Jim Novak
Encyclopedia
James R. Novak is a comic book
creator primarily working as a letterer
for Marvel Comics
, where he has worked on almost every one of their ongoing series. Novak has also done spot duty as a writer, penciler, and colorist.
#25, as a minor member of the "third wave" of creators, which included artists John Byrne and Frank Miller
, and writers Roger Stern
, Jo Duffy
, Mark Gruenwald
and Ralph Macchio
.
He soon became a staff letterer (and occasional logo designer) at Marvel, ascending to production manager in the mid-1980s. A prolific worker, in the 1980s Novak was the regular letterer for such titles as Avengers
(1981–1987) Doctor Strange
(1980–1984), Fantastic Four
(1980–1984), The Incredible Hulk (1981–1984), and Marvel Fanfare
(1982–1991), when he lettered as many as five or six books per month.
In the 1980s and early 90s (and even in 2000–2001), Novak was often paired with writer/artist Byrne, on such titles as The Avengers, Fantastic Four, Wolverine
, Sensational She-Hulk, and Marvel: The Lost Generation
. Over the year, Novak also lettered a number of titles written by Stern, including Captain America
, The Avengers, Doctor Strange, Marvel Universe, The Spectacular Spider-Man
, and Marvel: The Lost Generation.
In the 1990s, Novak worked on many limited series and one-shots, as well as full-time lettering on Darkhawk
, Green Goblin
, Fantastic Four again, and Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy. In the 2000s, Novak's lettering work has been more sporadic.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
creator primarily working as a letterer
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...
for 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...
, where he has worked on almost every one of their ongoing series. Novak has also done spot duty as a writer, penciler, and colorist.
Biography
The first Marvel comic Novak can remember reading as a child was Daredevil #9, published in 1965. Novak broke into the business in 1975 with Marvel SpotlightMarvel Spotlight
Marvel Spotlight is the name of several comic book series published by Marvel Comics as a try-out book for new characters. The first series ran for 33 issues from November 1971 to April 1977...
#25, as a minor member of the "third wave" of creators, which included artists John Byrne and Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
, and writers Roger Stern
Roger Stern
Roger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.-Early career:In the early 1970s, Stern and Bob Layton published the fanzine CPL , one of the first platforms for the work of John Byrne...
, Jo Duffy
Jo Duffy
Jo Duffy, sometimes credited as Mary Jo Duffy is a comic book editor and writer, known for her work for Marvel Comics in the 1980s, and DC Comics and Image Comics in the 1990s.-Biography:...
, Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...
and Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio (comics)
Ralph Macchio is an American comic book editor and writer, who has held many positions at Marvel Comics, including executive editor. Macchio is commonly associated with Daredevil, the Spider-Man line of comics and the popular Ultimate Marvel line...
.
He soon became a staff letterer (and occasional logo designer) at Marvel, ascending to production manager in the mid-1980s. A prolific worker, in the 1980s Novak was the regular letterer for such titles as Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
(1981–1987) Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
(1980–1984), Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
(1980–1984), The Incredible Hulk (1981–1984), and Marvel Fanfare
Marvel Fanfare
Marvel Fanfare is the title of two comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Both versions of Marvel Fanfare were anthology, showcase titles featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe.-Volume One:...
(1982–1991), when he lettered as many as five or six books per month.
In the 1980s and early 90s (and even in 2000–2001), Novak was often paired with writer/artist Byrne, on such titles as The Avengers, Fantastic Four, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Sensational She-Hulk, and Marvel: The Lost Generation
Marvel: The Lost Generation
Marvel: The Lost Generation is a twelve-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 2000 and 2001. The series was written by Roger Stern and drawn by John Byrne. Numbered in reverse order, it began with issue #12 and finished with issue #1 Marvel: The Lost Generation is a...
. Over the year, Novak also lettered a number of titles written by Stern, including Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, The Avengers, Doctor Strange, Marvel Universe, The Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spectacular Spider-Man is the name of several comic books and one magazine series starring Marvel Comics' Spider-Man.The character's main series, The Amazing Spider-Man, was extremely successful, and Marvel felt the character could support more than one title. This led the company in 1968 to...
, and Marvel: The Lost Generation.
In the 1990s, Novak worked on many limited series and one-shots, as well as full-time lettering on Darkhawk
Darkhawk
Darkhawk is a fictional comic book superhero who first appeared in his own self-titled series, Darkhawk #1...
, Green Goblin
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
, Fantastic Four again, and Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy. In the 2000s, Novak's lettering work has been more sporadic.
External links
- Jim Novak at Memory Alpha