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{{short description|Sans-serif typeface by Microsoft}} | |||
{{About||the 2018 film|Comic Sans (film){{!}}''Comic Sans'' (film)|the TV episode|Comic Sans (Orange Is the New Black){{!}}Comic Sans (''Orange Is the New Black'')}} | |||
{{unreliable sources|date=June 2018}} | |||
{{Infobox font | {{Infobox font | ||
| name = Comic Sans | | name = Comic Sans MS | ||
| image = |
| image = ComicSansSpec3.svg | ||
| style = ] |
| style = ] | ||
| creationdate = {{start date and age|1994|10}} | |||
| date = ] | |||
| releasedate = | |||
| creator = ] | | creator = ] | ||
| foundry = ] | | foundry = ] | ||
| latin = yes | |||
| greek = yes | |||
| cyrillic = yes | |||
| sample = ] | |||
}} | }} | ||
<!-- Please don't change the page font to Comic Sans -->'''Comic Sans MS''' (most commonly referred to as '''Comic Sans''') is a ] ] created and designed by ] and released by ] in 1994. Designed as a non-connecting script, the ] draws inspiration from ] lettering, to emulate the informal and cartoonish tone of ]. It was originally developed for use in Microsofts software, and since then has become very widely recognized for its use in casual contexts such as children's books, personal documentation and in educational resources.<ref name="How we made the typeface Comic Sans">{{cite web|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|last2=Connare|first2=Vincent|last3=Stephens|first3=Tom|title=How we made the typeface Comic Sans|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/mar/28/how-we-made-font-comic-sans-typography|website=]|date=28 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328232342/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/mar/28/how-we-made-font-comic-sans-typography|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
'''Comic Sans''' is a digital ] designed by ] and released in 1994, by the ]. It is classified as a casual, non-connecting script, and was designed to imitate ] lettering, for casual use in informal documents. The typeface has shipped with ] since the introduction of ], initially as a supplemental font in the ]. It has since become one of the most popular Windows system fonts. Comic Sans is used in both ] and ]s as a substitute for hand-lettering, although many comic artists prefer to use custom-designed computer fonts instead. | |||
The ] was first introduced with ] as a part of the ], and was later implemented into ] as a comic styled chat application. Since then, ] has described the ] as "casual and legible" and a ] which has garnered much popularity across a diverse set of user groups.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://web.nickshanks.com/typography/font-descriptions|title=Typeface Descriptions & Histories|work=nickshanks.com|access-date=24 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424000832/http://web.nickshanks.com/typography/font-descriptions|archive-date=24 April 2015}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
] | |||
Microsoft designer ] says that he began work on Comic Sans in October of ]. Connare had already created a number of child-oriented fonts for various applications, so when he saw a beta version of ] that used ] in the ]s of cartoon characters, he decided to create a new face based on the lettering style of comic books he had in his office. He completed the face too late for inclusion in MS Bob, but the programmers of ], which also used cartoon guides and speech bubbles, picked it up. The speech eventually became true voice, but Comic Sans stayed for the program’s ]s and help sections. The typeface later shipped with the ]. It then became a standard font for the ] version of ]. Finally, the font became one of the default fonts for ] and Microsoft ]. The font is also used in ], which was released in 1996 with Internet Explorer 3.0. | |||
Comic Sans has however become a cultural phenomenon, gaining significant criticism and mockery due to its perceived over usage and misuse in professional and formal settings.<ref name="bbc-comicsans">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11582548|title=What's so wrong with Comic Sans?|access-date=2010-10-21|date=2010-10-20|work=]|publisher=]|archive-date=2010-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021045027/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11582548|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, the font continues to hold a devoted fan base, particularly among education professionals and those in search of approachable and simplistic typefaces for specific uses. | |||
==Criticism== | |||
] | |||
Comic Sans has become the subject of a campaign by some ] to limit or eliminate its use, on the grounds that (as ] purists claim) it is poorly designed and that its inclusion in the Microsoft system fonts package lends itself to inappropriate use—for example, as a text face in documents or at large sizes in signage. | |||
== History == | |||
Some typeface designers say that the ] is poorly drawn, virtually equal weight being given to the downstrokes and horizontals, and little thought given to the ] between character pairs, eliminating any of the informal characteristics of true hand-drawn lettering. To take the face too seriously may be missing the point. With digital font-making software nearly anyone can make an alphabet that will technically function as a typeface. | |||
] | |||
=== Development and release === | |||
In his defense, Connare claims that it was not originally designed as a typeface, but as a solution to the problem of finding lettering suitable for the packaging of children’s software. An example of the informal nature of the font can be found in the ] ''(€)'', which in some versions has an “eye” cut out of the serif at the top, making the symbol appear to have something of a “face.” | |||
