James R. Novak(September 14, 1955 - April 2018)[1][2]was acomic bookcreator, primarily working as alettererforMarvel Comics,where he worked on almost every one of their ongoing series,[citation needed]and contributed to the development of the iconicStar Warslogo.[3]He did occasional work as a writer, penciler, and colorist, and also worked at publishers includingDark Horse,Boom! Studios,Image,Dynamite,andIDW.[4]
| Jim Novak | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 14, 1955 Chicago |
| Died | April 2018(aged 62) |
| Area(s) | Letterer |
Biography
editJim Novak was born in Chicago, on September 14, 1955.[1][2][5]
He broke into the comics industry in 1975 withMarvel Spotlight#25, as a member of the "third wave" of creators at the company,[citation needed]which included artistsJohn ByrneandFrank Miller,and writersRoger Stern,Jo Duffy,Mark Gruenwald,andRalph Macchio.He became a staff letterer (and occasional logo designer)[6]at Marvel, ascending to production manager in the mid-1980s.[7]During this time, in advance of the film's release, he redesigned the logo for the company'sStar Warscomic, making changes that were incorporated into the version used in the film's marketing.[3]
In the 1980s Novak was the regular letterer for such titles asAvengers(1981–1987)Doctor Strange(1980–1984),Fantastic Four(1980–1984),The Incredible Hulk(1981–1984), andMarvel Fanfare(1982–1991), when he lettered as many as five or six books per month. Fellow lettererBill Oakleyopined that Novak created the best shapes forspeech balloonsof any letterer he knew.[8]In the 1980s and early 1990s (and even in 2000–2001), Novak was often paired with writer/artist Byrne, on such titles asThe Avengers,Fantastic Four,Wolverine,Sensational She-Hulk,andMarvel: The Lost Generation.Over the years, Novak also lettered a number of titles written by Stern, includingCaptain America,The Avengers,Doctor Strange,Marvel Universe,The Spectacular Spider-Man,andMarvel: The Lost Generation.
In the 1990s, Novak worked on many limited series and one-shots, as well as full-time lettering onDarkhawk,Green Goblin,Fantastic Fouragain, andStar Trek: Star Fleet Academy.
Bibliography
edit- Captain America(1979–1982)
- Master of Kung-Fu(1980–1982)
- Doctor Strange(1980–1984)
- Fantastic Four(1980–1984, 1995–1996)
- The Avengers(1981–1987)
- Incredible Hulk(1981–1984)
- Marvel Fanfare(1982–1991)
- Sensational She-Hulk(1989–1992)
- Darkhawk(1994–1995)
- Green Goblin(1995–1996)
- Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy(1996–1998)
Notes
edit- ^ab"Jim Novak 1955‑2018 | Eliot R. Brown.com".Retrieved2021-02-05.
- ^ab"Marvel Letterer And Star Wars Logo Designer Jim Novak Passes Away".Retrieved2018-10-05.
- ^abAlphabet, Alex Jay - Tenth Letter of the."Anatomy of a Logo: Star Wars".Gizmodo.Retrieved2018-10-05.
- ^"Jim Novak, Marvel Staff Letterer and Logo Designer, Has Died".Multiversity Comics.2018-10-05.Retrieved2018-10-05.
- ^Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005)."Comics Industry Birthdays".Comics Buyer's Guide.Archived fromthe originalon February 18, 2011.RetrievedDecember 12,2010.
- ^"Logo Study: IRON MAN Part 2," Todd Klein's blog (June 18, 2000).Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- ^Ken Lopez on Todd Klein's blog:"Logo Study: X-Men Update," (Oct. 19, 2007).Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- ^Zimmerman, Dwight Jon (January 1988). "Bill Oakley".Comics Interview.No. 54.Fictioneer Books.p. 31.
References
edit- Jim Novakat the Comic Book DB (archived fromthe original)