| Chuck Patton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Francis Chuck Patton (1956-08-19)August 19, 1956 (age 69) |
| Nationality | American |
| Area | Penciller |
Notable works | Justice League of America |
| Awards | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, 1999 |
Francis Chuck Patton is an Americancomics artist andanimator. He is best known for his work onDC Comics'Justice League of America in the 1980s, specifically for the period in which the team relocated to Detroit and was staffed with new, multicultural super-heroes. With writerGerry Conway, Patton createdGypsy andVibe, as well as redesigningVixen andSteel, The Indestructible Man.
A self-taught comics artist, although with a degree in art,[1] Patton's influences includedJosé Luis García-López,John Buscema,Gil Kane,Neal Adams, andDick Giordano. Patton was interested in journalism,[1] but was enticed into a comics career in large part thanks to Giordano, by then a top executive at DC.[2] Patton entered the comics industry by penciling a brief run ofCreeper back-up stories inThe Flash #320–323 (April–July 1983).[3]
After drawing various titles includingGreen Lantern,The Brave and the Bold, and the "Green Arrow" backup feature inDetective Comics, Patton became the artist ofJustice League of America beginning with the August 1983 issue.[3] During this period, Patton's roommate was fellow comics artistShawn McManus.[2] Patton drew issues #217–227 and 233–239 ofJLA, a period in the title's history when it underwent great changes — including the core characters ofSuperman,Batman, andWonder Woman leaving the team, and the introduction of the new multicultural lineup. These changes were not well received by readers, and Patton left the title feeling as if he bore the brunt of the fans' anger.[2] In addition toGypsy andVibe,[4] Patton also co-created theCadre andParagon.
After leavingJustice League, Patton was unsuccessful in gaining another regular penciling assignment.[2] Instead, he worked on single issues or short runs of such DC titles asAction Comics Weekly,Blue Beetle,Legion of Super-Heroes,The New Teen Titans,Omega Men,The Outsiders,Secret Origins, andVigilante.[3] He was one of the contributors to theDC Challenge limited series in 1985.[5]
During this period, Patton did sporadic work forEclipse Comics andMarvel Comics, on such titles asNew DNAgents,Daredevil, andClassic X-Men.[3] He was considered to replace the outgoingTodd McFarlane onThe Incredible Hulk, but turned the offer down when he was asked to emulate McFarlane's distinctive art style.[1]
In 1988, after half a decade in the comics industry, Patton became disillusioned with comics and moved into children's television animation.[1] He was living in Los Angeles by this time, which is where most animated series were produced.[2] Patton's credits includeDinosaucers,G.I. Joe,Captain N: The Game Master,The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3,Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas, andTeen Titans.
Patton has become a successfulanimation director, helming such projects asDead Space: Downfall,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, andSpawn, for which Patton garnered anEmmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
The prestigious Justice League of America got a bit easier to join, thanks to writer Gerry Conway and artist Chuck Patton. Marking the debut of camouflaging hero Gypsy, the shockwave-casting Vibe, and the second generation hero Steel, this landmark comic saw many of the more famous League members step down in order to make way for a younger roster to carry on their legacy.
| Preceded by | Justice League of America penciller 1983–1985 | Succeeded by |