DC Comics stands for “Detective Comics” and its formal name is National Comics Publications. It is an American Comic Book company first published almost 90 years ago in 1934.
DC comics is a part of DC Entertainment, which is a branch of Warner Bros.
Logo History
Although in 1938 Superman was the first character published by DC in Action Comics No.1 and it was a massive success, there was no official logo for DC Comics. Not even after releasing Batman in 1939. DC Comics showed their first ever logo to the world in 1940.
Logo Time Period
1940-1942
Logo Details
Logo was a simple & small logo without background, just with some text “A DC Publication” and two blank circles with black color strokes. “A” was on top in black color, “DC” was designed differently than other texts in the middle with white color and a black color stroke. “Publication” was in black color at the bottom of the logo. “DC” was in the inside of the smaller circle and “A” & “Publication” was in the inside of the bigger circle.
Logo History
DC updated their logo in 1942 when they published their Superman series. Their main focus was on Superman but they were acknowledging Batman too. Superman and Batman were the main focus of DC Comics. Wonder Woman also got attention in the DC Comics. Back then DC was running Advertises showcasing Superman as “Superman-DC”.
Logo Time Period
1942-1949
Logo Details
This version of the logo was almost twice the size of the first one and had a white background but the most changing part was when DC added “Superman” to “A DC Publication”. Like the previous one this also had two circles but this time with white color and black color strokes. In this logo “A Superman” was on top in black color, “DC” was designed like 3D in the middle with black & white color and “Publication” was in black color at the bottom of the logo. “DC” was in the inside circle and “A Superman” & “Publication” was in the outside circle.
Logo History
After 7 years DC COMICS decided to change their logo again in November 1949. This time they tried to change the logo concept into their formal name. Which is National Comics Publications. “Flash” was added to DC between this logo’s lifetime in 1956.
Logo Time Period
1949-1970
Logo Details
“Superman” was on top with red color, in the middle “DC” was also in red color with two black color dots on both sides and “National Comics” was black color at the bottom of the logo. “DC” was in the inside circle and “Superman”, two black color dots & “National Comics” was in the outside circle. This version of the logo also served as the round body of Johnny DC in the 1960s mascot of DC Comics.
Logo History
Another revolution of logo concepts for DC Comics came in 1970. The DC franchise tried to retire the concept circular logo with “DC” at the center of the circle. This time they tried to represent Superman more. So they bringed Superman visuals to the logo. In this version of the logo Superman’s body appeared in the logo, not just his name in the text. So Superman became the face of DC Comics by appearing in a stylized logo back then.
Logo Time Period
1970-1972
Logo Details
On top of the logo “Superman” is flying with a black color circle shape background behind him. In the bottom of the logo “DC Superman” text appeared in black color inside of a yellow color rectangle with a black stroke around it.
Logo History
DC Comics again got back to a circular in July 1972. This logo was so specifically simple and less text used than any other logos in the past. This logo represented the rebirth of the DC Comics back then.
Logo Time Period
1972-1974
Logo Details
In the middle of the logo “DC” text appeared with a bold red color inside of a white color circle with black color stroke on it.
Logo History
“DC” charged their logo again in 1974 and this time they added more text again to their logo. They try to represent their Superheroes as Superstars this time with a different tagline called “The Line of DC Super-Stars”. Michael Uslan was the designer of this logo. This logo was placed in top center cover from August 1975 to October 1976.
Logo Time Period
1974-1976
Logo Details
On the top of the logo “The Line of” text appeared in red color. In the middle “DC” text is placed in the center with blue color and two stars appear on both sides in red color. At the bottom “Super Stars” text was in red color. A white color circle with black color stroke was placed in the background.
Logo History
In 1976 Milton Glaser designed the next logo of DC Comics which lasted for almost 30 years since 2005. This logo is assumed to be called DC Bullet. This logo was the last logo of 20th century DC and the only logo ever made in majority black color appearance.
Logo Time Period
1976-2005
Logo Details
This logo was 40 degrees rotated. In the center “DC” bold text was in the in black color with white color stroke inside, behind it was a white color circle shape background with a tiny black color stroke inside. Outside those four stars were over a big black color circle shape background with a white stroke inside of it.
Logo History
Josh Beatman and Richard Bruning created the first 21st century logo for DC Comics where they bring it back in blue and white color. This logo had gradients and 3D shapes. This logo was the first logo which was started with animation in the beginning of any DC movies, series and animations in that time. It was designed with so many visions for a new technological advancement of the new 21st century.
Logo Time Period
2005-2012
Logo Details
“DC” was in the middle of this logo in white color with blue stroke. Behind in a white color circle shape background with blue color stroke, over it a white and blue color highlight was added. In the bottom right of the logo a white color star with blue color stroke was added.
Logo History
A new logo appeared for DC Comics in march 2012 and this was a totally different logo from any other logos ever published by them. Creativity of this logo was on another level. The first movie released under this logo was “The DARK Knight Rises” and the first series was released “Arrow”. This logo lasted for four years everywhere DC appeared.
Logo Time Period
2012-2016
Logo Details
On top of the logo a blue color gradient paper shaped “D” letter was flipped left to reveal the bold “C” letter in black color. In the middle bottom “DC” text was in black color. At the bottom “COMICS” text also was in black color.
Logo History
In May 2016 DC Comics redrew their logo based on their 1972’s logo concept. This is a simple logo. Like in 1972 DC Comics was themed with rebirth by representing a new logo, similarly in 2016 DC tried to restart their cinematic universe called DCEU.
Logo Time Period
2016-Present Day
Logo Details
In this logo “DC” text is in the center of the logo with blue color. The text is designed as a new reboot of DC and a line shape between two letters. Background is a white color circle with a blue stroke on it.
