LETTERER

A 'letterer' is a member of a team of comic book creators responsible for drawing the comic book’s text. The letterer writes the letters in the word balloons, draws in sound effects, and usually designs a book’s logo. The letterer’s use of typefaces, calligraphy, letter size, and layout of the words inside the balloon all contribute to the impact of the comic. The letterer is an essential member of a comic-creating team, which may also include a penciler, inker, writer, and colorist.
While many comics are still-hand lettered, most mainstream American comics are now lettered using a graphics program such as Adobe Illustrator and a font that usually resembles lettering done by hand. Many cartoonists who formerly lettered by hand now use a computer font made to match their handwriting.
Both the Eisner Awards and the Harvey Awards have a “best letterer” category.
Leading letterers in the comics industry include:

★ John Workman

★ Janice Chiang

★ Phil Felix

★ Jim Massara

★ David Jackson

★ Bob Pinaha

★ Kurt Hathaway

★ Ken Bruzenak

★ Jim Novak

★ Bill Oakley

★ John Costanza

★ Jack Morelli

★ Jim Aparo

★ Ellie de Ville

★ Chris Eliopoulos

★ Tom Frame

★ Jared K. Fletcher

★ Troy Peteri

★ Todd Klein

★ Dave Lanphear

★ Ben Oda

★ Tom Orzechowski

★ Annie Parkhouse

★ Bill Pearson

★ Joe Rosen

★ Sam Rosen

★ Gaspar Saladino

★ Henry Shikuma

★ Artie Simek

★ Richard Starkings

★ Jim Wroten

★ Margaret Wroten

★ Bill Yoshida

★ Lois Buhalis

★ Diana Albers

★ Ken Lopez
Cartoonists known for the lettering on their own comics include:


★ Daniel Clowes

★ Rian Hughes

★ Walt Kelly

★ Stan Sakai

★ Dave Sim

★ Chris Ware

★ Dave Gibbons

★ John Byrne

★ Eddie Campbell

★ Ty Templeton
Companies that provide computer lettering include:

★ Blambot

★ Comicraft

★ Artmonkeys