Chris Claremont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chris Claremont |
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Claremont at the 2016 New York Comic Con
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| Born | Christopher S. Claremont November 25, 1950 London, England |
| Nationality | American |
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Notable works
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Uncanny X-Men New Mutants Captain Britain Excalibur Wolverine Fantastic Four Ms. Marvel Iron Fist X-Treme X-Men |
| Awards | Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award: 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990 Eagle Award: 1979 and 1980 Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame (2015) |
| Spouse(s) | Bonnie Wilford (?–?) Beth Fleisher (current) |
| Children | 2 |
Christopher S. Claremont (born November 25, 1950) is an American comic book writer and novelist. He is famous for his 16-year work on Uncanny X-Men from 1975 to 1991. This was much longer than any other writer. During this time, he helped create strong female characters. He also added deeper stories to superhero comics. He turned the X-Men from a less popular comic into one of Marvel's biggest hits. While he was writing, X-Men was the best-selling comic book in the world.
During his time at Marvel, Claremont helped create many X-Men characters. Some of these include Rogue, Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat, Phoenix, Mystique, Emma Frost, Jubilee, Sabretooth, and Gambit.
Claremont wrote many classic stories. These include "The Dark Phoenix Saga" and "Days of Future Past". He worked with John Byrne on these. He also helped make Wolverine a favorite character among fans. X-Men #1, released in 1991, is still the best-selling comic book ever. He co-wrote it with Jim Lee. In 2015, Claremont and John Byrne were added to the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame.
Contents
Chris Claremont's Story
Early Life and Inspiration
Claremont was born in London, England. His family moved to the United States when he was three. He grew up mostly on Long Island. He felt like an outsider in the sports-focused suburbs. His grandmother bought him a subscription to Eagle comics. He loved reading Dan Dare, finding them more exciting than the Batman and Superman comics of his time. He also read science fiction writers like Robert Heinlein.
Becoming a Comics Legend
Claremont didn't plan to work in comics at first. He thought the industry was fading. He studied acting and political theory at Bard College. He wanted to become a director. His first professional writing was a prose story. He graduated in 1972.
His career at Marvel Comics began in 1969. He started as a helper. His first comic writing job was Daredevil #102 in 1973. He then started writing "Iron Fist" in Marvel Premiere in 1975. Artist John Byrne joined him later. They worked together on the Iron Fist comic series.
One of his first new characters was Madrox the Multiple Man. This character appeared in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 in 1975. Marvel's editor, Len Wein, saw Claremont's excitement for the new X-Men. Wein hired Claremont to write the series starting with issue #94 in 1975. The X-Men comic was not very popular then. Claremont approached the job like an actor. He deeply explored the characters' feelings and reasons. This made readers connect with the characters right away.
Former Marvel editor Bob Harras said Claremont "lived and breathed" the characters. Claremont's writing made the X-Men feel like real people. He added surprising twists and emotional moments. He was known for taking a long time to finish story ideas.
Claremont added new characters to X-Men. These included Moira MacTaggert and Lilandra Neramani. Jean Grey, also known as Marvel Girl, became the powerful Phoenix in issue #101. Artist Dave Cockrum left after issue #107. Claremont then started working with artist John Byrne.
Classic X-Men Stories
During his 17 years on X-Men, Claremont wrote many famous stories. "The Dark Phoenix Saga" and "Days of Future Past" are two examples. Comics historians say "The Dark Phoenix Saga" was a huge moment for Marvel. It showed the creators at their best. This story caused a big stir and made The X-Men a must-read comic.
In 1982, Claremont and artist Frank Miller created a Wolverine limited series. Claremont also worked with Walt Simonson on The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans in 1982. This was a special crossover between Marvel and DC Comics. The New Mutants were introduced by Claremont and Bob McLeod in 1982. They soon got their own comic series. The second X-Men film was loosely based on Claremont's 1982 graphic novel God Loves, Man Kills.
Besides X-Men, Claremont wrote Marvel Team-Up, Spider-Woman, and Ms. Marvel. He and artist John Bolton created the Marada the She-Wolf character in 1981. Claremont's Marvel Team-Up stories included the cast of Saturday Night Live in issue #74. He also introduced Karma, who later joined the New Mutants.
Claremont helped create many important X-Men characters. These include Rogue, Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat, Phoenix, Mystique, and Jubilee. He also co-created male characters like Sabretooth, Captain Britain, and Gambit.
