Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont | |
---|---|
Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame (2015) | |
Spouse(s) | Bonnie Wilford (?–?) Beth Fleisher (current) |
Children | 2 |
chrisclaremont |
Christopher S. Claremont[1][2] (/ˈklɛərmɒnt/; born November 25, 1950) is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 16-year stint on Uncanny X-Men from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer,[3] during which he is credited with developing strong female characters as well as introducing complex literary themes into superhero narratives, turning the once underachieving comic into one of Marvel's most popular series.[4][5][6]
During his tenure at Marvel, Claremont co-created numerous
Claremont wrote many classic stories, including "
Early life
Claremont was born in London, England.
Career
Comics
1969–1991
Claremont initially did not view the comic book industry as the place where he would make his career, as he believed the dwindling readership to be a sign that the industry was dying, and found the material being published to be uninteresting.[12] Instead, when he began at Bard College, he did so as a political theorist, studying acting and political theory,[5][13][14] and writing novels with the hope of becoming a director. His first professional sale was a prose story.[12] He graduated in 1972.[13][14]
Claremont's career began in 1969, as a college undergraduate, when he was hired as a
Though his acting career did not yield great success, he functioned well at Marvel, where he obtained a full-time position. One of the first new characters created by Claremont was
Claremont introduced new supporting characters to the X-Men series including Moira MacTaggert in issue #96[19] and Lilandra Neramani in #97.[20] Jean Grey a.k.a. Marvel Girl, one of Marvel's first female heroes, underwent a dramatic transformation into the extremely powerful Phoenix in issue #101.[21] Issue #107 (Oct. 1977) saw the introduction of the Starjammers[22] as well as the departure of artist Dave Cockrum. Claremont began his collaboration with artist John Byrne in the following issue.[23]
During his 17 years as X-Men writer, Claremont wrote or co-wrote many classic X-Men stories, such as "
Besides his work on X-Men and its spinoffs, Claremont wrote
Claremont co-created numerous other important female X-Men characters, including
.Claremont launched various X-Men spin-offs, beginning with The New Mutants in 1982. The spinoffs
1992–present
The 1990s saw Claremont diversify his comics work, as he wrote for other publishers, and wrote his own creator-owned properties. In December 1991, he sent artist Whilce Portacio a proposal to illustrate Claremont's project, The Huntsman, as a creator-owned project, and when the then-new comics publisher Image Comics was announced in 1992, Claremont was named as one of its founders. However, the project was canceled when Portacio decided instead to do Wetworks. Claremont attempted to find other artist for the series, but all those in whom he was interested were either drawing X-Men or had their own projects with Image, and thus he did not become one of Image's founders.[55] In 1992 he wrote the graphic novel Star Trek: Debt of Honor, which was illustrated by Adam Hughes. Stan Lee interviewed Claremont for episode 7 of the 1991–92 documentary series The Comic Book Greats.[56]
In 1993, he began writing the 12-issue miniseries Aliens/Predator: Deadliest of the Species for Dark Horse Comics, which was completed in 1995. That year saw a decline in his comics output, however, as he turned his focus to writing novels, citing frustration with how the comics industry had become dominated by artists and editors.[55] In 1994, he wrote issues #10–13 of Jim Lee and Brandon Choi's series, WildC.A.T.s at Image Comics, in which he finally introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.[57]
In 1995, Claremont began writing his creator-owned series, Sovereign Seven, which was published by DC Comics, running for 36 issues until 1998.
In 1998, Claremont returned to Marvel as editorial director and the regular writer of
In 2000, as part of the company's "
In 2004, Claremont was co-writer on
In 2007, Claremont returned to New Excalibur, writing a story arc in which the character Nocturne has a stroke. He has completed his first arc on Exiles, adding Betsy Braddock to the team.
