Chuck Austen

Chuck Austen
Nationality	American
Area(s)	Writer, Artist
http://www.chuckaustenonline.com

Chuck Austen (born Chuck Beckum) is an American writer and artist of comic books, most famous for his controversial work on the popular X-Men franchise, as well as on other Marvel and DC titles.

Career

Origin

Born into a military family Chuck Austen is the eldest of 4 children. Austen's parents met at a USO facility during the Eisenhower administration. His family moved around quite a bit as is common with many Navy brats but his parents marriage was short lived. After a divorce his family settled in suburban Sunnyvale, California, near the home of his maternal grandparents, where he spent his formative years. Chuck could often be found in local mall bookstores buying up Frank Frazetta's greatest printed works or ferreting around downtown San Jose's underground comix shops. He became a big science fiction fan, especially of the Star Wars franchise.

Austen then attended Santa Clara High School in Northern California's Silicon Valley where he did his first public artwork for the school newspaper, the Santa Clara High Times in the late 1970s. At San Jose State University he wrote a rather lengthy series of comics under the titles "Campus Life" and "Zack" in the early 1980s for the Spartan Daily. Austen honed his writing and illustrating skills while living in borderline poverty, but then he was signed to illustrate Miracleman.

Early career

Austen’s early commercial work stretches back to the 1980s, when he briefly illustrated Alan Moore's superhero series Miracleman, under his birth name "Chuck Beckum", which he later abandoned out of a desire to disassociate from his father's family name.

About the same time Austen wrote and drew the semi-autobiographical black-and-white comic book series Strips. The series was about the sexual coming of age of a 19-year-old named Zack, and was published by Rip Off Press. The series was originally planned to run for about 40 issues, but after several breaks and a brief venture into online publishing, Austen ceased working on Strips.

He also, along with the better known work mentioned above, created a number of pornographic comics, including WorldWatch and Hardball.

In the late 1980s, Austen drew the first five issues for the short-lived series Hero Sandwich published by Slave Labor Graphics and written by Dan Vado. Hero Sandwich was an unusual genre-mishmash: the titular detective agency featured a character with a stylized smiley face and a super-heroish jet-set rogue named "Plasteeq" able to stretch his limbs much like DC's Plastic Man and Elongated Man. The first case showed supernatural overtones involving a coven of vampires.

Marvel and DC work

In the 2000s, Austen started working regularly for Marvel Comics, writing and illustrating U.S. War Machine, illustrating Elektra, and writing a number of series, including Uncanny X-Men, Captain America, and The Avengers. His two-year run on Uncanny X-Men was his most prominent and lengthy writing assignment to date.

Avengers

In an interview with Comics Bulletin, Austen explained his approach to his Marvel Comics stints. Austen wanted to write Avengers as a larger-than-life-drama filled with personal emotions: "Avengers was intended to be played straight — as if this were the real world and really happening. Paparazzi, internet rumors, Enquirer stories, rumor rags, Superheroes Tonight! Photos ending up in public of embarrassing moments, secret identities exposed... Joe [Quesada] promised me I’d be able to alter the characters to make them work in a team dynamic, and have relationships. That proved more difficult than I realized, for a lot of reasons, and ultimately it’s why I left the book. Altering characters to improve the dynamic means upsetting other writers, long-term fans and sometimes editors." In particular, he wrote a story about wife beating, using the angle that Avenger Giant-Man had previously been established as a reformed wife beater: "Throw into that [i.e. Giant-Man hitting his wife, the Wasp], Hawkeye never dealing with the death of Mockingbird, Tony’s alcoholism, (...) Hank’s pre-family history never being revealed, (...) everyone wanting Scarlet Witch at one point, She-Hulk being a bit confused, emotionally and sexually, and suddenly I had some germs for great soap... It meant bringing the characters back to a place of tension and challenging their heroism, which is where my first arc came from: Violence against women, and the call of heroism."

He admitted how problematic domestic abuse stories are to write if straight-laced heroes are used for this: "Who is a true hero? The uberman who faces another uberman? Or a defenseless woman who fights against unwinnable odds for a stranger? ... Add into the mix some sudden editorial changes due to shifts in ratings policy." Austen acknowledged having botched the story, but also added that "if you think we’re ruining your favorite characters just because we’re heartless bastards, you’re incredibly naïve... Most of us need these jobs and can’t afford to be blasé about screwing with stuff, so we do what we hope will work, and if it worked before, we keep it. If it didn’t, we change it to make it more popular. Like it or not, it’s a business." Comics site thefourthrail.com was less forgiving about his arcs: they called "the thought of Austen writing any number of silly and unnecessary changes in the characters while putting them through the most mediocre and rehashed of super-hero plots still depress[ing]."

