What does all of this tell us about Comic Sans? Well, it’s the story of a font that is simply misunderstood.The name Comic Sans hails its origin from the lettering styles used in Comic Books and since it’s a sans serif font, it gets the name “Comic Sans. The site even lists alternative comic book fonts that you can use. “ Comic Sans Criminal,” for example, explains the humble origins of the font as well as its incorrect use. The “Ban Comic Sans” website has since died, but there are still movements against it out there today. Dave Gibbons, an artist who worked on Watchmen, said, “I think it’s a particularly ugly letter form.” The comic book artist responsible for the inspiration for the font has even weighed in. For example, a “Do Not Enter” sign in Comic Sans sends mixed signals. The duo’s main argument against Comic Sans is that the typeface often doesn’t convey the emotion of the message. In 1999, still early on in the life of Comic Sans, two Indianapolis graphic designers created a website titled “Ban Comic Sans.” The movement was started when an employer insisted that they use Comic Sans on a museum exhibit. You see, the people who hate Comic Sans don’t just avoid using it, they’ve organized a whole movement against it. The hate for Comic Sans far surpasses any other font. Of course, anything that’s widely used will have its detractors, and Comic Sans is certainly no exception. There are only so many built-in fonts to choose from, and Comic Sans clearly stands out from the formal fonts. It’s the font of choice when people are trying to convey a message as friendly and casual. Comic Sans isn’t as stiff and formal as Arial, yet it’s still very easy to read.Īll of this has contributed to Comic Sans’ popularity. Many script fonts are more elaborate with connecting lines and providing extra flair. Microsoft describes Comic Sans as “casual but legible.” Legibility is an important characteristic of Comic Sans. While it’s also referred to as “script,” it’s non-connecting, meaning that the letters don’t connect like they might in real-world handwriting. Technically speaking, Comic Sans is categorized as a sans-serif typeface. The lettering is meant to mimic the handwritten text that’s often seen in comic books. So what gives it that distinct look?Īs previously mentioned, Vincent Connare was inspired by comic books, which is where the “Comic” in Comic Sans comes from. Many people who have no experience with graphic design can instantly spot it. Why Does Comic Sans Look Like That?Ĭomic Sans is one of the most identifiable fonts on the planet. Nowadays, Comic Sans is installed as a default font on the majority of computers worldwide. He couldn’t predict how popular it would be.
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It was later included as one of the default fonts in the standard version of Windows 95.Ĭonnare says that he never expected Comic Sans to be used in applications that weren’t intended for children. Comic Sans was one of the bundled fonts that came with the pack.
Microsoft Plus! was an optional service pack that included additional games, themes, and programs for Windows 95. (You can see Comic Sans in a speech bubble at 2:48)
It was later downgraded to only the pop-up windows and help sections, but by then, Windows had already been infected with Comic Sans.
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Microsoft 3D Movie Maker was launched in 1995, with Comic Sans as the font for the speech bubbles. It was designed for children, and Comic Sans was a perfect fit. Microsoft 3D Movie Maker also used cartoon guides who spoke with speech bubbles. Comic Sans’ Big BreakĬomic Sans missed the boat on Bob, but the programmers of another Microsoft product took notice. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready in time to be included with Microsoft Bob in August of 1995. That’s right, Comic Sans was created on a Mac.
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Upon seeing the ill-fitted Times New Roman in Bob, Connare pulled out two comic books that he had in his office, The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen.Ĭonnare based Comic Sans off of the lettering in these two comic books, and within a week, he had finished the font, having drawn it on his Mac computer. The inspiration for Comic Sans’ design has been hiding in plain sight all along.
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