Microsoft designer ] began working on Comic Sans in 1994 after having already created other fonts for various applications. When he saw a beta version of ] that used ] in the ]s of its cartoon characters, he believed the ] gave the software an overly formal appearance. He believed this was inappropriate for the aesthetics of the program, which was created to introduce younger users to computers. In order to make ] look more suitable for its intended purposes, he decided to create a new typeface with only a mouse and cursor, based on the ] of comic books he had in his office, specifically '']'' (lettered by ]) and '']'' (lettered by ]).<ref name="wsj-ill-will">{{cite news | |||
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123992364819927171 | |||
| title = Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will | |||
| access-date = 2009-04-19 | |||
| date = 2009-04-17 | |||
| last = Steel | |||
| first = Emily | |||
| work = ] | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090420022303/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992364819927171.html?mod=googlenews_wsj | |||
| archive-date = 2009-04-20 | |||
| url-status = dead | |||
}}</ref> | |||
He completed Comic Sans too late for inclusion in ], and the ] would go unreleased until the programmers of ], which also used cartoon guides and speech bubbles, adopted it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techspot.com/trivia/41-now-world-most-hated-font-comic-sans-first/|title=Now the world's most hated font, Comic Sans was first used in what Microsoft product?|website=TechSpot|access-date=2019-10-03|archive-date=2019-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003031337/https://www.techspot.com/trivia/41-now-world-most-hated-font-comic-sans-first/|url-status=live}}</ref> The speech bubbles were eventually phased out and replaced by actual sound, but Comic Sans stayed for the program's ]s and help sections. The ] later shipped with the ], and was the primary font of the Travel ]. It was later included as a system font for the ] versions of ]. Finally, it became one of the default fonts for ] and Microsoft ]. Comic Sans is also used in ], which was released in 1996 with ]. | |||
==Notable usages== | |||
* It was used as the font for the text inside the tags of ]. | |||
* It is the font used for the house style of ] literature and publicity. | |||
* It is used for the description on ] chocolate bars. | |||
* It is used in the liner notes of the CD reissues of the ] albums. | |||
Comic Sans is pre-installed in ] and ] but not ], ] or ].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Font Family Reunion: Comic Sans MS|url = http://fontfamily.io/Comic_Sans_MS|website = fontfamily.io|access-date = 2015-07-30|archive-date = 2015-08-27|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150827131149/http://fontfamily.io/Comic_Sans_MS|url-status = live}}</ref> Comic Sans can be manually downloaded on ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/fonts/system-fonts/|title=System Fonts - Fonts - Apple Developer|website=developer.apple.com}}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
* | |||
===Comic Sans Pro (2011)=== | |||
* | |||
Comic Sans Pro is an updated version of Comic Sans created by Terrance Weinzierl from Monotype Imaging. While retaining the original designs of the core characters, it expands the ] by adding new italic variants, in addition to ], ], extra ornaments and symbols including speech bubbles, onomatopoeia and ]s, as well as ] and other stylistic alternatives.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110331006826/en/Comic-Sans-Pro-Typeface-Family-Debut|title=Comic Sans Pro Typeface Family Makes its Debut – Comic Sans Pro Adds OpenType Features to Extend Versatility of Comic Sans and Inspire New Creativity and Expression|date=April 2011|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826055318/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110331006826/en/Comic-Sans-Pro-Typeface-Family-Debut|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Monotype_PR_2011-04-11">{{cite web|url=http://ir.monotypeimaging.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=561269|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403052134/http://ir.monotypeimaging.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=561269|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-04-03|title=Comic Sans Pro Typeface Family Makes its Debut}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ascender 2010 font pack features|url=https://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2010/06/29/91042/UserGuideAscender2010FontPack.pdf|website=PRWeb|publisher=Ascender|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-date=12 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012031854/http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2010/06/29/91042/UserGuideAscender2010FontPack.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally appearing as part of ] 2010 Font Pack as Comic Sans 2010, it was first released on ], causing some to initially assume it was a joke.<ref name="crea_Comi">{{Cite web | title = Comic Sans Pro Not an April Fool's Joke {{!