In 2008 Claremont wrote the miniseries
As of 2014 Claremont was under an exclusive contract for Marvel. In April of that year, Marvel launched a
Writing style
According to writer/editor Paul Levitz, Claremont's complex story structures "played a pivotal role in assembling the audience that enabled American comics to move to more mature and sophisticated storytelling, and the graphic novel."[4] Claremont's editor on the series, Louise Simonson, attributes the X-Men's success to his approach to the characters: "Chris took them very seriously. They were real people to him."[18]
As the writer of X-Men, Claremont became known for certain characteristic phrases, such as Wolverine's saying, "I'm the best there is at what I do. And what I do...isn't very nice", which became closely associated with the character.[65]
A 2009 Slate article called Claremont the "soapiest writer in comic books.... The classic Claremont pose is either a character, head hung in shame with two enormous rivers of tears running down the cheeks as he or she delivers a self-loathing monologue, or a character with head thrown back and mouth open in a shout of rage, shaking tiny fists at heaven and vowing that the whole world will soon learn about his or her feelings." However, the article goes to state that "the genius of Chris Claremont was that he made mutants a generic stand-in for all minorities".[66] "I'm an immigrant," said Claremont in 2014, describing his affinity with outsiders. After arriving in the United States from England, he was beaten up "because I looked like a geek." His emphasis on the theme of prejudice resonated with readers as the X-Men series rose in popularity.[6]
Novels and acting
In 1987 Claremont began writing genre novels. His first was a science fiction trilogy about female USAF pilot/astronaut Nicole Shea, consisting of
Claremont made a cameo appearance in the opening scene of the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand, for which he is credited as "Lawnmower man". He made a cameo appearance as a Congressional committee member alongside fellow comic book writer Len Wein in an early scene in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Charity work
In December 2010 Claremont appeared at a book signing at
In July 2011 Claremont signed a deed of gift to
A symposium called Comic New York was held March 24–25, 2012 at Columbia University's Low Memorial Library to mark the occasion, which was organized by Graphic Novels Librarian Karen Green, Professor Jeremy Dauber, and editor Danny Fingeroth.[4] A discussion between Claremont and Simonson held in recognition of Claremont's gift was the keynote event of the symposium, which focused on the intertwined histories of American comics and New York City, which has served both as a breeding ground for creators and the home of the Big Two publishers, Marvel and DC.[67] Signings and panel discussions with other creators, scholars and academics of the comics medium were held during the two-day event. Among the other creators in attendance were Paul Levitz, Al Jaffee, Peter Kuper, Denis Kitchen, Molly Crabapple, John Romita, John Romita Jr., Irwin Hasen, Miss Lasko-Gross and Dean Haspiel.[68]
Personal life
In the mid-1970s, Claremont was married to Bonnie Wilford.[69] Following the dissolution of that marriage, he married Beth Fleisher,[4] with whom Claremont co-authored Dragon Moon. Fleisher is the cousin (through marriage) of editor Dan Raspler, who was the editor on JLA during the six-issue "Tenth Circle" story arc Claremont and John Byrne wrote in 2004.[70] Claremont and Fleisher have twin sons.[71]
Awards
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- 1980 Inkpot Award[72]
- 1992 Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Graphic Novel or Album for Star Trek: Debt of Honor[73]
- 1979 Eagle Award for Best Comicbook Writer (US)[74]
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Single Story – X-Men #111 – "Mindgames" with John Byrne[74]
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook – X-Men[74]
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team – X-Men[74]
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook Writer[75]
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Continued Comic Story – X-Men #125–128 with John Byrne[75]
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook – X-Men[75]
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Team – X-Men[75]
- 1984 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team (US) – X-Men[76]
- 1986 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team (US) – X-Men[77]
- Charles Flint Kellogg Award in Arts and Letters from Bard College[14]
Bibliography
See also
References
- ^ Given name: cover, Marvel Graphic Novel #5: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.
- ^ Middle initial: "X-Mail" letter column, Uncanny X-Men #144 (Apr. 1981).
- ^ Claremont, Chris. Marvel Age Special: X-Men Anniversary Magazine vol. 1, #1 (Sept. 1993).
- ^ a b c d e Reid, Calvin (November 14, 2011). "X-Men Writer Chris Claremont Donates Archive to Columbia University". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012.
- ^ New York Magazine. Archivedfrom the original on September 1, 2013.
- ^ a b Hiatt, Brian (May 26, 2014). "The True Origins of 'X-Men'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ a b "Comic Legend Chris Claremont Allies with Borders for World AIDS Day". Comic Book Resources. November 26, 2010. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010.
- ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Chris Claremont". Fantastic Fiction. 2013. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Larry (September 5, 2012). "Good guys win in the end— Must we wait for the 30th century??". Jewishworldnews.org. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
All that changed however in the mid 1970s when writer Chris Claremont came on board. Despite his non-Jewish-sounding name, this London-born, New York-raised lad is Jewish… he even spent time on an Israeli kibbutz in his youth.
- ^ Klotz, Bryan (June 2009). "Secret Identities: Graphic Literature and the Jewish- American Experience". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Vaughan, Owen (October 30, 2009). "Now where was I? The uncanny Chris Claremont on rejoining the X-Men". The Times. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ a b "X-Mail", Uncanny X-Men #164 (December 1982). Marvel Comics.
- ^ a b c "Charles Flint Kellogg Award in Arts and Letters". Bard College Catalogue. 2013. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-7566-4123-8.)
In this issue, new Marvel writer Chris Claremont and artist John Buscema introduced Madrox the Multiple Man, a mutant who could duplicate his body over and over.
{{cite book}}
:|first2=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 170: "The 'new' X-Men team...moved into this thirty-two-page bimonthly comic...and writer Chris Claremont took over the scripting."
- ISBN 978-0-87135-434-1.
- ^ a b Grant, Paul J. (August 1993). "Poor Dead Doug, and Other Mutant Memories". Wizard: X-Men Turn Thirty. pp. 66–69.
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 171: "In this issue, the first to be plotted as well as scripted by Chris Claremont, Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum introduced geneticist Moira MacTaggert."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 175: "Writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum also introduced the alien Shi'ar race, the Shi'ar Princess Lilandra, and covert agent Erik the Red in X-Men #97."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 176: "The transformation of Jean Grey into Phoenix was a dramatic affair...Writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum's intent in transforming Jean Grey into Phoenix was to boost Jean's powers to a higher level."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 181: "Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont introduced the Starjammers, a band of space pirates led by Corsair."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 181: "When 'new' X-Men co-creator Dave Cockrum left the series, John Byrne took over as penciler and co-plotter. In his first issue, Byrne and writer Chris Claremont wound up the Shi'ar story arc."
- ^ DeFalco, Tom "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 196: "In January [1980] a nine-part story began that changed the X-Men forever...Claremont proposed a story that would show how Jean Grey – one of the original members of the X-Men – had become corrupted by her new Phoenix power."
- ^ a b DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 200: "The Sentinels ruled the earth in an alternate reality...The Uncanny X-Men #141 also introduced Rachel Summers, the daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey, who was born in the 'Days of Future Past' timeline."
- ISBN 978-0-7624-2844-1.
- ISBN 978-0-8109-3821-2.
- ^ Sacks, Jason (September 6, 2010). "Top 10 1970s Marvels". Comics Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 208: "The most popular member of the X-Men was finally featured in his first solo title, a four-issue limited series by writer Chris Claremont and writer/artist Frank Miller."
- ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.)
The issue, written by longtime X-Men scribe Chris Claremont and drawn by Walter Simonson [was]...one of the most well-received crossovers of its time – or of any time for that matter – the team-up was a huge success.
{{cite book}}
:|first2=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Brown, Jonathan (August 2013). "The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans: The Breakfast Club of the Comics Crossover". Back Issue! (66). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 68.
- ^ DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 209: "Writer Chris Claremont proposed The New Mutants and artist Bob McLeod was brought in to design the characters."
- ^ Brown, Scott (May 2, 2003). "The NeXt Level". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
- ISBN 978-0-7566-9236-0.)
{{cite book}}
:|first2=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 185: "Later writers in the fifty-issue run of this series included Chris Claremont, a specialist in portraying self-reliant heroines."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 186: "Ms. Marvel's...series was in the hands of Chris Claremont...and Dave Cockrum, a master of imaginative costume design."
- Fantagraphics Books: 16.
- ^ Aushenker, Michael (August 2013). "That Other Spider-Man Title...Marvel Team-Up Offered an Alternative Spidey Experience". Back Issue! (66). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 15–22.
- ^ Manning "1970s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 104: "The web-slinger found himself sharing the stage with a cast who had dressed as super-heroes to attack the [Silver] Samurai's gang in this quirky tale written by Chris Claremont and penciled by Bob Hall."