X-Men

For Uncanny X-Men, Austen wanted to "inject some soap". In particular, he changed the status quo of the X-Men character Polaris, establishing her as the daughter of archvillain Magneto (playing an angle that had been subtly pointed at since 2002). However, she was characterised inconsistently, which Austen himself admitted. However, he blamed Grant Morrison, who was writing sister title New X-Men: "I had intended to use Polaris in my run from the beginning... then eventually marry her off to Alex... It was a surprise to me when she appeared in Grant’s [New] X-Men— crazy, muttering to herself, and wandering in the radioactive mud... Once she’d appeared as Nutso Profundo I had to rewrite some of my scripts, and went with Lorna the edgier, more volatile and unpredictable Looney Tunes with a heart of gold... she became more interesting than she had been... [Morrison] was always making me look bad for my lack of imagination. I think he did it on purpose."

Austen also wrote storylines involving the teleporting, satanic-looking but deeply religious X-Man Nightcrawler. A two-issue arc called Holy War featured a story in which the religious zealots Church of Humanity crucify several junior X-Men and abduct Nightcrawler. The sect mind-controls him and wants to install him as pope under use of an image inducer, initiate a false Rapture [although the Rapture is purely a part of Protestant belief], let him distribute communion wafers that disintegrate people who eat them, and switch off the inducer, thus discrediting the Catholic Church because they are headed by an alleged devil. Thefourthrail.com called the story "awkward and illogical at times... Furthermore, the other team members' reactions are so over the top that they strain credibility and really don't delve into the emotionally disturbing reality that such an assault represents."

Austen further estranged the X-Men fans with the arc called Draco, which again featured Nightcrawler. In this arc, Nightcrawler is revealed to be the son of Azazel, a powerful demon who is later revealed as Satan himself. Thefourthrail.com called the "pacing on this story arc... unbelievably tedious" and pointed out that Austen's revelation utterly lacked power, because Azazel was painted as Satan from literally the prologue of the story on. Austen himself admitted that he misplotted the story: "Draco got some negative response, but we were trying to do our best and put out something that everyone would like. And we failed."

The critical reaction however was scathing. Thefourthrail.com said that Austen "'doesn't get the characters, doesn't really have an interesting story to tell" that made his work on Uncanny X-Men absolutely unbearable." and was strongly rebuked for "horror-filled destruction of characters and inane plotting" that "defined" Austen's work on Uncanny X-Men. Similarly, comicsbulletin.com called his work on the X-Men equally inept, "when... it can't possibly get any worse, he manages to find that new lower level". They criticised his "unjustified character changes" and compared him unfavorably to Morrison, who Austen himself saw as the reason for his downfall.

Fan relations further soured when Austen — by editorial decree — had to write popular X-Men antihero Stacy X out of the X-Men stories. When he visited a comic book convention, a fan asked whether he would write Stacy back in. Austen did not know, but instead of saying so, he simply said "No." and was later branded as the author who "killed Stacy X" and thus "dissed" his fans. Austen admitted "he had a brainfart", and ironically, he was a big fan of the Stacy X character.

The writing stints during Avengers and X-Men affected Austen's reputation among comic book fans. Detractors saw him as a "misogynist", who "hate[s] women" and "obsessed with sex". Austen replied: "When I read my comics about hot women with enormous tits, I want them to be realistically portrayed as strong, independent babes who don't need a man, but still feel good enough about themselves to wear skin-tight clothing and pose provocatively while settling their differences with violence!" He also pointed out he was married with children, was raised by a single mother he looked up to and strongly denied misogynist sentiment. Chuck Austen has subsequently been named "Worst X-Men Writer Ever" on numerous online polls and ranking lists.

War Machine

From 2001 on, Austen wrote several issues of War Machine, a series set outside the normal Marvel Comics continuity in a separate universe. Protagonist was the wielder of the War Machine armor, Jim Rhodes. Austen said he could relate well because Rhodes was a military brat and a "chronic outsider". Seeing that Rhodes is African-American, he wanted to write a story centering around racism and the importance of respect. As Austen is vocally anti-racist, he also expressed the desire to "punch Slobodan Milosevic" if he himself had the War Machine armor. The mini-series was received well, but sales of the action-driven story were plagued by the fact that the series was published in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In 2003, Austen followed up with War Machine 2.0. Using the creative liberties in his alternate universe, he wrote Rhodes' boss Tony Stark as more pacifist and business-minded than his mainstream counterpart, and Rhodes himself as the proactive protector. Austen commented: "This series is also about heroism, and the necessity for violence in this world. It takes Stark's anti-war, anti-killing stance and puts it to the test in a real world, all-or-nothing situation. How do you keep your ideals when the stakes have been upped by a madman who won't see reason?... But love is always core to what I do. Love of family, love of friends, love of humanity. I believe very strongly in the concept of love."

Call of Duty

In 2002 Austen also took part in writing a Marvel book with Bruce Jones entitled, "The Call of Duty 911". This book was based on a story of firemen after the September 11th incident. It wanted to convey the heroism of New York City Firemen as real life superheroes. The Call of Duty was a series of short-lived Marvel Comics series featuring firefighters and emergency service workers dealing with paranormal phenomena in the Marvel Universe.

