June 1976: More Marvel Comics Cover Logos!

Doug: Welcome back to our second of three looks at the cover logos that appeared on our favorite Marvel mags in the summer of 1976. Today, again alphabetically, we'll look at several covers and give our opinions on the fonts, lettering style, and of course the corner boxes.

Doug: Leading off this time is Marvel's flagship title, the Fantastic Four. What we're looking at here is the third logo that appeared on the cover, and debuting in FF #160 (July 1975) and lasting to FF #218 when the original logo returned. This logo is "my" logo, as it was on the covers during most of the time I was buying comics -- until I went on hiatus during my high school years. I really like the font, and I'm a sucker for italics -- as I said last time, it just adds a dynamism to the lettering. I also really like the headshots, even though they are in place of the standard corner box.

Karen: This is where we part ways, Doug! I liked the logo that preceded this one; in fact, after the old Avengers logo, it's probably my favorite. I also loved the old corner box with a charging Bashful Benjy!

Doug: Ghost Rider is the third sort of creepy title we've looked at (following Marvel Chillers and Doctor Strange), and it's no less creepy than those that have come before. Great font choice on "Ghost", and the wispy box that surrounds the lettering is very atmospheric -- they wanted to get a message across and I think they did. Additionally, the more modern look to "Rider" sets us up that maybe this isn't a horror title. And you simply cannot beat the corner box. Great art and it definitely shows the prospective buyer what's in store.

Karen: You're right, visually, the logo and corner box are great. That's sort of how I've always felt about the character too; visually great, but never got drawn in by the stories.

Doug: This is a tricky one to comment on, as it has all of the additional text on it due to the anniversary that was celebrated this issue. But, since I was sticking to a given month, it's what we have to work with. I think one of the more interesting concepts here is the obscuring of the title by artwork and other lettering. If you're not aware, way back when Neal Adams was in the midst of his fantastic collaboration with Roy Thomas on the X-Men, a few of Neal's cover proposals were rejected because art covered the cover logo; management was afraid consumers wouldn't be able to identify the issue. Certainly what we have here isn't all that extreme, but it did jog that memory for me. Anyway, about the only comment I'd make on the logo here is that it's big -- and since the Hulk is an overtly large character I guess that's appropriate. But it really doesn't excite me all that much. Of course my prejudice against this magazine (just never got into it) might be a factor...

Karen: Yeah, fairly unexciting logo. You know, I used to read Hulk regularly as a kid, but really can't recall any great storylines or feel much sense of enthusiasm for the book now. I may have to go back and reread some titles and see how they hold up.

Doug: Ah, the Inhumans. How I wanted to like their book. And how I didn't care for Gil Kane's pencils!! The Perez issues were a blast, but as a kid I was never into Kane's nose upshots. I've learned to appreciate his work now that I'm a "grown-up", but it ruined many a comics-reading experience for me as a waif. I like the corner box art, which I think hearkens back to Jack Kirby. The title, however, is about as uninspired as The Champions.

Karen: Blah. About as much effort was put into that logo as it was making the book a success -that is to say, very little. They never seemed to get a fair shake, although I enjoyed the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams Inhumans stories in Amazing Adventures. And hey - "the most uncanny heroes of all"? Shouldn't that be the X-Men?

Doug: Since the name "Iron Fist" has to do with a fist that is hard as iron and not with iron itself, I'm a little unclear as to why art director John Romita approved a logo that had rivets on it. Works for the next guy, seems sort of dumb here. Killer corner box, though!

Karen: You are absolutely right - that's pretty hilarious now that you point it out!

Doug: One of Marvel's top logos. Ever. It's just perfect.

Doug: Now I hope you don't call me a hypocrite, because there's not a heckuva lot of difference between the Ka-Zar logo and the Inhumans logo just a couple of images above. But this one works great for me. It's the same 3-D view of the lettering, with wording on the left side of the block. But the font is just rugged enough, and the additional coloring at the bottom of the letters gives off a dirty, or rustic, or even vegetation-type of look. This logo does what it's supposed to -- it tells me that this is an adventure book. And help me out -- is Zabu the only animal to get his spot in the corner box in the Silver or Bronze Ages?

Karen: You're not crazy or a hypocrite Doug - I feel the same way about this logo! This one looks like it was carved from stone and has an appropriately primitive feel to it. I think Zabu must have been the only animal to be featured in the corner -I don't recall Redwing or Lockjaw getting their own spots. Maybe some of the western comics might have had horses - but they probably were being ridden.

Doug: This was one of my favorite arcs of the Bronze Age! Beginning in Invaders #5 and running through this issue, the four issues were really fun! This logo, like the Captain America logo we discussed last time, is perfect -- patriotic, the right color scheme, and in spite of the rather bland font it works. Hey, the 1940's were a simpler time and this logo honors that. The Marvel Premiere logo isn't bad, either, but I was glad to see this Liberty Legion story when I was culling covers for this post.

Karen: I'm fond of this one too, for the same reasons as you. I need to replace these issues -they were in the box that disappeared when I was moving years ago.

Doug: I think we remarked last time that some of these logos could be done by any shmoe with a computer and WordArt. This one fits that bill, but you know what? I like it. I think the way the word "Guardians" is arched gives off a protective vibe. And isn't that what these guys (and gal) were all about? Love the corner box, too. Even though it's the same motif as the Dr. Strange art that I didn't like (main character, profile of the right side of the head), this group shot is nice. Yondu's fin is cool! Oh, and the Marvel Presents logo -- meh...

Karen: I like the corner box art (Romita?) but don't care much for the logos themselves.