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Joe Kelly (comics writer)

Influential comic writer Joe Kelly shaped Deadpool, wrote for Marvel/DC, and co-created the animated series Ben 10.

1. Overview

Joseph "Joe" Kelly is a highly influential American comic book writer, penciler, and editor known for his significant contributions to both Marvel Comics and DC Comics, as well as his pioneering work in animation. He is widely recognized for shaping the modern persona of characters like Deadpool and for his critically acclaimed run on Superman's Action Comics. As a founding member of Man of Action Studios, Kelly also played a pivotal role in the creation of the globally popular animated series Ben 10 and served as a supervising producer for Ultimate Spider-Man. His career reflects a versatile talent that has left a lasting impact across various forms of media, from independent comic book projects to major animated franchises.

2. Early Life and Education

Joseph Kelly was born in 1971. He attended Freeport High School before pursuing higher education. Kelly went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He maintains a connection with his alma mater, where he currently teaches courses on Writing for Animation and Writing for Comics, sharing his expertise with aspiring creators. While at NYU, Kelly was recruited into the "Stan-hattan Project," an initiative by Marvel Comics editor James Felder designed to train potential comic book writers directly from the university's talent pool. This program provided Kelly with his initial entry into the professional comic book industry.

3. Career

Joe Kelly's professional journey spans various roles within the comic book industry and extends into animation, video games, and film. His career is marked by influential runs on major superhero titles, acclaimed creator-owned projects, and successful ventures into television production.

3.1. Marvel Comics

Kelly's initial published work for Marvel Comics appeared in 1996, with contributions to 2099: World of Tomorrow #1-8 and Marvel Fanfare vol.2 #2-3. His first consistent monthly assignment began in 1997 with Deadpool, initially collaborating with penciler Ed McGuinness. This title quickly garnered significant fan and critical acclaim, establishing the character's unique blend of humor, action, and fourth-wall breaks. The series proved so popular that when it was slated for cancellation with issue #25, a dedicated fan campaign, including write-in letters and internet efforts, successfully persuaded Marvel to reverse its decision. Kelly ultimately concluded his influential run on Deadpool with issue #33 in 1999.

Around the same period, Kelly also took on writing duties for Daredevil from 1997 to 1998, working with renowned artist Gene Colan until issue #375. He also penned a Daredevil/Deadpool '97 Annual, which featured the two characters in a well-received crossover. In late 1997, Kelly moved to one of Marvel's then-bestselling titles, X-Men vol. 2, collaborating with penciler Carlos Pacheco. However, his tenure on the title, along with his friend Steven T. Seagle's run on the sister title Uncanny X-Men, was cut short in 1999, with Kelly's last issue being #85, reportedly due to consistent editorial interference.

Kelly later returned to Marvel, contributing to The Amazing Spider-Man from 2008 to 2010, including story arcs like "Crime and Punisher," "American Son," and "Grim Hunt." He also notably co-wrote Spider-Man/Deadpool from 2016 to 2017, reuniting with Ed McGuinness. More recently, he worked on Non-Stop Spider-Man (2021), Deadpool: The End (2020), Deadpool: Nerdy 30 (2021), and the 2024 mini-series Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII.

3.2. DC Comics

Following his initial departure from Marvel, Joe Kelly began working for DC Comics, starting with Action Comics, a flagship title starring Superman, in October 1999 with issue #760. He maintained a long and impactful run on the series for nearly five years, concluding with issue #813 in May 2004, frequently collaborating with penciler Pasqual Ferry. During this period, Kelly authored the highly acclaimed story "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" in Action Comics #775. This issue introduced The Elite, an anti-hero team, and their leader Manchester Black, and was lauded by Wizard Magazine as "the single best issue of a comic book written in the year 2001" for its incisive commentary on the nature of heroism and justice.

In December 2000, Kelly also had a brief but notable stint as a writer on the Superboy comic (#83-93), often working again with Pasqual Ferry. In 2002, he commenced a significant run on DC's JLA (#61-93) with penciler Doug Mahnke. After their work on JLA concluded, the same creative team launched Justice League Elite, a twelve-issue limited series that featured some of the characters introduced in Action Comics #775. Also in 2002, DC published Green Lantern: Legacy - The Last Will & Testament of Hal Jordan, a graphic novel by Kelly, Brent Anderson, and Bill Sienkiewicz, which explored the life and career of Hal Jordan during his time as the Spectre.