}} | author = Terri Stone | publisher = CreativePro.com | date = 4 April 2011 | access-date = 2015-04-17 | url = http://creativepro.com/comic-san-pros-not-april-fools-joke/ | quote = The Comic Sans typeface, one of Microsoft's most popular designs, has received a makeover courtesy of Monotype Imaging. Today the company has introduced the four-font Comic Sans Pro family of typefaces. Featuring elements such as speech bubbles and cartoon dingbats, Comic Sans Pro extends the versatility of the original Comic Sans, designed by Vincent Connare for Microsoft in 1994. | archive-date = 2015-04-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150418022056/http://creativepro.com/comic-san-pros-not-april-fools-joke/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fontmarketplace.com/font/ascender-2010-pack.aspx?affid=2|title=Ascender releases new OpenType font pack for Microsoft Office 2010|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911121035/http://www.fontmarketplace.com/font/ascender-2010-pack.aspx?affid=2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4208244.htm|title=Ascender Releases New OpenType Font Pack for Microsoft Office 2010|date=6 July 2010|work=PRWeb|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=6 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806094335/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4208244.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
*Macmillan, Neil,. ''An A–Z of Type Designers.'' Yale University Press: 2006. ISBN 0-300-11151-7. | |||
The italicized variant later appeared in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://donnedwards.openaccess.co.za/2012/03/new-typefaces-for-windows-8.html|title=New Typefaces for Windows 8|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105122326/http://donnedwards.openaccess.co.za/2012/03/new-typefaces-for-windows-8.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Misuse== | |||
] case in Monaco with a label in Comic Sans]] | |||
Comic Sans has become most infamous for its use in serious circumstances, such as warning signs and formal documents, in which it might appear too informal, unprofessional, or inappropriate.<ref name="bbc-comicsans"/> | |||
During the summer of 2010, ] superstar ] left the ] in free agency, in a highly publicized media affair that culminated in a TV special called '']''. The majority owner of the team (at the time), ], reacted by posting a letter to ] fans. The letter was criticized for its use of Comic Sans.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html |title=Cavaliers: Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert |website=] |date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710014850/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html |archive-date=2010-07-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/09/comic.sans.cavs.james|title=Cavs owner's letter mocked for Comic Sans font|work=cnn.com|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411194626/http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/09/comic.sans.cavs.james/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/07/08/cleveland-cavs-owner-letter-lebron|title=Cavs Owner Goes Online To Rip LeBron A New One... In Comic Sans|author=M. G. Siegler|publisher=AOL|work=TechCrunch|date=9 July 2010|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515211151/http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/08/cleveland-cavs-owner-letter-lebron/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In October 2012, a Dutch ] memorial called ''Verzoening'' ("Reconciliation") was revealed on which the names of Jewish, Allied and German military deaths alike were written alongside each other in Comic Sans. The names were eventually scraped off after complaints from Jewish organizations, but the rewritten message was once again in Comic Sans. According to the city government, this was done because the letters fit the shape of the stone and were easily visible from a distance. It was, however, criticized for making the memorial appear "ugly" and "cheap".<ref> (''in Dutch''), ''Binnenlands Bestuur''</ref><ref>, ''Traces of War''</ref> | |||
In September 2014, '']'' printed a front page with Comic Sans, causing an uproar, despite its use being within ] in keeping with the origin of the typeface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comic Sans comes of age on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 September 2014|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/comic-sans-comes-of-age-on-the-front-page-of-the-sydney-morning-herald-20140903-10brl2.html|access-date=10 October 2017|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016133243/http://www.smh.com.au/comment/comic-sans-comes-of-age-on-the-front-page-of-the-sydney-morning-herald-20140903-10brl2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In May 2015, after ], the dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration of ] in ] sent a congratulatory letter to president-elect ], who was a graduate and employee of that faculty, written in Comic Sans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-28 |title=Andrzej Duda dostał list gratulacyjny od UJ. Kiedy go zobaczycie, zazgrzytacie zębami |url=https://buzz.gazeta.pl/buzz/7,156947,18006297,andrzej-duda-dostal-list-gratulacyjny-od-uj-kiedy-go-zobaczycie.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=gazetapl |language=pl}}</ref> | |||
In August 2015, a number of Greek Prime Minister ]'s ] party members split and formed a new party, headed by ]. The official document of resignation was allegedly written in Comic Sans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volosnow.gr/o-lafazanis-katethese-tin-apochorisi-tou-grammeni-se-comic-sans/|title=O Λαφαζάνης κατέθεσε την αποχώρησή του γραμμένη σε Comic Sans!|work=Volos!Now – On-line|access-date=3 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004131442/http://www.volosnow.gr/o-lafazanis-katethese-tin-apochorisi-tou-grammeni-se-comic-sans/|archive-date=4 October 2015}}</ref> | |||
