA was really weak
Very sad. Too soon.
Man, Marvel and DC should really listen to McDuffie's answer to solving the problem of Continuity. I mean its sheer simple brilliance that I can't understand why the Big 2 wouldn't lol.
Anyways, seems like a awesome guy and i love his animated stuff along with what i seen of his comic runs. Its a shame this guy isn't heralded to the likes Grant Morrison or Alan Moore honestly.
Well Servando, the big 2 have always had the impression that their way of continuity thinking is what is best. And in a warped way, they're right..(at least to the everyday fan)
I mean, even today, a majority of DC comic book fans blame McDuffie mostly for his JLA run's failure and firing when editorial put him in a clear no win situation. But at the same time, non comic book fans recognize his JLU as the heroes through the series.
His ability to turn stories from page to animation that could reach the masses was massively insightful and talented.
And it is interesting that you chose this page as the moment Matt because his Fantastic Four run actually showed how you can incorporate crossovers and comic universe happenings in a book yet tell your own story.
I know later he was "removed" for more "popular" writers, but in his short time, he tied together Civil War, his Beyond mini, foreshadowing of the Annihilation/War of kings stuff, the Richards' fracture, insight into the Black Panther and Storm union, and a Doctor Doom that was Majestic and Menacing... (Rather than the "crazzeee uncle" that was introduced by not just 1 but 2 teams that followed.
Was everything perfect? No. But some of the venom thrown his way by 'fans' was undeserved because above all else, McDuffie wanted everyone to just enjoy what they were reading and watching. Then move on to other people's works....
Then again, my last post was a bit angry when it comes to his detractors so I'll leave on these words by Ben Grimm:
"...When it is over, we leave the world in a better place than when we found it..."
I hope that McDuffie's works across the mediums inspire people and fans across the genres to pickup his baton and go with it...
After all we all know people who don't read comics but love Ben 10, Static Shock, and Justice League Unlimited. Thanks McDuff!
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