- ^ Manning "1980s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 117: "1980 was a year for anniversary issues, and this centennial effort by writer Chris Claremont and artist Frank Miller was one of them...Future New Mutant Karma also made her debut."
- ^ Manning "1980s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 126: "The debut issue featured the inspired pairing of writer Chris Claremont and artist Michael Golden as they teamed up two other fan-favorites, the X-Men's Angel and Spider-Man."
- ^ DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 203: "[Rogue's] first published appearance occurred in The Avengers Annual #10 by Chris Claremont and Michael Golden."
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 177
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 188: "In this issue [#118], by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, the X-Men arrived in Japan, where Wolverine met and fell in love with a shy, quiet woman named Mariko Yashida."
- ^ a b c d e f DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008)
- ^ Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 176: "British-born writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe created a new super hero specifically for Marvel's readers in the United Kingdom."
- ^ DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 233: "[Claremont and artist Alan Davis] produced Excalibur Special Edition, a graphic novel about a team of superheroes based in England."
- ^ Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 251
- ^ Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 255: "It was a matter of simple addition. Take Chris Claremont, the writer who had made The Uncanny X-Men the continual hit that it was, and add Jim Lee, the artist who had reinvigorated the title's popularity in recent months...The sum of all these parts was X-Men #1, the best selling comic book in the history of the medium, selling well over eight million copies."
- ^ Morse, Ben (August 10, 2010). "SDCC 2010: Marvel Breaks World Record". Marvel Comics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- Johnston, Rich (July 22, 2010). "X-Men #1 The Guinness World Record Best Selling Comic Of All Time?". Bleeding Cool. Archivedfrom the original on October 16, 2013.
- Schreiber, Liev (Narrator) Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle. PBS. October 15, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-904994-87-9.
- ^ Miller, John Jackson (November 16, 2010). "X-Men #1, One Piece, and world records". The Comichron. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Patrick Daniel (June 1993). "Claremont Returns With the Write Stuff". Wizard. No. 22. pp. 28–35.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "The Comic Book Greats Chris Claremont". YouTube.com.
- ^ "Bye Bye Marvel; Here Comes Image: Portacio, Claremont, Liefeld, Jim Lee Join McFarlane's New Imprint at Malibu". The Comics Journal (148). Seattle, Washington: Fantagraphics Books: 11–12. February 1992.
- ^ "Chris Claremont Comic Book Reviews".
- ^ "Comichron: June 2000 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops".
- ^ "Chris Claremont Talks Comics with Cartoonist Kayfabe!". YouTube.
- ^ Ekstrom, Steve (February 6, 2009). "NYCC '09: Claremont and the X-Men: With a Twist". Newsarama. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013.
- ^ Phegley, Kiel (April 7, 2010). "Claremont Unveils X-Women". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (January 14, 2014). "Chris Claremont And Todd Nauck On New Nightcrawler Comic?". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ Damore, Meagan (April 9, 2014). "Nightcrawler #1". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017.
- ^ David, Peter (May 1, 2009). "The Best There Is At What He Does…and What He Does is Set Up Other Movies". PeterDavid.net. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013.
- ^ Hendrix, Grady (April 30, 2009). "I Heart Wolverine". Slate. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013.
- ^ "Comic New York: A Symposium". Columbia University. March 24–25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
- ^ "Panelist Bios". Columbia University Libraries. 2012. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
- ^ Cabal, Alan (June 10, 2003). "The Doom that Came to Chelsea". New York Press. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013.
Chris was her third husband
- ISBN 978-1-893905-54-2.
- ^ David, Peter (September 21, 2012). "The Most Awards 1997". PeterDavid.net. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Originally published in Comics Buyer's Guide #1261 (January 16, 1998)
- ^ "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
- ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 9, 2005). "CBG Fan Award winners 1982–present". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013.
- ^ Eagle Awards. 2013. Archived from the originalon October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Previous Winners 1980". Eagle Awards. 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ "Previous Winners 1984". Eagle Awards. 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ "Previous Winners 1986". Eagle Awards. 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
External links
- Official website
- Chris Claremont at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Chris Claremont at IMDb
- Chris Claremont at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- "Chris Claremont papers, 1973–2018". Columbia University Libraries. Rare Book & Manuscript Library.