Justice League of McDuffie

The difference between a good writer and a good black writer!

Last week saw the release of Dwayne McDuffie’s first Justice League of America issue from DC comics. Well almost the first issue, technically this is a one shot issue called “Justice League of America: Wedding Special”. Now I don’t work in the comics field yet so I am sure there is a perfectly good reason why Dwayne’s first issue is not a real issue but a one shot. Anyway anyone who watched Justice League unlimited on Cartoon Network will fall right into step with this book, and why shouldn’t they? Dwayne was a writer, editor and producer for the popular and high rated show so there is a very familiar feel to the tone of the book.

Ok here are some of my problems with the book. First it’s called the “Wedding Special” because for those of you who don’t follow DC comics, we are all in preparation for the nuptials of Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) and Black Canary (Dinah Lance), but there is no wedding. Now if it had been called “Justice League bachelor Party” that might have been more on point. My other problem with the stand alone one shot is that the story gets continued in “Justice League of America” #13 which is actually Dwayne’s first issue. Ok enough griping about that, now for the good….

Too answer the question in the title about the difference about a good writer and a good black writer is that the good black writer is by no means at all ever afraid or ashamed to point out some little piece of ethnic tisity. (Yes I made up a word)! When it was first announced that Dwayne was going to take over writing chores from Brad Meltzer one of the first things he said he was going to do was bring in Green Lantern John Stewart. Well that does happen in this issue and it is done is such a small but creative truthful way. I won’t spoil it here but I will say rare is the writer that can call John Stewart the “Black Lantern” and not have me writing him an angry letter. Another bright spot continues to be Dwayne’s handling of the Batman. Now in my opinion Batman is not an easy character to write for being a human surrounded by demi-gods and holding his own if not being a bit better. Dwayne manages to make the Bat strong and vulnerable all in the same book. On the opposite end he has also managed to capture the true essence of the Joker.

I would suggest anyone who enjoyed and appreciated JLU on television pick up this book. I am giving this book 4 out of 5 afro pics. It would have gotten 5 if there had been an actually wedding! I think we can expect some REALLY great things from D.M.

Stay tuned!