Kelly also collaborated with artist Ariel Olivetti on a Space Ghost series in 2004, which reimagined the character with a serious space opera tone and, for the first time, revealed his origins. Other contributions to DC Comics include writing for Supergirl (2006-2007), Superman/Batman (including an issue co-written with his son Jack), Steampunk (published through Wildstorm's Cliffhanger imprint), and one-shot contributions to various anthologies like All-Star Comics 80-Page Giant and 9-11 Volume 2.

3.3. Creator-Owned Works

Beyond his work for major publishers, Joe Kelly has developed several acclaimed creator-owned projects, showcasing his unique storytelling and artistic vision. His first creator-owned work was Steampunk, penciled by Chris Bachalo and published by DC's Wildstorm imprint through Cliffhanger in 2000. While a second part, Drama Obscura, provided some closure, Kelly has expressed intentions to continue the series. He also created M. Rex with penciler Duncan Rouleau, which was published by the now-defunct Avalon Studios, though it was canceled after two issues, and Ballast, a one-shot with artist Ilya published by Active Images.

Kelly has published several significant creator-owned works through Image Comics. These include Four Eyes (2008-2016) with Max Fiumara, a series about a boy and his dragon, and the critically acclaimed I Kill Giants (2008-2009) with J. M. Ken Niimura, which was later adapted into a feature film. Other Image Comics projects include the graphic novel Douglas Fredericks and the House of They (2009), Bad Dog (2009-2014) with Diego Greco, and Kid Savage (2017) with Ilya. He has also contributed to Image's Elephantmen series. In 2021, he released Claire's Hair, a digital picture book, via Panel Syndicate.

3.4. Animation and Other Media

Joe Kelly has successfully transitioned his storytelling talents into the realm of animation and other media. He is a key member of Man of Action Studios, a collective of comic book creators that also includes Joe Casey, Duncan Rouleau, and Steven T. Seagle. Through Man of Action, Kelly is a co-creator of the highly successful animated series Ben 10, which premiered on Cartoon Network and has spawned multiple spin-offs, films, and video games, becoming a global franchise.

Kelly and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada prepare a March 31, 2012 sneak preview of Ultimate Spider-Man for fans at Midtown Comics in Manhattan, the day before the series' broadcast TV debut.
Kelly and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada prepare a March 31, 2012 sneak preview of Ultimate Spider-Man for fans at Midtown Comics in Manhattan, the day before the series' broadcast TV debut.


In addition to Ben 10, Kelly served as a Supervising Producer for Disney/Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man series on Disney XD. He also worked as a story editor on TMNT: Fast Forward. His animation writing credits include an episode of Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes titled "My Neighbour Was a Skrull," featuring the Skrulls, and the series premiere of Chaotic, an animated series based on a trading card game.

Beyond animation, Kelly has ventured into video games, notably co-writing Darksiders for THQ. He also explored filmmaking, directing the short film Brother's Day in 2007, which was selected for the Brooklyn International Film Festival.

4. Bibliography

Joe Kelly's extensive bibliography includes a wide range of comic book titles for major publishers and numerous creator-owned works.

