DC Studios

Main Logo Variations Trailer Variations

DC Entertainment
Founded:	September 9, 2009 (15 years ago)
Location:	United States
Parent:	Warner Bros. Discovery
Subsidiaries:	DC Universe Infinite Wildstorm

Background

DC Studios, formerly known as DC Entertainment is the production arm of DC Comics. The company is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment that manages its DC units and intellectual property (characters) in other units as they work with other Warner Bros. units. It also delves into those units within the DC Universe (DCU), formerly the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Contents 1st Logo (1996-2005) 2nd Logo (May 31, 2005-March 16, 2013) 3rd Logo (July 16, 2012-June 23, 2016) 4th Logo (DCTV custom logo) (September 22, 2014-) 5th Logo (June 30, 2016-) 6th Logo (June 2, 2017-) 7th Logo (July 26, 2024-)

Unused Logos

Contents Inkdot (2012) Board (2012) Prologue Concept (2016?) Graphic (2016?) Origin (2016?) Rivers (2016?)

1st Logo (1996-2005)

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Visuals: Against a black or white background is the corporate DC Comics "DC bullet" logo (used from 1977-2005) in various color schemes, such as blue, black, orange, or gold.

Variant: On Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, the logo is red.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None.

Availability: It has hardly been seen on films or television series, but appears on numerous games based on the company's Batman, Catwoman, Justice League, and Superman franchises from 1996 to 2005.

2nd Logo (May 31, 2005-March 16, 2013)

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Visuals: On a black background is a shining wall full of blue dots. As the screen zooms out, there is a close-up of someone's eye, the face of a character (possibly the Joker) with a menacing grin, and a man getting punched. As the camera finishes zooming out, the dots form the letters "DC" as a shooting star forms around them, and the words "DC COMICS" appear below the logo. The words and logo slowly zoom out before fading out.

Trivia:

• This logo was dubbed the "DC spin".
• According to this contemporary article, two major challenges in designing the logo were not making it too similar to the Marvel logo (also designed by Imaginary Forces) and to balance DC's request for a more "cinematic" logo than Marvel with still keeping a comic book aesthetic. These are the reasons why the logo chooses to abstain from showing full comic pages like Marvel before it, instead showcasing them through dots of light.

Variants:

• On some films like Superman Returns, Jonah Hex and Green Lantern, the last two images of the zoom-out portion are customized to reflect the film.
• A still version exists.
• On some video games and DC Showcase: Catwoman, no text is used.
• At the end of some shows, the logo is still.
• On the final five seasons of Smallville, The Science of Superman, the short-lived Human Target, various DC animated movies, and the Superman Returns game, the logo is shortened to the text shining.
• On all DC Showcase films, the logo fades into a poster in a comic book store, with the logos of Superman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Justice League Unlimited.

Technique: CGI done in Cinema 4D and Autodesk Maya, designed by Imaginary Forces. Directed by Charles Khoury, who would later direct the 2013 Marvel Studios logo.

Audio: A triumphant and heroic orchestral fanfare, composed by longtime DC Animated Universe music composers Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion and Lolita Ritmanis.

Audio Variants:

• Sometimes, the opening theme of the movie is heard, or silence.
• Smallville (Season 5 and beyond) has the beginning of the 2003 Warner Bros. Television theme before going to said logo.
• On Superman Returns, there is some whooshing noises, plus some chuckling and a punching sound.

Availability: This logo is seen on DC-licensed products from 2005-13.

• It was first used on the film Batman Begins and last appeared on Green Lantern.
• It is also seen on animated direct-to-video movies from Superman: Brainiac Attacks to Superman vs. The Elite.
• This logo was retired in mid-2012, due to legal issues with DC Shoes.

3rd Logo (July 16, 2012-June 23, 2016)

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Visuals: The then-new DC Comics logo, which shows a solid silver letter "D", the text "DC COMICS" below it, and the byline "FROM DC ENTERTAINMENT" below the company name, rises up and tilts to face the camera. While this happens, the "D"s edge is peeled to reveal a "C" under it. The "C"s color varies.

Trivia: This logo was designed by Landor Associates, and is meant to represent the dual identity trope of the superhero genre, one identity peeling back to reveal the other.

Variants:

• A still version, which was used more often, exists. Here, the "D" is blue and the rest of the logo is white.
• A list of custom variants were used, depending on the film or TV show.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None, or the opening theme of the movie.

Audio Variant: On some shows, the show's closing theme is used.

Audio Variants:

• On the Robot Chicken DC Comics specials, Superman (voiced by Breckin Meyer) says "Another job well done!" (a quote from a skit in the first special, where he used his "memory-erasing kiss" ability on his enemies, only to find them waiting for him with gifts at the Fortress of Solitude).
• On the pilot episode of The Flash, a synthesized whoosh sound is heard.
• On seasons 1-2 of Arrow, a sound of an arrow being shot is heard.

