Summary
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DC finally acknowledges Naomi McDuffie’s sudden disappearance from the Justice League Blue bug #11.
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Naomi’s potential as a powerful hero was not fully explored before her disappearance from the DC Universe.
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While her co-creator is no longer in DC, there is hope that Naomi will eventually return to the spotlight.
Warning: Contains spoilers for Blue bug #11!
DC is finally calling out the total disappearance of a once major member of the Justice League. For a brief time in the DC Universe, Naomi McDuffie was seemingly everywhere, and was even a member of the Justice League. Then Naomi disappeared as quickly as she arrived, with no real explanation. Naomi’s disappearing act gets a call in Blue bug #11, as DC finally acknowledges it.
Blue bug #11 was written by Josh Trujillo and drawn by Adrian Gutierrez. Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle, is enjoying some downtime with his family, who he sees less of these days. When they catch up, someone asks Jaime if he’s seeing anyone, followed by asking what “happened to the nice Naomi girl?” After reminding them that what he had with Naomi was a long time.
Finally, Jaime’s father noted that Naomi “just disappeared one day.”
Naomi’s origin in the DC Universe, explained
Naomi was ready for great things
In 2018, DC Comics lured writer Brian Michael Bendis away from Marvel, where he had been exclusive for many years. DC rolled out the red carpet for Bendis, allowing him to curate an imprint called “Wonder Comics.” Naomi was the imprint’s flagship title. Named in tribute to the late Dwayne McDuffie, Naomi is arguably one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe. When Bendis took over writing duties for the Justice LeagueHe added Naomi to the team’s ranks. Naomi experienced one of the fastest rides to the top in DC history.
Writer David F. Walker and artist Jamal Campbell helped create Naomi alongside Bendis.
The sky was the limit for Naomi. Just a few short years after her first appearance, Naomi received one of comics’ highest honors: her own live-action series. Although this should have pushed Naomi into mainstream release, the show was canceled after one season. Then, shortly after that… Naomi just disappeared. Not only did her TV show flop, but her book was canceled as well. In addition, the Justice League disbanded. Although no in-universe reason for Naomi’s disappearance has been given, the truth may lie with her co-creator Bendis’ exodus from DC.
Will Naomi ever return to the DC Universe?
Naomi is full of story potential
For a brief time, Naomi’s star burned brightly in the DC Universe, and then faded. She hasn’t been seen in a DC comic for a while now, and Blue bug #11 is the first mention of Naomi in recent memory. Even though her co-creator is no longer at DC, it doesn’t have to be the end for Naomi. The character was brimming with potential, a potential that wasn’t fully explored during her time with Dee Justice League. Naomi is too good a character to remain missing for long, but it remains to be seen if she will ever return.
Blue bug #11 is on sale now from DC Comics!
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Blue bug #11 (2024) |
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