R.I.P. Dwayne McDuffie

It's news that I hope that isn't true, that seems like it can't be true, but apparently is true. Comic Book Resources has reported that comic creator and animation legend Dwayne McDuffie has died from complications from surgery.

I'm in shock. McDuffie was one of my favorite writers. I loved Damage Control and he helped one of my favorite adaptations of a comic book property, the excellent Justice League Unlimited, come to life on TV.

He's a vital part of comic book and animation history. He will be missed.

Condolences to his fans, friends and family.

Welcome to the New Blog

Hello, all! And welcome to my new blog!

My name is William Gatevackes, and I love comic books. I also, sometimes, find something to rant about comic books. These rants will appear here.

I am a comic book reviewer at PopMatters.com. My writing there can be found here.

I also write for Broken Frontier.com. My writing there can be found here.

I am also the comic book editor at FilmBuffOnline.  Links to my writing can be found here.

Whatever doesn't fit in those locations will be found here or in my other personal blog, Gates Rants.

Stop by often!
Bill

I would like to have a word with Kevin Maguire

I have always wanted to speak with artist Kevin Maguire. I have questions to ask him about one particular cover he drew. That would be the cover to Justice League America #28:




In particular, I would like to ask him about one specific part of the cover:

Why would I want to ask him about this character? Because at the time this book came out, that character looked exactly like me. EXACTLY!

Let’s check them off:

•Goofy Haircut? CHECK!
•Square & Nerdy Glasses? CHECK!
•Batman T-Shirt? CHECK!
•Penchant for wearing sweatpants in public? CHECK!
•Hi-Top, No Name Sneakers, Untied? CHECK!
•Penchant for eating Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches? CHECK!

The only thing that was not an exact duplicate of me at this time of my life was the exposed midriff. I knew how fat I was and always kept that part securely covered.

So, I wanted to ask Kevin if he was living in Northeast Pennsylvania at that time and somehow saw me on his travels. Because that resemblance was quite uncanny. I was afraid to leave the house for weeks because I was afraid I’d be put on another comic cover!