DC TO UNVEIL NEW LOGO

[Adam Chapman]

From Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33316)

According to a report in Monday’s International Herald Tribune (posted online Sunday, by way of the New York Times) DC will be unveiling a new logo on a comic book on sale May 25th, and then premiere it line-wide the following week. According to the report, the new look will replace the flat, four-star bullet that has served as DC’s logo since the mid-1970s, and is part “face-lift and part marketing strategy.”

Looking at DC's current schedule, The Return of Donna Troy looks like a strong possibility to serve as the debut title, as it was recently rescheduled (moved up a week to 5/25, in fact) and has been called a pivotal book in what DC is building towards with Infinite Crisis.

"The logotype is intended to brand DC Comics as a contender across all media, from comics and toys to television and film, as the company tries to compete with Marvel Comics, the publisher of Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four,” reports the Herald Tribune.

Kevin Tsujihara, the Warner Brothers Executive Vice President for Corporate Business Development and Strategy is quoted in the piece as saying, “We're talking about a multibillion-dollar brand. There was a level of concern that we weren't fully utilizing the power of DC."

The new logo will reportedly grace all manner of DC-related merchandise and programming, including toys, and TV’s Smallville and Justice League Unlimited.

Update 3:30pm EST: According to sources speaking with Newsarama, DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy (recently rescheduled for a May 25th debut) will be the first book of the line to carry the new logo.

[Terry Verticchio]

Wow, this is weird, I was thinking about this very thing a couple days ago...why doesn't DC change their logo...the disc is a tad lame.

Deja Vu, man.

Can't wait to see and for the return of Donna Troy, for that matter.

[Ronée]

Oh yeah I can't wait for that one either.

[Terry Verticchio]

Saw some previews of the RoDT work...oh yea, lookin' good. Perez on Inks!! What more can ya ask for? At least without breaking the law. ;)

[Ronée]

Saw some previews of the RoDT work...oh yea, lookin' good. Perez on Inks!! What more can ya ask for? At least without breaking the law. ;)I know right? Im psyched up.

[S.A. Parvaze]

But, I like the current DC logo... :hrm:

[Adam Chapman]

I don't think I'm really that much of a fan of the new logo... I kind of liked the old one more. :p

[S.A. Parvaze]

So DC will be selling dishsoap now? :rolleyes:

[Ricochet_za]

Ok, time for my moan.

It's just another money making stunt. Do we as comic readers REALLY care what the logo on the outside looks like. Come on DC, spend the time and effort on producing the absolute best comics, movies, etc. Fine, it is a business I agree, but here are my arguments.

But before I get to those, let me moan about Marvel as well. DC is also guilty of this, but to a slightly lesser extent:
There is no need to give a single character multiple titles!! How many X-Rippoffs and bad Batman spin-offs are there floating around. Please, instead of giving us bat nipples and Arnie as Mr. Freeze (whick for me is in the exact same vein as stuffing around with the logo), lets get some quality.

The other argument for this (aside from the fact that it is designed to increase publicity and hence revenue), is that too few people, especially kids, read comics. Well, I am not surprised. As a casual reader, you want to buy a Spidey comic. So which one? Amazing, Spectaculr, Ultimate, Spider-man, Peter Parker etc. This is not making it easier.

So here is the plan:
1) Give each character only ONE book. If he/she is a megastar, then have them in a team book as well.
2) Let the universes make SENSE. If it happens in a book, it should flow over to other books.
3) Use QUALITY artists and writers. Nothing is more annoying than spending big dosh (and let's face it - comics are expensive) on a badly drawn or written book. Finr, I can live with wierd art in a really good story, buit WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO!
4) Stop wasting time and effort with crap like company logos and put it into the things that consumers want!

Thats the real way to keep and grow your customer base DC!!!

[Blake Petit]

I'm used to the classic DC bullet, but I kinda like the new logo. It's not really a big deal -- just about every company changes their logo and image from time to time. Remember when Pepsi made a big deal about changing up their can design? And look at Marvel books over a period of time -- Fantastic Four #100 to #150 to #200 to #250 to #300 to #400 to #500. You'll see how the cover designs have changed, including the corporate logo. Really, no biggie. As long as the interior of the books are as good as they've been the last few years (and continually getting better) I'll be happy as a clam.

[cv_otaku]

Sure I'm going to miss the bullet, but they had to change it at some point. I just kind of wish they wouldn't have waited twenty years to do it. Let me clarify:

As someone said before, Marvel usually changes their format every two to three years. This way, no one ever gets used to it. Then, when they choose to change it again, no one complains.

DC has had the four-starred bullet for at least twenty years. We've grown to know it and identify comics we enjoy by it. So, what happens when they choose to change it? We all call for the logo-designer's head.

So which method is better? Well, IMHO, I like the marvel way. When I go to buy a Marvel book, I know it's a Marvel book by the title, not the logo. It's just gonna be too odd to go to the comic store and think I'm looking at a different publisher publishing Batman.

Of course, I'm sure I'll get used to the new logo in twenty or so years.

[Blake Petit]

Hey, we're not all calling for heads. I rather like the new logo.

[cv_otaku]

Sorry, I guess I should have said "All of us stuck in our ways, change-hating fans" :)

In truth, I really don't mind the new logo. I sure am gonna miss the old bullet though.

[WhereIsTony]

1) Give each character only ONE book. If he/she is a megastar, then have them in a team book as well.
2) Let the universes make SENSE. If it happens in a book, it should flow over to other books.
3) Use QUALITY artists and writers. Nothing is more annoying than spending big dosh (and let's face it - comics are expensive) on a badly drawn or written book. Finr, I can live with wierd art in a really good story, buit WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO!
4) Stop wasting time and effort with crap like company logos and put it into the things that consumers want!

Thats the real way to keep and grow your customer base DC!!!
1. I see no problem giving a character more than one title. If done well it gives fans more options.

Imagine if last year Action comics had bbeen the only superman

I don't like when one char is on 4 teams because it makes me wonder why his other teamates are so lazy.

2. I am all for the universe making sense and some writer (Austen, Jones, and such) should have someone point out to them when they are violaing continuity. But I don't want to go back to the days where I did not understand what was going on in spiderman because I didn't follow the recent wolverine events.

3. I feel quality has improved in both art and writing over the last few years sure there are exceptions but different strokes for different folks

4. a logo change is not really a bad thing. Shakes things up a bit. Not a huge deal and I doubt D.C. wasted alot of time on this