In July 2018, a statue of former Chilean President ] was inaugurated in ]. The ] on the monument were written in Comic Sans, drawing negative attention on social media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-metropolitana/2018/07/03/critican-monumento-a-pedro-aguirre-cerda-por-utilizacion-de-tipografia-comic-sans.shtml |title=Critican monumento a Pedro Aguirre Cerda por utilización de tipografía Comic Sans |last=Delgado |first=Felipe |date=3 July 2018 |website=] |access-date=4 July 2018 |language=es |trans-title=Criticism towards monument to Pedro Aguirre Cerda for use of Comic Sans typography |archive-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704022500/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-metropolitana/2018/07/03/critican-monumento-a-pedro-aguirre-cerda-por-utilizacion-de-tipografia-comic-sans.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In October 2019, when the United States ] requested that two of ]'s associates, ] and Igor Fruma, present documentation regarding their involvement in the Ukraine scandal, former Trump attorney ] penned a letter of explanation printed in Comic Sans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90414127/trumps-old-lawyers-really-really-love-comic-sans|title=Trump's old lawyers really, really love Comic Sans|last=Wilson|first=Mark|date=2019-10-08|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-11|archive-date=2019-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207100158/https://www.fastcompany.com/90414127/trumps-old-lawyers-really-really-love-comic-sans|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
That same month, as part of the ]'s ] debate, the ] tweeted an image stating "MPs must come together and get Brexit done" using Comic Sans.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1186650398037331968|user=Conservatives|title=Now is the time for MPs to back the new deal and get Brexit done. #GetBrexitDone<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=22 October 2019}}</ref> The post was heavily mocked, but some commentators saw it as a deliberate attempt to use the typeface's notoriety in order to bring their message to a wider audience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2019/10/22/news/tories-grab-twitter-s-attention-with-comic-sans-campaigning-1745840/|title=Tories grab Twitter's attention with Comic Sans campaigning|date=October 22, 2019|website=The Irish News|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190644/https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2019/10/22/news/tories-grab-twitter-s-attention-with-comic-sans-campaigning-1745840/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Legibility== | |||
] (an ] alternative), ] (another "casual"<ref name="mijacobs">{{cite web |publisher=] |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/font-list/candara |title=Typography – Candara font family |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-date=2022-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714155032/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/font-list/candara |url-status=live }}</ref> font), ] (a ] standard font), ] (an open font designed for legibility), and Komika Text (a font designed for ]s). The characters displayed are prone to legibility problems.]] | |||
A research article published by '']'' in 2010 showed ] could lead to improved retention and classroom performance. The article stated that disfluency can be produced merely by adopting fonts that are slightly more difficult to read.<ref name=DiemandYauman>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.cognition.2010.09.012| pmid = 21040910| title = Fortune favors the bold (and the italicized): Effects of disfluency on educational outcomes| journal = Cognition| volume = 118| issue = 1| pages = 111–115| year = 2011| last1 = Diemand-Yauman | first1 = C. | last2 = Oppenheimer | first2 = D. M. | last3 = Vaughan | first3 = E. B. | s2cid = 1003005}}</ref> In the case studies cited in the article, Comic Sans was used to introduce disfluency.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/01/the-benefit-of-ugly-fonts/|title=The Educational Benefit of Ugly Fonts|magazine=Wired|access-date=16 November 2017}}</ref> A 2010 ] study involving presenting students with text in a font slightly harder to read found that they consistently retained more information from material displayed in fonts perceived as ugly or incoherent (], ], and Comic Sans Italic) than in a simpler, more traditional typeface such as ].<ref name=DiemandYauman /> | |||
More often, however, Comic Sans is described as especially legible, and is frequently used in school settings or as an aid for people with ].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/does-comic-sans-really-help-dyslexic-learners|last=Severs|first=Jon|title=Does Comic Sans really help dyslexic learners?|publisher=TES Magazine|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=1 October 2022|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002002459/https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/does-comic-sans-really-help-dyslexic-learners|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=January 2023}} Some people have reported that typing in Comic Sans has helped to clear ], claiming that its casual appearance and high legibility create less mental tension.