Claremont launched several X-Men spin-off comics. The New Mutants started in 1982. Excalibur and Wolverine followed in 1987 and 1988. Famous X-Men crossover stories he wrote include "Mutant Massacre" and "Fall of the Mutants". In 1991, Marvel launched a second X-Men comic, simply called X-Men. Claremont co-wrote it with Jim Lee. X-Men #1 is still the best-selling comic book ever. It sold over 8.1 million copies. This was partly because it had four different covers. Many stores bought lots of copies. Claremont left the series after three issues due to disagreements.
Later Career
In the 1990s, Claremont wrote for other comic publishers. He also created his own characters. In 1992, he wrote the graphic novel Star Trek: Debt of Honor. In 1993, he started writing the 12-issue series Aliens/Predator: Deadliest of the Species for Dark Horse Comics. He focused more on writing novels around this time.
In 1995, Claremont began his own series, Sovereign Seven, for DC Comics. It ran for 36 issues until 1998.
In 1998, Claremont returned to Marvel. He became the regular writer of Fantastic Four. He created Valeria Richards in this series. His run on Fantastic Four lasted for 29 issues. He was fired from the book in 2000. He also wrote The Fantastic 4th Voyage of Sinbad in 2001.
In 2000, he wrote Uncanny X-Men and X-Men. He then moved to X-Treme X-Men. He returned to Uncanny X-Men again in 2004. He worked with artist Alan Davis.
In 2004, Claremont co-wrote JLA issues #94–99 for DC Comics. He worked with John Byrne again. In 2007, Claremont returned to New Excalibur. He also worked on Exiles.
In 2008, Claremont wrote the miniseries GeNEXT. Its sequel, GeNext: United, followed in 2009. He wrote an X-Men Forever series. This series showed the X-Men in an alternate universe. In 2010, Claremont worked with Italian artist Milo Manara on X-Women.
As of 2014, Claremont had an exclusive contract with Marvel. He wrote a Nightcrawler series from 2014 to 2015. He reunited with artist Bill Sienkiewicz for New Mutants: War Children in 2019.
His Unique Writing Style
Claremont's complex stories helped comics become more mature. His editor, Louise Simonson, said the X-Men's success came from his serious approach. "They were real people to him," she said.
Claremont became known for certain phrases. Wolverine's line, "I'm the best there is at what I do. And what I do...isn't very nice," is one example. It became very famous for the character.
A 2009 article called Claremont the "soapiest writer in comic books." It said he often showed characters crying or shouting in anger. But the article also said his genius was making mutants stand for all minorities. Claremont said he felt like an outsider because he was an immigrant. He was beaten up for looking like a "geek." His focus on prejudice connected with many readers. This helped the X-Men series become very popular.
Beyond Comics
In 1987, Claremont started writing novels. His first was a science fiction trilogy. It was about a female pilot named Nicole Shea. The books were First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont also co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy with George Lucas. These books continued the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow.
Claremont has also appeared in movies. He had a small role in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand. He was credited as "Lawnmower man." He also appeared as a committee member in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past. He was alongside fellow comic writer Len Wein.
Giving Back
In December 2010, Claremont attended a book signing for World AIDS Day. A part of the money from books sold went to Lifebeat. This group teaches young people about HIV/AIDS prevention.
In July 2011, Claremont gave his archives to Columbia University's Rare Book & Manuscript Library. This included his notes, letters, story drafts, and comic materials. This collection helps researchers learn about comics.
A special event called Comic New York was held in March 2012. It celebrated Claremont's gift. It focused on the history of American comics and New York City. Claremont and his editor Louise Simonson had a discussion. Many other comic creators and scholars also attended.
Personal Life
Claremont is married to Beth Fleisher. They have twin sons.
Awards
- 1980 Inkpot Award
- 1992 Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Graphic Novel or Album for Star Trek: Debt of Honor
- 1979 Eagle Award for Best Comicbook Writer (US)
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Single Story – X-Men #111 – "Mindgames" with John Byrne
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook – X-Men
- 1979 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team – X-Men
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook Writer
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Continued Comic Story – X-Men #125–128 with John Byrne
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Comicbook – X-Men
- 1980 Eagle Award for Favourite Team – X-Men
- 1984 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team (US) – X-Men
- 1986 Eagle Award for Favourite Group or Team (US) – X-Men
- Charles Flint Kellogg Award in Arts and Letters from Bard College
Images for kids
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Chris Claremont at a comic convention in New York City around 1990
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Claremont being interviewed about breaking into the comics industry at the 2011 New York Comic Con
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Claremont at the Comic New York symposium at Columbia University on March 24, 2012
See also
In Spanish: Chris Claremont para niños
- Comics in Focus: Chris Claremont's X-Men
