| Chuck Austen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chuck Beckum |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Writer, Artist |
Chuck Austen (born Chuck Beckum) is an American comic book writer/artist, TV writer and animator. In the comics industry, he is known for his work on War Machine, Elektra, Action Comics, and the X-Men franchise, and in television, he is known for co-creating the aniamted TV series Tripping the Rift.
Contents |
Austen grew up a military brat,[1] and after his parents divorced, he was raised by his single mother in a housing project, an upbringing that he described as a struggle.[2]
Austen’s early commercial work began in 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.[3] About the same time Austen wrote and drew the semi-autobiographical black-and-white pornographic comic book series Strips, as well as Hardball.[3] In the late 1980s, Austen drew the first five issues for the short-lived series Hero Sandwich for by Slave Labor Graphics. 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.[3]
From 2001 on, Austen wrote several issues of War Machine.[1] 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 the alternate universe in which the series is set, he wrote Rhodes' boss Tony Stark as more pacifist and business-minded than his mainstream counterpart, and Rhodes himself as the proactive protector.[4]
In the early 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 lengthy writing assignment to date.[3]
In 2002 Austen took part in writing a Marvel book with Bruce Jones entitled, The Call of Duty 911, series of short-lived Marvel Comics series featuring firefighters and emergency service workers dealing with paranormal phenomena in the Marvel Universe, conceived in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks as a way to convey the heroism of New York City firemen as real life superheroes. Austen wrote Call of Duty: The Brotherhood #1–6, and Call of Duty: The Wagon #1–4, and a short run on an ongoing series in 2002–2003, that lasted four issues.
From August 2003 to January 2004, Austen wrote six issues of The Eternal for the Marvel MAX line.[5] It was a reimagination of the classic Eternals comic book by Jack Kirby and was lauded by at least one fan as "haunting yet humorous".[6][7]
In 2002, Austen took over Uncanny X-Men beginning with #410 and would remain on the title until #442. His controversial run[8] would see the return of Havok[9] and Polaris,[10] to the X-Men team, the introduction of school nurse Annie Ghazikhanian[11] and the addition of several existing characters to the X-Men team, including Northstar,[12] Juggernaut,[13] M,[14] and Husk[15]), as well as the revelation of the identity of Nightcrawler's father: an immortal mutant known as Azreal.[16]
Austen would be moved to X-Men Volume 2 in 2004; he would write X-Men #155-163, before leaving the book. During this run, he would introduce a new version of Xorn,[17] showcase the fallout from Cyclops and Emma Frost beginning a relationship following the death of Jean Grey,[18] as well as introduce a new version of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.[19] Michael Aronson of Comics Bulletin, while praising Austen's characterization of Professor X and Annie Ghazikhanian, excoriated Austen for what Aronson saw as his obsession with relationship and sex, and the sexist nature of his characterization of Husk.[20] According to Thor K. Jensen of Ugo Entertainment, fans disliked the romantic pairing of Angel and Husk, and cites that storyline as emblematic of critical reception to Austen's run on X-Men.[21]
In 2004, Austen also wrote Avengers from #77-84. His first arc introduced a new Captain Britain (since renamed Lionheart), a single mother thrust into the realm of super-heroes after being killed as an innocent bystander during a fight between the Avengers and the Wrecking Crew, only to be resurrected by the original Captain Britain.[22] The second arc, which saw Austen writing former Avengers U.S. Agent and Namor, the Sub-Mariner attempting to liberate a middle eastern country from its corrupt leadership, served as launching pad for the short-lived 2004 Invaders series.[23][24]
In 2004 Austen created the independent title WorldWatch, which he described as being like Warren Ellis's The Authority, but with more explicit depiction of sex, violence and realpolitik.[25] 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 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.[2]
From 2004 to 2005, Austen wrote issues 812–823 of DC Comics' flagship title Action Comics, starring Superman. Austen was criticized by fans for resurrecting the "Silver Age" feud between Superman supporting characters Lois Lane and Lana Lang over Superman, with Lana in particular divorcing longtime husband Pete Ross in the process.[2] Austen controversially left the title[26] after 10 issues. The next two were written by J.D. Finn. Austen himself speculated that J.D. Finn was actually then–Action Comics editor Eddie Berganza, and has denied using the pseudonym.[2]
In 2006, Austen wrote Boys of Summer, an Original English Language (OEL), adult-themed manga illustrated by Hiroki Otsuka through TokyoPop. Copies of the first volume were pulled from a number of bookstores in May that year due to its graphic content. Publishers Weekly named The Boys of Summer of the Top Ten manga/manhwa of 2006, calling it both "a titillating and edgy reading experience."[27] Subsequently, news reports indicated that the series had been cancelled even though the other two volumes were written and drawn, and both Austen and Otsuka had been paid.[26] The first volume is available in English on Amazon.com,[28] and Austen stated that all three would likely see print in other languages, if not in English. He also stated that doing the series was such maturing experience for him as a creator that he would never go back to superheroes or work-for-hire again. A 600-page hardcover edition collecting all three volumes, The Boys of Summer: The Complete Season, was scheduled for August 2008, but Austen reported it cancelled in a July 2008 interview.[26]
Austen has written for animated television, most notably on the program Tripping the Rift, which he co-created.
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, who use internet message boards, blogs and newsgroups to attack Austen on a professional and personal level.[29] Multiple comic book critics though, have panned Austen's Marvel and DC work.[30][31] Austen admitted that he took online criticism of his work personally. On a professional level, the criticism also led to hostility between himself and certain comic book store owners.[2]
In a 2006 interview, Austen commented sarcastically on his bad image among comic book fans,[2] later acknowledging having had a "bad day" during that interview, and being overtly cynical.[29]
On a professional level, Austen admires fellow comic book creators Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Jenkins, Bill Sienkiewicz, J. Michael Straczynski, Ron Garney, Bret Blevins, JH Williams III, Al Williamson, John Romita, Rumiko Takahashi, Otomo Katsuhiro and Mitsuru Adachi.[1]
Austen created his art for Elektra entirely on a computer. He prefers uses mostly Macs, but also uses PCs. When using a Mac, he uses Ray Dream Studio, and when using a PC, usings 3D Studio Max. These allow him to take three-dimensional models and break them down into simplified two-tone line forms. He purchases the models from catalogues, or uses ones that he built for Strips using in Hash or Animation:Master. After importing the models into Studio or Max, he arranges the angles and other aspects of the scene before rendering them, such as placement of background objects or modifying gestures, while the computer corrects elements such as perspective, foreshortening, proportions, etc. After the files are rendered to Austen's satisfaction, he assembles them into page form using Photoshop, completing details that the modeling programs cannot perfect, such as facial expressions, hair, filling in blacks, rendering clothes and wrinkles, etc. To finish the art, he will either print out the "pencils" directly onto Bristol board and finalize them with an HB Tombow pencil and ink them with a #2 nib, or will apply the finishes in Photoshop.[1]
Austen is married and two daugthers.[1][29]
Austen identifies himself as humanitarian and anti-racist.[2] In Austen's view the Republican Party discriminates against women, and he especially disliked the Bush administration.[1]
| Preceded by Joe Casey |
Uncanny X-Men writer 2002–2004 |
Succeeded by Chris Claremont |
| Preceded by Grant Morrison |
X-Men (vol. 2) writer 2004–2005 |
Succeeded by Peter Milligan |
| Preceded by John Ney Rieber |
Captain America writer 2003 (with John Ney Rieber in early 2003) |
Succeeded by Dave Gibbons |
| Preceded by Geoff Johns |
Avengers writer 2004 |
Succeeded by Brian Michael Bendis |