4.1. Marvel Comics

  • Marvel 2099:
    • Fantastic Four #5: "Strange Tidings" (1996)
    • World of Tomorrow #1-8 (1996-1997)
  • Daredevil:
    • Over the Edge #10: "The Politics of Infamy" (1996)
    • Daredevil #358, 365, 373, 375 (1996-1998)
    • Purgatory and Paradise (includes #358)
    • Widow's Kiss (collects #365-375, -1 and Daredevil/Deadpool Annual '97)
  • Marvel Fanfare vol. 2 #2-3: "Instinct" (1996)
  • What If...? vol. 2:
    • "The Man, The Monster" (in #91, 1996)
    • "...I'll Be Your Best Friend!" (in #92, 1996)
  • X-Men:
    • Wolverine Annual '96: "The Golden Temple" (1996)
    • Juggernaut: "A Night in Spite" (one-shot, 1997)
    • Deadpool #1-33, -1 (1997-1999)
    • Deadpool Classic Volume 1 (includes #1)
    • Deadpool Classic Volume 2 (collects #2-8, -1 and Daredevil/Deadpool Annual '97)
    • Deadpool Classic Volume 3 (collects #9-17)
    • Deadpool Classic Volume 4 (collects #0, 18-25 and Deadpool/Death Annual '98)
    • Deadpool Classic Volume 5 (collects #26-33 and the Baby's First Deadpool Book one-shot)
    • Deadpool by Joe Kelly Omnibus (collects #0-33, -1, Annual '97 and '98, Baby's First Deadpool Book and the short story from Deadpool vol. 2 #900)
    • X-Men vol. 2 #70-85 (1997-1999)
    • X-Men Gold: Homecoming (collects #70-79)
    • X-Men: The Hunt for Professor X (includes #80-84)
    • X-Men: The Magneto War (includes #85)
    • Uncanny X-Men #359: "Power Play" (1998)
    • X-Men Blue: Reunion (collects #359)
    • Deadpool vol. 2 #900: "Pinky Swear" (2009)
    • Deadpool: Dead Head Redemption (collects #900)
    • Deadpool vol. 3 #27: "The Niagara Bride" (2014)
    • Deadpool: The Wedding (collects #27)
    • Deadpool: The End (one-shot, 2020)
    • Marvel: The End (collects Deadpool: The End)
    • Deadpool: Nerdy 30: "The Immaculate Misconception" (one-shot, 2021)
    • Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII (mini-series, 2024) [https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/108483/deadpool_wolverine_wwiii_2024_1]
  • Spider-Man:
    • Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #7-9: "The Bridge" (1999)
    • Spider-Man: Webspinners - The Complete Collection (collects #7-9)
    • The Amazing Spider-Man:
      • Crime and Punisher (includes The Amazing Spider-Man: Extra! #1: "Death of a Wise Guy" and "Hammerhead: Family Ties" in #575-576, "J. Jonah Jameson! I Name Thee Murderer!" in #577, 2008-2009)
      • American Son (collects The Amazing Spider-Man: Extra! #3: "Nice Things" and "American Son" in #595-599, 2009)
      • Died in Your Arms Tonight (includes "Violent Visions" in #600, 2009)
      • Return of the Black Cat (includes "The Long-Term Arrangement" in #606-607, "This Man, This [Expletive Deleted]" in #611, 2009-2010)
      • The Gauntlet Volume 1 (includes "The Other Woman" in #612, 2010)
      • The Gauntlet Volume 2 (includes "Rage of the Rhino" and "The Walk" in #617, 2010)
      • The Gauntlet Volume 3 (includes "Rhino: Endangered Species" in #625, 2010)
      • Grim Hunt (collects Spider-Man: Grim Hunt - The Kraven Saga one-shot and "Grim Hunt" in #634-637, 2010)
      • Origin of the Species (includes "Norah's Last Night in NYC" in #647, 2010)
    • Spider-Man/Deadpool #1-5, 8-10, 13-14, 17-18 (2016-2017)
    • Spider-Man/Deadpool by Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness (collects #1-5, 8-10, 13-14, 17-18)
    • Non-Stop Spider-Man #1-5 (2021)
    • Non-Stop Spider-Man: Big Brain Play (collects #1-5)
  • Heroes Reborn: The Return:
    • Heroes Reborn: Rebel: "Wild Blue" (one-shot, 2000)
    • Heroes Reborn: Remnants: "The Day the Earth Got Ill!" (one-shot, 2000)

