Dwayne McDuffie
publication date: Saturday, August 16, 2025 (part of August 2025)
category: Comics
clue: He couldn't do enough damage control after multiple firings for criticizing the treatment of Black creators and characters, but his efforts are nonetheless remembered as a milestone that helped the major comic book publishers treat minorities less statically, even if he never got to tell his famous half-brother about them.
explanation: McDuffie worked in various stints for Marvel and DC, creating Damage Control for the former. He co-founded Milestone Media to publish comics by racially diverse creators about racially diverse characters, and there co-created Static (who was later bought by DC and integrated into DC canon). Four years after McDuffie passed away in 2011, comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key discovered that they were biological half-brothers. more…
intended difficulty: medium
solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, Samir Mehta, and Richard Slominsky
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