A B-Side BY Armin

Valiant

Established in 1989, Valiant is a comic book character-based publishing and licensing company with a library that “includes over 1,500 characters, such as X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, and Ninjak.” The compass logo evolution was designed by Rian Hughes. Press release here.

Thanks to Warren for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

Bongo Comics Loses Some Bongo-Ness

Established in 1993 by Steve and Cindy Vance, Bill Morrison, and Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons and Futurama), Bongo Comics is a comic book publisher devoted to off-shoots of Groening’s two popular TV series that has included fan favorites like Itchy & Scratchy, Radioactive Man, and Krusty titles over the years. Its most current roster of titles focuses on The Simpsons and Futurama, as well as carrying Mad magazine genius Sergio Aragonés’ Funnies. Since most comic book publishers are rebranding this start of 2012 Bongo Comics is introducing a new logo for itself and its titles, designed by their in-house designer Serban Cristescu.

Continue reading this entry

Opinion BY Armin

The Devil is in the Details

Established in 1997 in Portland, OR, Oni Press is a small-ish independent comic books publisher known and respected for its innovative and out of the mainstream titles, including the popular Scott Pilgrim series as well as more nerdy ventures like bringing to comic book life Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jansen character. In Japanese folklore Oni refers to demons and devils and their logo originally featured an Oni trinket illustrated by Watchmen’s Dave Gibbons. The new logo was updated in-house and released last week.

Continue reading this entry

Opinion BY Armin

DC may be its own Villain

Founded in 1934 (originally as National Allied Publications), DC Comics is one of the biggest publishers of comic books and is home to some of the most famed superheroes like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. This past Summer, DC Comics made big news when it announced it would reboot 52 of its titles back to issue #1, giving many of its characters full-on makeovers, to mixed reviews and feelings. Now, DC is back in the sight of fanboys and critics with an imminent new logo that was spotted at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), meaning that DC was filing for protection before launch. Sometimes companies file various logos for protection even if they don’t use them and I was initially hesitant to post this logo because DC could always change its mind and because there is no official word from them. But in looking through the records at USPTO — here is one example — DC has filed the new logo for registration under 19 different categories: from backpacks and wallets; to video games and motion picture films; to bowls, plates, and mugs; to metal key holders and rings; to, even, processed and dried vegetables. In other words: for every kind of merchandise imaginable. They have also filed for registration at the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) in the European Union. So, they are serious about this new logo.

Continue reading this entry