The Big Book
Where Organized Crime Meets Organized Comics and Organized Beef
Al Capone
"Scarface"
1920-1932
Chicago Outfit
Chicago's most notorious gangster during Prohibition. Built empire on bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering.
Lucky Luciano
"The Father of Modern Organized Crime"
1920-1962
Genovese Family
Established The Commission and modernized the American Mafia into a corporate structure.
Meyer Lansky
"The Mob's Accountant"
1920-1983
National Crime Syndicate
Financial genius who helped organize crime families and developed Las Vegas casinos.
Bugsy Siegel
"The Flamingo King"
1920-1947
National Crime Syndicate
Visionary who built Las Vegas into a gambling empire, starting with the Flamingo Hotel.
John Gotti
"The Dapper Don"
1985-2002
Gambino Family
Flamboyant boss who loved media attention and expensive suits. Eventually brought down by his underboss.
Frank Costello
"The Prime Minister"
1920-1973
Luciano/Genovese Family
Politician-friendly boss who preferred negotiation over violence.
Carlo Gambino
"Don Carlo"
1957-1976
Gambino Family
Low-key boss who built the most powerful crime family through shrewd business deals.
Vito Genovese
"Don Vito"
1920-1969
Genovese Family
Ruthless boss who ordered hits on rivals and tried to dominate the Commission.
Sam Giancana
"Momo"
1940-1975
Chicago Outfit
Chicago boss with connections to CIA, JFK, and Hollywood stars.
Joseph Bonanno
"Joe Bananas"
1931-2002
Bonanno Family
Traditionalist boss who wrote an autobiography exposing mob secrets.
Static Shock
2000-2004
TV Series
Groundbreaking animated series featuring African-American superhero Virgil Hawkins with electromagnetic powers.
Milestone Comics
1993-1997
Company Co-Founded
Revolutionary comic company focused on diverse characters and creators, published by DC Comics.
Justice League Unlimited
2004-2006
Story Editor/Writer
McDuffie wrote and edited numerous episodes, bringing depth and diversity to DC's premier superhero team.
Ben 10 Franchise
2005-2008
Story Editor
Helped develop the mythology and storytelling for this hit Cartoon Network series.
Damage Control
1989
Comic Series
Satirical Marvel series about the company that cleans up after superhero battles.
All-Star Superman
2011
Animated Film Writer
Adapted Grant Morrison's acclaimed comic into animated feature, McDuffie's final major work.
Icon & Rocket
1993-1997
Comic Series Creator
Created conservative alien superhero Icon and his liberal teenage sidekick Rocket for Milestone.
Beyond!
2006
Marvel Limited Series
Six-issue series featuring obscure Marvel heroes trapped on Battleworld.
Harvey Award
1994
Award
Won Best Writer for his work on Milestone Comics, particularly Hardware and Icon.
McDuffie's Legacy
2011
Impact on Industry
Passed away suddenly in 2011, but revolutionized representation in comics and animation forever.
First McDonald's Restaurant
1940
Milestone
Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened first restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
Ray Kroc Joins
1954
Milestone
Milkshake machine salesman Ray Kroc discovered McDonald's and saw franchise potential.
Big Mac Invented
1967
Menu Innovation
Jim Delligatti created the iconic double-decker burger in Pittsburgh.
Golden Arches Logo
1962
Branding
Iconic golden 'M' arches became official logo, designed by Stanley Clark Meston.
Happy Meal Launch
1979
Menu Innovation
First meal marketed specifically to children, complete with toy and themed box.
Chicken McNuggets
1983
Menu Innovation
Created by Chef René Arend, became instant hit nationwide.
McRib Debut
1981
Menu Innovation
Boneless pork sandwich with BBQ sauce, famous for limited-time returns.
Going Global
1967-1971
Expansion
First international locations in Canada (1967), Japan, and Netherlands (1971).
Ronald McDonald
1963
Mascot
Willard Scott created the original Ronald McDonald character for TV commercials.
All-Day Breakfast
2015
Menu Innovation
After years of customer requests, McDonald's finally offered breakfast items all day.