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-30 |title=Does Switching to Comic Sans Really Fix Writer's Block? |url=https://www.themarysue.com/comic-sans-writing/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en |archive-date=2022-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626034030/https://www.themarysue.com/comic-sans-writing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Compared to other typefaces, Comic Sans has fewer rotated and mirror-image ]s (ex. the letters "b", "d", "p", and "q"), has particularly wide ], and is ]<ref>{{Cite web |title= The Reason Comic Sans Is a Public Good |url= https://www.thecut.com/2017/03/the-reason-comic-sans-is-a-public-good.html |last= Baer |first= Drake |date= 2017-03-07 |website= The Cut |access-date= 2019-12-21 |archive-date= 2019-12-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191217195304/https://www.thecut.com/2017/03/the-reason-comic-sans-is-a-public-good.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title= Creating a dyslexia friendly workplace |url= https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide |website= British Dyslexia Association |access-date= 2020-02-08 |archive-date= 2023-03-15 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230315034831/https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide |url-status= live }}</ref> in general, although its capital "i" ('''<span style='font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif'>I</span>''') has serifs to distinguish it from lowercase "l" ('''<span style='font-family: "Comic Sans MS", sans-serif'>l</span>''').<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connare |first=Vincent |date=2003 |title=Why Comic Sans? |url=http://www.connare.com/whycomic.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710131200/http://connare.com/whycomic.htm |archive-date=2024-07-10 |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.connare.com}}</ref> | |||
==Reception and legacy== | |||
Several reinterpretations of Comic Sans have been created as a result of its popularity. In April 2014, font designer Craig Rozynski released a modernized version of Comic Sans called ]. In 2015, graphic designer Ben Harman created Comic Papyrus (later renamed "Comic Parchment" for legal reasons), which combines the features of Comic Sans with the similarly panned typeface ]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Escamilla|first=Rebecca|date=March 27, 2015|title=Comic Papyrus, A Complete Font Designed as a Mashup of Papyrus and Comic Sans|url=https://laughingsquid.com/comic-papyrus/#:~:text=and%20Comic%20Sans-,Comic%20Papyrus%2C%20A%20Complete%20Font%20Designed%20as%20a,of%20Papyrus%20and%20Comic%20Sans&text=Comic%20Papyrus%20combines%20the%20timeless,Simultaneously!|website=Laughing Squid|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027061827/https://laughingsquid.com/comic-papyrus/#:~:text=and%20Comic%20Sans-,Comic%20Papyrus%2C%20A%20Complete%20Font%20Designed%20as%20a,of%20Papyrus%20and%20Comic%20Sans&text=Comic%20Papyrus%20combines%20the%20timeless,Simultaneously!|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Tabular Type Foundry released Comic Code, a monospaced version of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toshi Omagari {{!}} Comic Code |url=https://tosche.net/fonts/comic-code |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=tosche.net |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523074144/https://tosche.net/fonts/comic-code |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 2017, it was reported that ], the typeface's designer, had only used it once.<ref>{{cite news|title=The designer of Comic Sans has only ever used his typeface once|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/designer-comic-sans-typeface-article-1.3011373|date=March 28, 2017|access-date=2019-10-03|work=NEW YORK DAILY NEWS|archive-date=2019-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003033034/https://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/designer-comic-sans-typeface-article-1.3011373|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Opposition=== | |||
Because of its ubiquity and misuse, Comic Sans has received heavy disapproval from graphic and type designers. The '']'' reported on disgruntlement over the widespread use of the typeface, especially its inappropriate use for writing on serious subjects, with the complaints urged on by a campaign started by two ] graphic designers, Dave and Holly Combs, via their website "Ban Comic Sans".<ref>{{cite news|title=Not Funny: Fighting the Good Fight Against a Very Bad Font|work=The Boston Phoenix|date=June 3, 2005|url=http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/04731913.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302221412/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/04731913.asp|archive-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> The movement was conceived in 1999 by the two designers after an employer insisted that one of them use Comic Sans in a children's museum exhibit. The website's main argument is that a typeface should match the tone of its text and that the humorous appearance of Comic Sans often contrasted with a serious message, such as a "do not enter" sign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bancomicsans.com|title=Ban Comic Sans official page|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911052339/http://www.bancomicsans.com/|archive-date=11 September 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The movement ran until 2019, when Dave Combs believed the hatred had "gotten out of hand".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Emma |date=2019-10-09 |title=Hating Comic Sans Is Not a Personality |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/style/comic-sans-font.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811032603/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/style/comic-sans-font.