Availability: This logo is seen on DC-licensed products from 2012-16.

• The first movie to use this logo was The Dark Knight Rises, while the last was Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
• It is also seen on animated direct-to-video movies starting with the two-part Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and ending with Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants, along with the three Robot Chicken DC Comics specials.
• It is also seen on the short-lived Beware the Batman and the first few seasons of Teen Titans Go! on Cartoon Network until "Think About Your Future".

Legacy: This logo was widely criticized when it debuted, with the design considered a downgrade from the previous logo, as well as its animation, if any, being too simplistic. It was said to look more like a logo for a paper company than anything else.

4th Logo (DCTV custom logo) (September 22, 2014-)

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Visuals: Against a gradient or a superimposed background, there is the DC Comics logo that varies since.

Variants: See this page for variants.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Sound effects that correspond with the action, which varies from show to show.

Audio Variant: The Supergirl pilot has no music.

Availability:

• This logo is currently seen before the Warner Bros. Television logo or the Warner Horizon Television logo on every new TV series based on a DC Comics property, beginning with Gotham and on the third season of Arrow, The Flash, Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow, Lucifer (Seasons 5-6), Supergirl, Krypton, Pennyworth, and Batwoman.
• The first few variants (except Constantine) can be found on the DCTV's official YouTube account, on the video "DCTV - Logo Extravaganza!".
• It is used in tandem with the 3rd (until 2016), 5th and 6th logos.

Legacy: A favorite of fans of DC television programming.

5th Logo (June 30, 2016-)

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  Standard logo
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  Open matte variant
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  DC Films version
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  Teen Titans Go! variant
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Visuals: On a black background is a blue circle with the stylized letters "D" and "C" in it, similar to the 1972 DC Comics logo.

Trivia: This logo was designed by Pentagram.

Variants:

• The logo is often modified to fit the show's style.
• At the beginning of Teen Titans Go! starting with Season 5, there is the Cartoon Network logo on a pink background. Beast Boy (voiced by Greg Cipes, in bird form) appears. As he approaches, he turns back into his normal self, covering up the entire logo. After that, he transforms into various animals before transforming into a green DC logo, which then roars at the screen.
• Starting with DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock, the logo fades into a poster in a comic book store, with the logos of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Young Justice, Teen Titans Go! and Harley Quinn.
• An open matte version exists.
• A split-screen version is sometimes seen when Teen Titans Go! is aired on Cartoon Network.
• On Superpowered: The DC Story, the logo zooms in and then stops.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None, the movie's opening theme or the show's closing theme.

Availability: It appears on DC-licensed products from 2016-onward.

• Seen on Teen Titans Go! beginning with the The Powerpuff Girls (2016 reboot) crossover special "TTG v PPG" (the logo's first appearance) and Justice League Action! on Cartoon Network.
• On movies, this logo is rarely used (in favor of the next logo), but it was seen on Suicide Squad (2016) and The Batman (2022).
• It's also shown on direct-to-video films starting with Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.
• Currently in tandem with the 4th and 6th logos.

Legacy: This logo is considered by many to be a return to form and a great homage to the 1977 logo.

6th Logo (June 2, 2017-)

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Visuals: The logo starts with the members of the Justice League (in order of appearance: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, The Flash, Green Lantern), which then transitions to multiple DC characters standing together. Everything zooms out to reveal the DC logo with a shiny texture.

Trivia: The imagery is based on comic book artist Alex Ross's artwork on DC Comics, particularly the "Kingdom Come" comic. The logo sequence itself was storyboarded by Gabe Crate.

Variants:

• On the direct-to-video films Reign of the Supermen, The Death of Superman, Justice League vs. The Fatal Five, and Injustice, an extended version of the logo is used where each scene is drawn out longer.
• A still version appears at the end of Joker and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Either none or the opening theme of the movie. Sometimes, various sound effects are heard throughout the logo.

Audio Variant: On Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (albeit using a custom variant), it uses a dramatic orchestral fanfare, composed by Jared Faber.

Availability: It first appeared on Wonder Woman (2017) and later appeared on various DC productions since. Used in tandem with the fourth, fifth, and seventh logos.

Legacy: It's a favorite among DC fans, mainly due to demonstrating the expansiveness of the DC brand.

7th Logo (July 26, 2024-)

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Visuals: On a tan background, a classically-styled Superman, trapped within a yellow circle by chains, zooms out. He breaks his chains and strikes a pose. The circle flips over with visible "whoosh" lines, revealing the classic DC "bullet" design in a blue gradient. The blue text "STUDIOS" flips in below it letter-by-letter.

