Jack Morelli
Encyclopedia
Jack Morelli is a comic book letterer
and author, also credited under the name John Morelli. Morelli is one of the last of the classically trained hand letterers still working. He has designed many comic book logos. His lettering is notable for being the basis for the computer font
used by John Byrne when he letters his own work.
Morelli was hired by Marvel Comics
artist and art director Marie Severin
in 1978, and taught to letter by Bullpen chief and cover letterer Danny Crespi, and long-time staffer Morrie Kuramoto. Morelli was a staff letterer at Marvel during the 1980s, where he was known by the affectionate nickname "Squid" (because he had once worked on a fishing boat).
During this time, Morelli also worked in editorial and wrote some comics, most notably the 1998 Peter Parker
Annual featuring Elektra
, where he created the enigmatic supervillain The Silencer.
Morelli has also worked for DC Comics
, and most recently for Archie Comics
.
The G.I. Joe
communications expert character and action figure Dial Tone
is named Jack Morelli.
In 2007, Morelli authored Heroes of the Negro Leagues, published by Abrams, Inc., a book about the history of Negro league baseball
. It was named the second best sports book of 2007 by Amazon.com.
Letterer
A letterer is a member of a team of comic book creators responsible for drawing the comic book's text. The letterer's use of typefaces, calligraphy, letter size, and layout all contribute to the impact of the comic. The letterer crafts the comic's "display lettering": the story title lettering and...
and author, also credited under the name John Morelli. Morelli is one of the last of the classically trained hand letterers still working. He has designed many comic book logos. His lettering is notable for being the basis for the computer font
Computer font
A computer font is an electronic data file containing a set of glyphs, characters, or symbols such as dingbats. Although the term font first referred to a set of metal type sorts in one style and size, since the 1990s it is generally used to refer to a scalable set of digital shapes that may be...
used by John Byrne when he letters his own work.
Morelli was hired by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
artist and art director Marie Severin
Marie Severin
Marie Severin is an American comic book artist and colorist best known for her work for Marvel Comics and the 1950s' EC Comics....
in 1978, and taught to letter by Bullpen chief and cover letterer Danny Crespi, and long-time staffer Morrie Kuramoto. Morelli was a staff letterer at Marvel during the 1980s, where he was known by the affectionate nickname "Squid" (because he had once worked on a fishing boat).
During this time, Morelli also worked in editorial and wrote some comics, most notably the 1998 Peter Parker
Peter Parker: Spider-Man
Peter Parker: Spider-Man is the name of two comic book series published by Marvel Comics, both of which feature the character Spider-Man.-Volume One :...
Annual featuring Elektra
Elektra (comics)
Elektra Natchios, usually referred to only by her first name Elektra, is a fictional character in publications from Marvel Comics.Elektra is a kunoichi – female ninja assassin – of Greek descent. She wields a pair of bladed sai as her trademark weapon. She is a love interest of the superhero...
, where he created the enigmatic supervillain The Silencer.
Morelli has also worked for DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, and most recently for Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
.
The G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe (comics)
G.I. Joe has been the title of comic strips and comic books in every decade since 1942. As a licensed property by Hasbro, comics have been released from 1967 to present, with only two interruptions longer than a year . As a team fighting Cobra since 1982, the comic book history of G.I...
communications expert character and action figure Dial Tone
Dial Tone (G.I. Joe)
Dial Tone is code name of two fictional characters from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series.The first is male and debuted in 1986. He is the G.I. Joe Team's communications expert. He is voiced by Hank Garrett in the Sunbow G.I. Joe cartoon series.The second is...
is named Jack Morelli.
In 2007, Morelli authored Heroes of the Negro Leagues, published by Abrams, Inc., a book about the history of Negro league baseball
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
. It was named the second best sports book of 2007 by Amazon.com.