Chuck Austen
| Chuck Austen | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Writer, Artist |
| http://www.chuckaustenonline.com | |
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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
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.[1] About the same time Austen wrote and drew the semi-autobiographical black-and-white comic book series Strips. He also created a number of pornographic comics, including WorldWatch and Hardball.[1] 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. He also was involved in the lesser-known Dr. Radium and Lee Flea series, and slowly crossed over into DC Comics when he was assigned to Phantom Lady and Green Flame and drew Disney's The Little Mermaid limited series.[1]
Marvel and DC work
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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.[1]
Avengers
Traditionally, Avengers were straight-laced adventure stories, but Austen wanted to write it as a "larger-than-life-drama filled with personal emotions".[2] 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. Austen admitted that he underestimated the difficulty of writing domestic abuse stories using (supposed) superheroes,[2] and comics site thefourthrail.com was scathing about his new take, calling the character changes "silly and unnecessary".[3]
X-Men
For Uncanny X-Men changed the status quo of the X-Men character Polaris, establishing her as the daughter of archvillain Magneto. However, she was characterised inconsistently, which Austen himself admitted.[4] Austen also wrote 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 Catholic and demonic-looking X-Man Nightcrawler. The sect mind-controls him, 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] 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" and criticised the "implausible" character development.[5]
Austen followed up with an arc called Draco, where 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 lacked power, because Azazel was painted as Satan from literally the prologue of the story on.[6] Austen himself admitted that he misplotted the story.[7]
By then, the general reaction to Austen's X-Men work 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.[3] 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.[8] Fan relations further soured when Austen — by editorial decree — had to write popular X-Men antihero Stacy X out of the X-Men stories. Austen was branded as the author who "killed Stacy X" and thus "dissed" his fans.[4]
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".[7] In response, Austen pointed out he was married with children, was raised by a single mother he looked up to and strongly denied misogynist sentiment.[7] Chuck Austen has subsequently been named "Worst X-Men Writer Ever" on numerous online polls and ranking lists.[citation needed]
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, like him a military brat and a "chronic outsider".[9] 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.[10]
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.[10]
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. Austen was accused of setting up Superman supporting characters Lois Lane and Lana Lang against each other and making them overtly catty.[7] 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.[7]
Public image
During his Marvel/DC stint, Austen invented the expression "Seven Deadly Trolls". 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 (see Internet troll).[2] Multiple comic book critiques though have panned Austens Marvel and DC work.[3][8] 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.[7]
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).[7] He later acknowledged having had a "bad day" during that interview and being overtly cynical.[2]
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, but with more adult themes (i.e. unflinching depiction of sex, violence and realpolitik).[11]
The last page of Worldwatch #2 featured an announcement from the publisher stating that Austen had been fired, and that he would be replaced by notable writer Sam Clemens (the real name of legendary American writer Mark Twain). However, as creator and owner, Austen cannot be fired from Worldwatch. In a subsequent interview, Austen stated that it was intended as a joke, and that he was disappointed that most readers had not understood it.[7]
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".[4]
Personal life
Austen is married with two daughters. He is a military brat[9] and described his childhood as a tough struggle: after his parents divorced, he was raised by his single mother in a housing project.[7] He currently lives in California with his family.
Austen identifies himself as humanitarian and anti-racist.[7] In Austen's view the Republican Party discriminates against women, and he especially dislikes the Bush administration.[9] On a professional level, Austen admires fellow artists Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Jenkins, Bill Sienkiewicz and J. Michael Straczynski.[7]
Notes
- ^ a b c d Chuck Austen (USA), lambiek.com. Note that the text falsely lists his birth name as "Chuck Beckham".
- ^ a b c d Chuck Austen: Lionheart, Comics Bulletin
- ^ a b c Snap Judgements by Randy Lander: Avengers #77, The Fourth Rail
- ^ a b c QUESTION X, chuckaustenonline.com
- ^ UNCANNY X-MEN #423, thefourthrail.com
- ^ UNCANNY X-MEN #432
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Singh, Arune (2006). "In Depth With Chuck Austen (Part One)", Comic Book Resources, February 14, 2006
- ^ a b Uncanny X-men #424 Review, Comics Bulletin
- ^ a b c Austen in the Machine: Chuck Austen Interview, comicbookresources.com
- ^ a b MAX Muscle: Austen talks 'War Machine 2.0' & 'The Eternal' & 'World Watch', comicbookresources.com
- ^ WATCHING AUSTEN'S WORLD, newsarama.com
References
- Chuck Austen at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
External links
- Official website
- Comic Book Awards Almanac
- Chuck Austen on lambiek.net