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While the website "Ban Comic Sans" is no longer in use, searching the title today will direct viewers to a linktr.ee page, where the campaign is still going strong.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Ban Comic Sans Linktr.ee |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=ban+comic+sans+website&sca_esv=22db317853775bed&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS864US864&sxsrf=ADLYWIJ-7cvq7DneGXzeBK0hgULsSto8yg%3A1733544986718&ei=GsxTZ5HNK4mhur8PqLWDcA&ved=0ahUKEwiRwoqp5pSKAxWJkO4BHajaAA4Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=ban+comic+sans+website&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFmJhbiBjb21pYyBzYW5zIHdlYnNpdGVIiiRQ3QRYqx9wCXgAkAEAmAF0oAF0qgEDMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEBmAICoAIIwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICDRAAGIAEGLADGEMYigXCAgUQABiABMICBhAAGBYYHsICCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFmAMAiAYBkAYJkgcBMqAH9gY&sclient=gws-wiz-serp |url-status=live}}</ref> This chain of websites connects to an on ], an informational video on ] and an official ] page for the movement. A newer version of the website by the name of Comic Sans Criminal has also gained popularity in recent years <ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Comic Sans Criminal |url=https://comicsanscriminal.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
], whose work was one of the inspirations for Comic Sans, condemned the typeface, stating that it was "a shame they couldn't have used just the original font, because is a real mess. I think it's a particularly ugly letter form."<ref>{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Schofield|author-link=Jack Schofield (journalist)|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/aug/12/dave-gibbons-watchmen-interview|title=Computers draw a new chapter in comics|work=]|date=2009-08-12|access-date=2009-08-30|location=London|archive-date=2013-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805172221/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/aug/12/dave-gibbons-watchmen-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Film producer and '']'' essayist ] wrote in an August 2012 posting, "The conscious awareness of Comic Sans promotes—at least among some people—contempt and summary dismissal." With the help of a professor, he conducted an online experiment and found that Comic Sans, in comparison with five other typefaces (], ], ], ], and ]), makes readers slightly less likely to believe that a statement they are reading is true.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/hear-all-ye-people-hearken-o-earth/|title=Hear, All Ye People; Hearken, O Earth (Part One)|last=Morris|first=Errol|date=August 8, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 August 2012|archive-date=10 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810224501/http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/hear-all-ye-people-hearken-o-earth/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Defense=== | |||
In the ], radio DJs Coen Swijnenberg<!--Q2331789--> and ] decided to celebrate the ] by having a Comic Sans day on the first Friday of ]. Comic Sans Day has been held since 2009. Some Dutch companies have their website in Comic Sans on this day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3fm.nl/nieuws/detail/356139/Comic-Sans-Dag-op-5-juli-2013|title=Comic Sans Dag op 5 juli 2013 – Nieuws – NPO 3FM – Serious Radio|work=NPO 3FM Serious Radio|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022074718/http://www.3fm.nl/nieuws/detail/356139/Comic-Sans-Dag-op-5-juli-2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
According to a 2020 ] poll held by ], 44% of teachers sampled used Comic Sans in their teaching resources. Comic Sans is widely used in schools due to its high legibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riechers |first=Angela |date=August 23, 2016 |title=Comic Sans Might Just be the Best Font for People with Dyslexia |url=https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/sad-but-true-comic-sans-might-just-be-the-best-font-for-dyslexics/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Other reasons include:<ref name=":0"/> | |||
* It is more suitable for dyslexic students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Creating a dyslexia friendly workplace |url=https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide#:~:text=Use%20sans%20serif%20fonts%2C%20such,may%20request%20a%20larger%20font. |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* It is well-suited for modeling handwriting, due to the single-story lowercase "a" and "g", and distinct appearances of the letters <code>I</code> and <code>l</code>.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shaikh |first=Audrey |date=May 1, 2007 |title=PSYCHOLOGY OF ONSCREEN TYPE: INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING TYPEFACE PERSONALITY, APPROPRIATENESS, AND IMPACT ON DOCUMENT PERCEPTION |url=https://soar.wichita.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/58c1da24-7d63-4571-991a-1acc4b533f9e/content |journal=Dissertation PDF |publication-place=the Department of Psychology and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University}}</ref> | |||
