Chuck Patton

Chuck Patton
Patton self-portrait, inked by Mike DeCarlo, from DC Challenge #2 (Dec. 1985).
Born	Francis Chuck Patton
Nationality	American
Area(s)	Penciller
Notable works	Justice League of America
Awards	Emmy award, 1999

Francis Chuck Patton is an African-American comic book artist and animator. He is best known in comics circles for his work on DC Comics' Justice League of America in the 1980s, specifically for the period in which the team relocated to Detroit, Michigan, and was staffed with new, multicultural super-heroes. With writer Gerry Conway, Patton created Gypsy and Vibe, as well as redesigning Vixen and Steel: The Indestructible Man.

A self-taught comics artist, although with a degree in art, Patton's influences included José Luis García-López, John Buscema, Gil Kane, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano. Although interested in journalism, Patton was enticed into a comics career in large part thanks to Giordano by then a top executive at DC. Patton entered the comics industry in 1983 by penciling a brief run of Creeper back-up stories in The Flash.

After fill-ins on such titles as Green Lantern, The Brave and the Bold, and the "Green Arrow" backup feature in Detective Comics, Patton became the artist of Justice League of America beginning with the August 1983 issue. During this period, Patton's roommate was fellow comics artist Shawn McManus. Patton drew issues #217-239 of JLA, a period in the title's history when it underwent great changes — including the core characters of Superman, Batman, and Wonder 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. In addition to Gypsy and Vibe, Patton also co-created such characters as the Cadre, Overmaster, and Paragon. Vibe has since become a supporting character on The CW's television series The Flash, portrayed by actor Carlos Valdes.