4.2. DC Comics

  • All-Star Comics 80-Page Giant: "P.O.V.: A Fable" (one-shot, 1999)
  • Superman:
    • Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant: "Dreams in Smoke" (one-shot, 1999)
    • Action Comics #760-770, 772-777, 779, 780-790, 792-793, 795-810, 812-813 (1999-2004)
    • Superman: The City of Tomorrow Volume 1 (includes #760-762, Superman Y2K: "The End" one-shot, #763)
    • Metropolis Secret Files: "Metropolica" (one-shot, 2000)
    • Superman: The City of Tomorrow Volume 2 (includes #764-768)
    • Superman: Emperor Joker (includes #769, Superman: Emperor Joker one-shot, #770)
    • Superman: President Lex (includes #772-773)
    • "Fireside Chat" (in #774, 2001)
    • Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Volume 1 (includes "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" in #775)
    • Superman: Return to Krypton (includes #776, 793)
    • "Kancer" (in #777, 2001)
    • "King Takes Pawn" (in #779, 2001)
    • Superman: Our Worlds at War (includes #780-782, Superboy vol. 3 #91)
    • Our Worlds at War: Secret Files: "They Call Me Zed" (one-shot, 2001)
    • "The Gift" (in #783, 2001)
    • "Joker: Last Laugh - Whose Mind is It Anyways?" (in #784, 2001)
    • "Demento" (in #785, 2002)
    • "Red" (in #786, 2002)
    • "Jikei Ketsuki: Mercy, Love and Blood" (in #787-788, 2002)
    • "Man and Beast" (in #789-790, 2002)
    • "Big City, Little Man" (in #792, 2002)
    • Superman: Ending Battle (includes #795-796)
    • "Superego" (in #797, 2003)
    • "Lost Hearts, Part Four: Heartsong" (in #798, 2003)
    • "The Cage" (in #799, 2003)
    • "A Hero's Journey" (in #800, 2003)
    • "The Harvest" (in #801-805, 2003)
    • "Hungry Ghost" (in #806-808, 2003)
    • "The Creeping Death" (in #809, 2004)
    • Superman: The Man of Steel - Believe (includes #810)
    • Superboy vol. 3 #83-93 (2001)
    • Adventures of Superman:
      • "Superman: The Dailies 2002 - The Most Bizarro Case of All - Part 8 of 8" (in #600, 2002)
      • "Lost Hearts, Part Two: Heartbroken" (in #611, 2003)
    • Superman: Godfall (collects "Godfall, Parts 1 and 4" in Action Comics #812-813, "Godfall, Parts 2 and 5" in Adventures of Superman #625-626, "Godfall, Parts 3 and 6" in Superman vol. 2 #202-203, 2004)
    • Superman: Infinite Crisis (collects "This is Your Life, Part 1" in Superman vol. 2 #226, "This is Your Life, Part 2" in Action Comics #836, "This is Your Life, Part 3" in Adventures of Superman #649, 2006)
    • Supergirl vol. 4 #7-11, 13-19 (2006-2007)
    • The Girl of Steel (includes #7-10)
    • Breaking the Chain (collects #11 and 13-19, includes "All I Want for Christmas..." from DCU Infinite Holiday Special one-shot)
    • Superman/Batman:
      • Volume 3 (includes Annual #1: "Stop Me If You've Heard This One...", 2006)
      • Volume 4 (includes Annual #2: "The Unexamined Life...", 2008)
      • Sorcerer Kings (includes "Who Would Win?" in #78, 2011)
  • Steampunk #1-12 (2000-2002)
    • Manimatron (collects #1-5 and the Steampunk: Catechism prelude one-shot)
    • Drama Obscura (collects #6-12)
  • Wonder Woman vol. 2 #170: "She's a Wonder" (2001)
  • Batman: Gotham Knights #17: "A Moment in the Light" (2001)
  • Green Lantern: Legacy - The Last Will and Testament of Hal Jordan (graphic novel, 2002)
  • 9-11 Volume 2: "Wake Up" (graphic novel, 2002)
  • Justice League of America:
    • JLA #61-90 (2002-2004)
    • The Deluxe Edition Volume 6 (collects #61-76)
    • The Deluxe Edition Volume 7 (collects #78-90)
    • Justice League Elite #1-12 (2004-2005)
    • Volume 1 (collects #1-4 and Action Comics #775, includes JLA #100 and "Same Coin" from JLA Secret Files & Origins 2004)
    • Volume 2 (collects #5-12)
    • JLA/Cyberforce (one-shot, 2005)
  • Enginehead #1-6 (2004)
  • Space Ghost #1-6 (2005)
  • Solo #6: "Drive" (2005)
  • DC Universe Holiday Special: "A Day without Sirens" (one-shot, 2009)
  • Bang! Tango #1-6 (2009)
  • The Reign of Megamind (promotional one-shot, 2010)