* It is aesthetically pleasing to some children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Alexander |date=March 31, 2011 |title=Comic Sans is for Children |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/86145/comic-sans-children |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] is reportedly not offended by the negative backlash over Comic Sans. At the Fourth Annual Boring Conference, he claimed to find the contempt for his work to be "mildly amusing."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-04 |title=The Comic Sans creator explains how he made the world's most-hated font |url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2014/jun/04/comic-sans-creator-vincent-connare |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708075935/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2014/jun/04/comic-sans-creator-vincent-connare |url-status=live }}</ref> He has stated that he is proud of his creation, offering different rationales. One of these was that "Comic Sans does what it was commissioned to do, it is loved by kids, mums, dads and many family members. So it did its job very well. It matched the brief!" He has also referred to it as "the best joke I've ever told."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winston |first=Anna |title="People who don't like Comic Sans don't know anything about design" |date=27 November 2014 |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/27/vincent-connare-typography-interview-comic-sans-ms/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191149/https://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/27/vincent-connare-typography-interview-comic-sans-ms/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, commenting on Comic Sans' critics and fans alike, Connare said, "If you love it, you don't know much about typography, if you hate it, you really don't know much about typography either, and you should get another hobby."<ref name="indie">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/meet-comic-sans-successor-comic-neue-9246407.html|title=Meet Comic Sans' successor: Comic Neue|first=James|last=Vincent|date=8 April 2014|work=]|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509062123/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/meet-comic-sans-successor-comic-neue-9246407.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 October 2019 |last=Goldberg |first=Emma |title=Hating Comic Sans Is Not a Personality |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/style/comic-sans-font.html |website=] |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111034621/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/style/comic-sans-font.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Lauren Hudgins of '''' argued that people who use Comic Sans should be treated with respect, not mockery, because "people without ] need empathy for those who need concessions to manage the disability."<ref>{{Cite web |title= Hating Comic Sans Is Ableist |url= https://theestablishment.co/hating-comic-sans-is-ableist-bc4a4de87093/ |last= Hudgins |first= Lauren |date= 2019-04-15 |website= ] |quote= Comic Sans is recommended by the British Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland...People without dyslexia need empathy for those who need concessions to manage the disability. |access-date= 2019-12-21 |archive-date= 2019-12-13 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191213052450/https://theestablishment.co/hating-comic-sans-is-ableist-bc4a4de87093/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Defenders of Comic Sans also argue that the criticism the font receives is oftentimes exaggerated, and that its benefits deserve more credit. | |||
===In popular culture=== | |||
] for a Latin-language automated teller machine in the ] uses Comic Sans for its text prompts.]] | |||
Comic Sans status as a ] became a defining point in its legacy. Because of this, many people began to use the font with irony and sarcasm in ] and ]. It has also been used in political campaigns and the communications of public figures, which has drawn some attention. | |||
In 2010, when ] was criticized by ], owner of the ], for leaving the team in a published letter that heavily utilized Comic Sans.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
In 2019, ] writer Mark Wilson penned an emotionally charged article which shamed ] and his staff for utilizing the font type in important statements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mark |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Trump's old lawyers really, really love Comic Sans |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90414127/trumps-old-lawyers-really-really-love-comic-sans |url-status=live |archive-url= |website=Fast Company}}</ref> | |||
By searching the phrase 'ban comic sans' into the ] search bar, google will change the websites font to comic sans, as a practical joke and retaliation for the search <ref>{{Cite web |title=Google 'ban comic sans' |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=ban+comic+sans&sca_esv=22db317853775bed&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS864US864&sxsrf=ADLYWILjRXQdetGAQ-M-cnBxRalBR3HE_w%3A1733544995773&ei=I8xTZ_L1Lrr2kPIPnqHeyA8&ved=0ahUKEwiyk7Ot5pSKAxU6O0QIHZ6QF_kQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=ban+comic+sans&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDmJhbiBjb21pYyBzYW5zMgoQIxiABBgnGIoFMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBUioJ1CuBFiuBHAGeAGQAQCYAYEBoAGBAaoBAzAuMbgBA8gBAPgBAZgCB6ACmgHCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcDNi4xoAeqBw&sclient=gws-wiz-serp |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the 2005 session of the youth ] in ], ], the ] included the clause, "Ban the font known as Comic Sans" in an ].<ref name="NDP calls for ban">{{cite web|url=http://tylerkinch.com/11/2007/ndp-calls-for-ban-on-comic-sans-typeface/|title=NDP calls for ban on Comic Sans typeface|access-date=2008-05-16|date=2007-11-11|last=Kinch|first=Tyler|work=Kinch Blog|publisher=Tyler Kinch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501094134/http://tylerkinch.com/11/2007/ndp-calls-for-ban-on-comic-sans-typeface/|archive-date=2008-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
