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This page only shows primary logo variants.
For other related logos and images, see:
1939 1939–1941 1941–1944 1944–1946 1946–1950 1950–1956
1939 1939–1941 1941–1944 1944–1946 1946–1950 1950–1956
1956–1958 1958–1960 1960–1964 1964–1969 1969–present 1987–1993
1956–1958 1958–1960 1960–1964 1964–1969 1969–present 1987–1993
2000–2011, 2018–present 2011–2016 2016–2018 2022–present
2000–2011, 2018–present 2011–2016 2016–2018 2022–present

1939[]

Batman-1939
Designer:  Bob Kane
Bill Finger
Typography:  none
Launched:  March 30, 1939

When Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, the logo on his chest was simply designed as a pair of wings without any head and with five wing points along the bottom (although the amount varied from panel to panel). This logo only lasted one issue, being the most short-lived design used by the character, although it did make a quick cameo in the 2017 animated film, Batman vs. Two-Face.

1939–1941[]

Batman-(1939-65)
Designer:  Bob Kane
Typography:  none
Launched:  June, 1939

In Detective Comics #28, the logo got an update; the wings became sharper and the head plus the ears of the bat were added for the first time. Two more wing points were also added at the bottom (although it was still occasionally drawn with five, seven became the standard for years before another update in 1941).

1941–1944[]

Batman 1941

The Batman symbol went through a series of transformations throughout its early years, with DC’s artists constantly altering and tweaking many of its most basic design elements. In 1941, the bat wings became more stylized and angular, while the head receded slightly. The wing points along the bottom went back down to five, and became longer and sharper.

1944–1946[]

Batman 1944

Over the next years, the bat gradually widened in size. During this time, the points below the wings had a tendency to waver between five and nine, depending on when the comic issue was released.

1946–1950[]

Batman 1946

In 1946, the wings became a little less angular, the head became a little more prominent and the number of wing points along the bottom was reduced to five once again. The bat also started to resemble to its modern design. The bat was also reused as Batgirl's chest symbol in both the Silver Age and Bronze Age comics.

1950–1956[]

Batman 1950

In 1950, the bat grew in size and the top of the wings became more rounded.

1956–1958[]

Batman 1956

In 1956, the logo reverted to a compacted and triangular version of the earlier bat.

1958–1960[]

Batman 1958

In 1958, the logo had a drastic redesign; the bat became thinner with long, sharp wing points and slightly raising the height of the head.

1960–1964[]

Batman 1960

The logo went back to the bulkier aesthetic in 1960, albeit slightly modified.

1964–1969[]

Batman 1964
Designer:  Carmine Infantino
Typography:  none
Launched:  March 26, 1964

In Detective Comics #327, the artist Carmine Infantino did a minor change to the bat, making the wings less angular and wider and the ears a bit shorter. He also added the iconic yellow-ellipse for the first time.

It has been speculated that the ellipse was added to make the logo easier to trademark (just like with
Wayne Boring's Superman logo from 1944), but according to the editor at that time Julius Schwartz, the only goal was to unveil a "New Look" for Batman to more easly distinguish the Silver Age era of the hero from what came before. Ironically, a similar logo was seen in a crossover with Superman in World´s Finest #141 a little before Detective Comics #327 was published. This logo was used during the rest of the Silver Age era.

1969–present[]

Batman Logo
Designer:  Neal Adams
Typography:  none
Launched:  November 26, 1969

In Detective Comics #395, artist Neal Adams along with the writer Dennis O'Neil, revitalized the character with a series of noteworthy stories reestablishing Batman's dark, brooding nature. Therefore, Adams reimagined the logo, making the bat wings spread out and fill the ellipse, as well as tweaking the design of the head. Eventually, this would become the most recognizable and longest-lived logo used by the character.

It was used during the Bronze Age and Post-Crisis/Modern Age era of DC Comics, with a total of 30-years run until it was discontinued in 2000. Despite the fact that this logo is no longer used in the comics (although it returned occasionally in recent years like in Doomsday Clock #3 and Detective Comics #1041) it can still be seen in other media, mostly in merchandise.

1987–1993[]

Batman 1987
Designer:  Norm Breyfogle's
Typography:  none
Launched:  Unknown

Another yellow-ellipsed logo was used in tandem during Norm Breyfogle's run as a regular artist on Batman.

2000–2011; 2018–present[]

Batman (2000)
Designer:  Dale Eaglesham
Typography:  none
Launched:  March, 2000

After more than 3 decades of use, the yellow-ellipse was removed when the new millennium arrived. This logo is shaped like the previous logos, except for the fact that the top the wings are more pointy and curved. It debuted in Batman: Gotham Knights and was used for 11 years until it was replaced when New 52 was released in 2011.

In Batman (Vol. 3) #53, Batman returned to his classic suit reviving this logo after more than 7 years of disuse.

The logo was also used as Batgirl's chest symbol in both the New 52 era and in Rebirth.

2011–2016[]

Batman 2011
Designer:  Jim Lee
Typography:  none
Launched:  August 31, 2011

After the events of Flashpoint, the DC Universe was once again rebooted, with the continuity of Batman's franchise changed completely. A new version of Batman debuted in Justice League (Volume 2) #1, with this logo on his chest. It was used during the New 52 era of DC Comics, until it was concluded in 2016.

2016–2018[]

Batman 2016
Designer:  Greg Capullo
Typography:  none
Launched:  June 8, 2016

Contrary to Superman and Wonder Woman, Batman didn't bring back the classic logo when Rebirth was released. Instead, a new logo was unveiled, in which the wings are more elongated, the head of bat is no longer visible, the ears are pointing to each other and an orange border was added (possibly as a replacement of the yellow-ellipse).

This logo only lasted two years until it was reverted to the 2000 logo in 2018.

2022–present[]

Batman (1989)

This logo is currently used only in the Batman/Superman World's Finest comic book series. It's the same exact as the one seen in Michael Keaton's costume from the 1989 film.

References[]

  1. https://visual.ly/community/infographic/entertainment/75-years-batman-evolution-batman-logo
  2. https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/history-of-the-batman-symbol.html/
  3. https://www.zonanegativa.com/batman-new-look-1964-1969/(Spanish)
  4. https://boundingintocomics.com/2018/08/15/batman-53-review/
  5. https://logaster.com/blog/batman-logo/
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