Trivia: According to Peter Safran in this article from the Hollywood Reporter, this logo is inspired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and is intentionally simpler and not as busy as the logo for Marvel Studios.

Variants:

• On the teaser trailer for Creature Commandos, the logo is still and superimposed over the beginning of the trailer.
• On Batman: Caped Crusader, the logo is on a blue gradient background and the text "STUDIOS" is absent.

Technique: 2D computer animation in the style of Superman creator Joe Shuster's artwork.

Audio: A drumroll for the Superman sequence, followed by a 6-note heroic theme with the reveal of the logo.

Audio Variant: On Batman: Caped Crusader, the logo is silent.

Availability: Was revealed at San-Diego Comic Con on July 26, 2024, where the animated logo was shown. The first true appearance of the logo was on the teaser trailer for Creature Commandos released on the same day. According to this IGN article on the rebrand, the first film to use this logo will be Superman (2025). It was actually first used on Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024). It later appeared on Batman: Caped Crusader and The Penguin, albeit as variants.

Legacy: The return of the beloved "bullet" logo, not just in DC Studios but across the entire DC brand, created a lot of positive buzz online, with many proclaiming that they had missed the logo.

Unused Logos

Inkdot (2012)

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Visuals: The camera zooms into an image of Batman, right down to the ink dots. Those ink dots rise up from the paper to form various shapes (the Superman shield, the Bat insigia, Batman himself) before forming into the D that covers the C logo.

Trivia: The logo is a precursor to the 3rd DC Comics logo used.

Technique: CGI by Matt Hartle.

Availability: Can only be seen in the form of style frames on Paul Hartle's website here.

Board (2012)

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Visuals: A group of long, blue, cylindrical bars rise up and glow, forming various comic-book illustration stills. These include a male eye, a close-up of a supervillain, and a portion of a comic book cover. The bars would flash and quickly soar off to form the next close-up for each illustration before the screen zooms out and they form the 2012 DC logo.

Trivia:

• Like the above, the logo is also a precursor to the 3rd DC Comics logo used.
• The logo is a call-back to the 2nd DC Comics logo.

Technique: CGI by Matt Hartle, who also did the previous logo.

Availability: Can only be seen in the form of style frames on Paul Hartle's website here.

Prologue Concept (2016?)

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Visuals: Against a dark background, the screen zooms out of the Superman logo glowing in Superman's chest, with his eyes shooting red laser beams. The camera flies to Wonder Woman's chest while she crosses her arms to avoid a projectile. Then, a close-up of the Flash runs, and the screen zooms out to Green Lantern's ring shooting a beam while his fist is clenched. The screen then zooms out again to Batman flying on a blue-tinted background with flying debris. The logo zooms out to the debris as it reveals the then-current DC Comics logo.

Technique: CGI by Prologue. It can be seen on their website.

Audio: A triumphant orchestral fanfare.

Availability: Unused. Since DC rebranded its look in mid-2016, it was never seen on any DC-licensed products. The only way it can be viewed is on Prologue's Vimeo page.

Graphic (2016?)

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Visuals: Various superhuman symbols (Superman's, Batman's, which becomes the Bat-Signal, Wonder Woman, and the Green Lantern) appear in black-and-white ink, surrounded by motion lines, which all lead to the same DC logo used in the Prologue prototype, but in black and white. The logo then turns to color.

Trivia: The logo is based on Frank Miller's art style.

Technique: CGI by Michael Daniels at Devastudios.

Audio: Unknown, as only style frames are available.

Availability: Can only be seen in the form of style frames on Michael Daniels' website here.

Origin (2016?)

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Visuals: Matter is formed from thin air, first becoming ground and gravel, then forming into pencil lead-like shapes, then black ink. Blue ink splashes across the gravel to form the 2016 DC logo, which zooms out.

Trivia: The logo is meant to represent the three main stages of a comic (pencil, ink, color) forming a cosmos.

Technique: CGI by Michael Daniels at Devastudios.

Audio: Unknown, as only style frames are available.

Availability: Can only be seen in the form of style frames on Michael Daniels' website here.

Rivers (2016?)

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Visuals: Flows of blue and red-orange energy crisscross, illuminating various heroes and landscapes, and form the 2016 DC logo in a stormy light. The light fades, turning the logo blue.

Trivia: The logo is based on the existing DC Comics 52 Multiverse, and is meant to showcase the different realities as rivers leading to the source.

Technique: CGI by Michael Daniels at Devastudios.

Audio: Unknown, as only style frames are available.

Availability: Can only be seen in the form of style frames on Michael Daniels' website here.

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