Writer – Editor – DWAYNE McDUFFIE
Dear Loyal Airmen, a few days ago we, like the rest of the comic community were shocked and saddened by the passing of one of the most talented writer/editors to ever work in our field, 48 yr. old Dwayne McDuffie.  Dwayne first entered the business as a writer for Marvel and soon became an editor with them.  Always concerned with improving the comics work place for minority groups, Dwayne and several African American colleagues went on to create Milestone Comics to further their goals.  It was here he created the cool teenage African American superhero, Static.  Eventually DC assimilated the line and Warner Brothers Animation picked developed Static as a Saturday morning cartoon series. It lasted four years and was one of the most exciting an original such shows ever produced. Its success led to Dwayne continuing his association with Warners Animation and in particular writer/producer Bruce Timm who then hired him as a story editor on the amazing cartoon series Justice League and its popular sequel Justice League Unlimited.  Known for it is great animation and marvelous stories, JLU is considered one of the finest animated series ever realized and Story Editor Dwayne McDuffie was a big part of that success.  Ironically, on the day his passing was announced, WB Animation had just released their latest DVD animated release, ALL STAR SUPERMAN, screenplay by Dwayne McDuffie. 

                 
We never had the pleasure of meeting Dwayne, though we were lucky enough to exchange a few messages with him on Facebook shortly after connecting with each other. To a stranger he was courteous and polite and the Air Chief is happy he got the chance to tell him what big fans we were of his work.  Now his unique, thoughtful and creative voice is gone and we as a creative community are wounded by that loss.  Still, it is my hope that all of us involved with comics will remember Dwayne McDuffie and honor his legacy by striving in our own careers to produce only the best we have to offer. He never gave anything less.  Rest in peace, Dwayne.

              
And so we thought it would be fitting to end this week's Flight Log with a sneak-peek at a new 8 pg comic strip we wrote recently for Twilight Start Studios called “The Lonely Guy.”  The art is by the talented Cesar Feliciano and above is page two. The unique feature of this particular strip is that it is told solely through Cesar's wonderful art. There are no captions or word balloons. It is a silent, visual experience and only the second time the Air Chief has ever done this.  As soon as the strip appears in print, we'll let you know in what title it is available and how to procure a copy.

Thanks for stopping as always and we'll see you here again next week.
Ron – Over & Out!