Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is a comic book letterer, journalist, and educator whose work has appeared across the industry’s biggest publishers. His lettering credits span DC Comics, Marvel, Valiant Entertainment, Dark Horse, Image Comics, Dynamite, and numerous indie publishers, bringing distinctive character and clarity to stories ranging from superhero epics to intimate dramas.

Beyond his lettering work, Otsmane-Elhaou serves as editor of PanelxPanel, the digital comics magazine that won the Eisner Award for Best Academic/Scholarly Work. Through his acclaimed YouTube channel Strip Panel Naked, he has become one of comics’ most thoughtful analysts, breaking down the techniques of sequential storytelling in ways that inform both casual readers and working creators.

His interview series Letter to the Editor (part of The Short Box Podcast) has featured conversations with prominent letterers and industry figures, bringing attention to the craft often called “the invisible art” of comics. His own work demonstrates how lettering shapes reading experience, guides eye movement, and adds emotional texture to visual narratives.

For Vault Comics’ Test, Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering guides readers through Aleph Null’s disjointed journey, using visual rhythm to reflect the protagonist’s altered mental state and the unsettling perfection of Laurelwood. His other credits include lettering for Valiant’s SAVAGE series, Dynamite’s Red Sonja and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt, Image’s Protector, and Aftershock’s Trust Fall.

Perfect for fans of thoughtful comics criticism and the unsung craft that makes sequential storytelling work.