DC Studios

Background

1st Logo (1996-2005)

Nicknames: "The DC Stamp", "The DC Bullet"

Logo: Against either a black or white background, we see the corporate DC Comics logo in various color schemes, such as blue, black, orange, or gold.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. It has hardly been seen on films or television, but appears on numerous games based on Batman (where it was first seen in 1996), Catwoman, Justice League, and Superman franchises until 2005.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (June 10, 2005-March 16, 2013)

Nicknames: "Dots", "The Star DC"

Logo: On a black background, we see a shining wall full of blue dots. As we zoom out, we see a close-up of someone's eye, (possibly) the Joker grinning menacingly, and a man getting punched. As the camera finishes zooming out, the letters "DC" are formed by the dots. A shooting star forms around the letters, and the words "DC COMICS" appear below the logo. The words and logo also zoom out slowly before fading out.

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.
On some video games, no text is used.
At the end of some shows, the logo is still.
On Smallville from season 5-10, the short-lived Human Target, and various DC animated movies, the logo is shortened to the text shining.

FX/SFX: The comic panels, the star and letters coming into place; courtesy of Imaginary Forces.

Music/Sounds: A triumphant fanfare, the opening theme of the movie, or silence. Smallville (season 5 and beyond) has the beginning of the 2003 Warner Bros. Television theme before going to said logo.

Music/Sounds Variant: On Superman Returns, we hear some whooshing noises, plus some chuckling and a punching sound.

Availability: Common. Appears on DC-licensed products from 2005-13. First used on the film Batman Begins and last appeared on Green Lantern. Also appears on animated direct-to-video movies from Superman: Brainiac Attacks to Superman vs. The Elite. Unfortunately retired in mid-2012 due to legal issues.

Editor's Note: None.

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

Nicknames: "Dual Identity", "Peeling D"

Logo: We see the then-new DC Comics logo, which shows a solid blue "D" letter, the edge peeled to reveal a white "C" behind. The name is arranged like this:

DC COMICS

FROM DC ENTERTAINMENT

Trivia: This logo was designed to represent the dual identity trope of the superhero genre, one identity peeling back to reveal the other.

Variants:

A list of custom variants were used, depending on the film or TV show.
On the Robot Chicken DC Comics specials, the "C" letter shows Superman and Aquaman as they appear in the specials instead of a white background.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None, or the opening theme of the movie, or on TV series, the show's closing theme.

Music/Sounds Variant: On the Robot Chicken (DC Comics) variant, Superman (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).

Availability: Common. Seen on DC-licensed products from 2012-16. The first movie to use this logo was The Dark Knight Rises. Also appeared 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. The last movie to use this logo was Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It was 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".

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (June 30, 2016-)

Arrow variant
The Flash variant
Gotham variant
Supergirl variant
Superman and Lois variant
Batwoman variant
Sweet Tooth variant
Legends of Tomorrow variant
Suicide Squad variant

Nicknames: "The Return of the DC Bullet", "Simple DC Bullet", "Simple DC Stamp", "The DC Bullet II", "The DC Stamp II", "The DC Circle"

Logo: On a black background, we see a blue circle with two stylized letters ("D" and "C") in it.

FX/SFX: It's a still logo, and it Looks very simple, yet nostalgic.

Music/Sounds: The show's closing theme.

Availability: Common on DC-licensed products from 2016-onward. Seen on the Teen Titans Go! episodes beginning with The Powerpuff Girls (reboot) crossover special "TTG v PPG" (the logo's first appearance) and Justice League Action! on Cartoon Network. The first movie to use this logo was Suicide Squad. Also shown on direct-to-video films starting with Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

Editor's Note: None.

5th Logo (May 25, 2017- )

Nickname: "The DC Extended Universe"

Logo: We first see 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 from before, but shinier.

Variants:

On Reign of the Supermen, The Death of Superman, and Justice League vs. The Fatal Five, an extended version of the logo is used.
On Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, the characters are drawn in the TTG! style.
On Aquaman, the logo appears underwater.
A still version appears at the end of Joker.
The logo is in 4:3 in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

FX/SFX: It's all fantastic CGI.

Music/Sounds: A dramatic fanfare, but it mostly uses the opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Current. Was first seen on Wonder Woman, and has since appeared on various DC productions.

Editor's Note: It's a big improvement compared to the previous logos, and is a favorite among DC fans, mainly due to demonstrating the expansiveness of the DC brand.