4.3. Other Publishers

  • M. Rex #1-2 (Avalon Studios, 1999)
  • Elephantmen (Image Comics):
    • "Captain Stoneheart and the Truth Fairy" (in #7, 2007)
    • Volume 1: Wounded Animals (collects #7)
    • Captain Stoneheart and the Truth Fairy (separate volume reprint)
    • "Planet of the Ungulates" (in The Pilot one-shot, 2007)
    • Volume 2: Fatal Diseases (collects The Pilot)
  • I Kill Giants #1-7 (Image Comics, 2008-2009)
  • Four Eyes (Image Comics):
    • Four Eyes #1-4 (2008-2010)
    • Volume 1: Forged in Flames (collects #1-4)
    • Four Eyes: Hearts of Fire #1-4 (2016)
    • Volume 2: Hearts of Fire (collects Hearts of Fire #1-4)
  • Bad Dog #1-6 (Image Comics, 2009-2014)
  • Outlaw Territory Volume 1: "Ballad of a Bad Man" (Image Comics, graphic novel, 2009)
  • Douglas Fredericks and the House of They (Image Comics, graphic novel, 2009)
  • Kid Savage (Image Comics, graphic novel, 2017)
  • Traces of the Great War: "Fot Want of a Bullet..." (Image Comics, graphic novel, 2018)
  • Occupational Hazards #2: "Lavalava and the Holes" (CD Comics, 2000)
  • Active Images:
    • Ballast (graphic novel, 2005)
    • The Nightmarist (as editor; graphic novel, 2006)
  • Heroes (NBC.com webcomic):
    • Heroes Volume 2 (includes "It Takes a Village" in #35-38, "The Crossroads" in #53, 2007)
  • Love is Love: "Fly" (IDW Publishing, graphic novel, 2016)
  • Mega Man: Fully Charged #1-6 (Boom! Studios, as creative consultant, 2020-2021)
  • Claire's Hair (Panel Syndicate, digital picture book, 2021) [http://panelsyndicate.com/comics/claireshair]

5. Personal Life

Joseph Kelly was born in 1971. In addition to his prolific career as a comic book writer and producer, he holds a teaching position at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he imparts knowledge on writing for animation and comics. Kelly has also collaborated professionally with his son, Jack, co-writing an issue of the Superman/Batman comic book series.

6. Assessment and Legacy

Joe Kelly stands as a highly regarded and influential figure in both the comic book and animation industries, celebrated for his distinctive voice and versatility. His impact on the character of Deadpool is particularly significant; his foundational run established the character's signature blend of dark humor, self-awareness, and fourth-wall breaking, which became central to Deadpool's enduring popularity and subsequent success across various media, including blockbuster films. The fervent fan campaign that saved his Deadpool series from cancellation is a testament to the strong connection he forged with readers and the unique appeal of his storytelling.

Beyond his work on established characters, Kelly's contributions to DC Comics are highlighted by the critically acclaimed Action Comics #775, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?". This landmark issue, lauded by Wizard Magazine as "the single best issue of a comic book written in the year 2001," offered a profound and timely commentary on the nature of heroism and justice, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike.

As a co-founder of Man of Action Studios, Kelly's influence extends significantly into the realm of animation. His role in co-creating the immensely successful Ben 10 franchise demonstrates his ability to develop compelling narratives and characters that capture the imagination of a global audience, leading to a multi-platform phenomenon. His work as a supervising producer on Ultimate Spider-Man further solidifies his standing as a key creative force in modern animated storytelling.

Kelly's creator-owned works, such as the Eisner Award-nominated I Kill Giants and Four Eyes, showcase his capacity for crafting deeply personal and imaginative narratives outside the confines of mainstream superhero universes. These projects underscore his unique artistic vision and willingness to explore diverse genres and themes. His continued engagement with academia through his teaching role at New York University also highlights his commitment to nurturing new talent and contributing to the future of the comic and animation arts. Joe Kelly's legacy is defined by his innovative storytelling, his ability to redefine iconic characters, and his pivotal role in creating enduring franchises that have captivated audiences worldwide.