| Jack Morelli | |
|---|---|
Jack Morelli at Kids Comic Con 2011 |
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| Born | John Morelli October 26, 1962 |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Writer, Letterer |
Jack Morelli (born October 26, 1962)[1] 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.[2]
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).[3]
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.
Morelli is an avid weightlifter, and during the 1980s some Marvel staffers thought he looked like Namor, the Sub-Mariner.[3] Morelli is married to comics colorist and painter Christie Scheele.