Batman

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


1956–1958	1958–1960	1960–1964	1964–1969	1969–2000 (comics), 1969-present	1987–1993


2000–2011, 2018–present	2011–2016	2014	2016–2018	2019	2022–present

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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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

1956–1958[]

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

1958–1960[]

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[]

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

1964–1969[]

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.

1969–2000 (comics), 1969-present[]

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.

The Dark Knight Returns (miniseries) 1986[]

Designer:

Frank Miller

Typography:

Custom

Launched:

February, 1986

In 1986, Frank Miller helped revive Batman's darker roots with his 1986 story-line, The Dark Knight Returns.

1987–1993[]

Designer:

Norm Breyfogle

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[]

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.

New 52 2011–2016[]

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.

2014[]

Designer:

Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason

Typography:

none

Launched:

September, 2014

This logo was designed by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason and was debuted in Batman and Robin Vol 2 #33. The logo was also reused as Red Hood (Jason Todd)'s chest symbol.

Rebirth 2016–2018[]

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.

Superman: Year One (limited series) 2019[]

Designer:

Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.

Typography:

Custom

Launched:

August, 2019

In 2019, Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr. designed this logo for Superman: Year One.

2022–present[]

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.

Batman

1939[]

1939–1941[]

1941–1944[]

1944–1946[]

1946–1950[]

1950–1956[]

1956–1958[]

1958–1960[]

1960–1964[]

1964–1969[]

1969–2000 (comics), 1969-present[]

The Dark Knight Returns (miniseries) 1986[]

1987–1993[]

2000–2011; 2018–present[]

New 52 2011–2016[]

2014[]

Rebirth 2016–2018[]

Superman: Year One (limited series) 2019[]

2022–present[]

References[]