It was conceived in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and is comprised of three limited series (Call of Duty: The Brotherhood #1–6, by Chuck Austen and David Finch; Call of Duty: The Precinct #1–5, by Bruce Jones and Tom Mandrake; Call of Duty: The Wagon #1–4 by Chuck Austen and Danijel Zezelj) and a short unsuccessful run as an ongoing series in 2002–2003, that lasted four issues (by Chuck Austen and Pat Olliffe).

Superman

He also wrote at least ten issues on DC Comics' flagship title Action Comics, starring Superman. Like his X-Men-related work, Austen’s work on this series was criticized for poor uses of characterization: he was accused of setting up Superman supporting characters Lois Lane and Lana Lang against each other and making them overtly catty. Austen replied: "My goal as a writer was to raise the conflict level as high as I could and basically make the audience like Lana enough to maybe make someone want to see the change, and see how she could be with Clark, creating some tension and conflict. But I guess they don't like tension and conflict!" Austen left the title after 10 issues; the next two were written by "J.D. Finn". Austen himself has speculated that the J.D. Finn was in actuality then–Action Comics editor Eddie Berganza and has denied using the pseudonym.

In a 2006 interview, Austen commented sarcastially on his bad image among comic book fans. On his Marvel Comics stint (Elektra, Captain America, Avengers and X-Men), Austen ironically said: "I came in with the full intent of destroying both the artform and the industry." Austen later acknowledged having had a "bad day" during that interview and being overtly cynical.

"Seven Deadly Trolls"

During his Marvel/DC stint, Austen invented the expression "Seven Deadly Trolls". Austen uses this term to pejoratively describe a vocal group of comic book fans, who devote themselves to vilify his work on the Internet (see Internet troll). In Austen's point of view, they are a small and not representative group (hence the "Seven Deadly Trolls"), who use internet message boards, blogs and newsgroups to attack Austen on a professional and personal level and are (in his point of view) completely consumed by irrational rage against him.

Austen also accuses the Seven Deadly Trolls of waging flame wars "using multiple screen names" (see sockpuppets) and thus systematically destroying his reputation. He called them "socially inept people", deeply hypocritical and said that they should "give up comics and find a more constructive hobby". Multiple comic book critiques though have panned Austens Marvel and DC work.

Austen admitted that he took online criticism of his work very personal and had difficulties cooling down after reading it. On a professional level, the criticism also led to hostility between certain comic book store owners and him.

WorldWatch

After his DC and Marvel work, Austen went on to create the independent title WorldWatch, which he described as being like Warren Ellis's The Authority, except with more sex. To drive home this point, most of the preview images he published prior to the first issue were sex scenes.

Austen felt that any of the pre-existing comic book companies would most likely censor his work, so he chose to self-publish instead under Wild & Wooly Press. The first issue of WorldWatch was published in black and white, while the second and third issues were published in color. Subsequent issues, although written and illustrated, were not published.

The last page of Worldwatch #2 featured an announcement from the publisher stating that, as a result of widespread fan disappointment with the writing, Austen had been fired, and that he would be replaced by notable writer Sam Clemens (the real name of legendary American writer Mark Twain). Since, as creator and owner, Austen cannot be fired from Worldwatch, and since Austen has publicly claimed that his work is only disliked by a few vocal malcontents, this was widely perceived as being a failed hoax with the goal of showing that fans would accept the writing if only they did not recognize the writer's true identity. In a subsequent interview, Austen stated that it was intended not as a hoax, but as a joke, and that he was disappointed that most readers had not understood the joke.

Current projects

According to Austen's blog site he has moved on to doing television writing most notably on the program "Tripping the Rift" which he co-created. He is currently living in Southern California with his family. On his personal blog, he has stated that he has not written comics "in five years".

Personal life

Austen is married with two daughters. He described his childhood as a tough struggle: after his parents divorced, he was raised by his single mother in a housing project "surrounded by other single mothers raising their kids. All poor, all struggling." He described his mother as a strong, independent woman. He currently lives in California with his family.

Austen identifies himself as humanitarian and anti-racist. In Austen's view the Republican Party discriminates against women, which is "one reason why I [Austen] hate the Republican party, especially the Bush administration." On a professional level, Austen admires fellow artists Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Jenkins, Bill Sienkiewicz and J. Michael Straczynski.

References

• Chuck Austen at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)

External links

• Official website
• Comic Book Awards Almanac

Interviews

• Austen in the Machine: Chuck Austen Interview, Comic Book Resources, September 6, 2001
• Welcome To 'Uncanny X-Men' Chuck Austen, Hope You Survive The Experience, Comic Book Resources, October 22, 2002
• All-New, All-Different: Chuck Austen talks 'Uncanny X-Men', Comic Book Resources, January 23, 2003
• August 2003 interview, Comicon.com
• May 2004 interview, Comics Bulletin
• July 2004 interview, Comixfan
• Singh, Arune (2006). "In Depth With Chuck Austen (Part 2)", Comic Book Resources, February 15, 2006