On May 22, 2012, The Comic Sans Song<ref>{{Citation |title=The Comic Sans Song {{!}} gunnarolla ft. Andrew Huang |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBibXwwLBts |language=en |access-date=2022-11-06 |archive-date=2022-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106180100/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBibXwwLBts |url-status=live }}</ref> was released by ] content creator and musician ], in collaboration with musician ]. The song makes reference to Comic Sans and features commentary around the impact the font has had on pop-culture. | |||
In July 2012, when the discovery of the ] was announced at ], ], the spokesperson of the ], attracted comment by using Comic Sans in her presentation of the results.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jul/04/higgs-boson-comic-sans-twitter |title=Higgs boson and Comic Sans: the perfect fusion |first=Patrick |last=Kingsley |work=] |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-date=15 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215162742/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jul/04/higgs-boson-comic-sans-twitter |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mediastream.cern.ch/MediaArchive/Photo/Public/2012/1207136/1207136_67/1207136_67-A4-at-144-dpi.jpg |title=Higgs seminar picture |publisher=CERN |format=JPG |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062703/https://mediastream.cern.ch/MediaArchive/Photo/Public/2012/1207136/1207136_67/1207136_67-A4-at-144-dpi.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite video |url=http://cdsweb.cern.ch/record/1459565 |title= Latest update in the search for the Higgs boson |time=51:07 |publisher=CERN |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=5 July 2012 }}</ref> As a 2014 ] joke, CERN claimed that it would be switching all its publications to Comic Sans.<ref>{{cite web|title=CERN to switch to Comic Sans|url=http://home.web.cern.ch/about/updates/2014/04/cern-switch-comic-sans|publisher=CERN|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810003003/http://home.web.cern.ch/about/updates/2014/04/cern-switch-comic-sans|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The Internet meme ], which became popular in late 2013, consists of different colored sets of words in broken English written in Comic Sans around the head of a ] dog.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chayka|first=Kyle|date=2013-12-31|title=Wow this is doge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/31/5248762/doge-meme-rescue-dog-wow|access-date=2021-10-24|website=The Verge|language=en-US|archive-date=2014-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314001541/http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/31/5248762/doge-meme-rescue-dog-wow|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In April 2014, ] announced the ] project in Comic Sans, claiming to be the first to "weaponize" it as a means for soliciting donations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.openbsd.org/papers/bsdcan14-libressl/mgp00025.html|title=MagicPoint presentation foils|work=openbsd.org|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512124053/http://www.openbsd.org/papers/bsdcan14-libressl/mgp00025.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.libressl.org/|title=LibreSSL|work=libressl.org|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414184909/https://www.libressl.org/|archive-date=14 April 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
In the 2015 video game '']'' and its followup '']'', the character ] is a ] skeleton named after the typeface. His dialogue is displayed in lowercase Comic Sans. He is paired with his brother named ], in reference to ].<ref>{{cite web |first=Bella Vanessa |last=Sotomayor |title=UNDERTALE: A Game That Is Still Amazing Today |date=December 15, 2016 |website=] |url=https://comicsverse.com/undertale-still-amazing/ |access-date=20 March 2020 |quote=Some of the characters also have different fonts in their text boxes, which highlights their different personalities. For example, two brothers named Sans and Papyrus use the comic sans and papyrus fonts in their text boxes, respectively. |archive-date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200507085356/https://comicsverse.com/undertale-still-amazing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This has however increased the typeface's popularity in some ways, showing it as an endearing presence, that many can take joy in, regardless of its nature. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{columns-list|colwidth=35em| | |||
* ] | |||
*{{Annotated link|Chalkboard (typeface)}} | |||
* ] | |||
*{{Annotated link|Core fonts for the Web}} | |||
*{{Annotated link|ITC Kristen}} | |||
*{{Annotated link|Microsoft PowerPoint#Cultural reactions}} | |||
*{{Annotated link|Papyrus (typeface)}} | |||
*{{Annotated link|Waltograph}} | |||
}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
{{Refbegin}} | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203153419/http://www.microsoft.com/typography/web/fonts/comicsns/default.htm |date=2008-02-03 }} | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128050430/http://www.connare.com/comic.htm |date=2008-01-28 }} | |||
* Macmillan, Neil,. ''An A–Z of Type Designers.'' Yale University Press: 2006. {{ISBN|0-300-11151-7}}. | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225211836/http://www.fontmarketplace.com/images/2010FontPack.pdf |date=2010-12-25 }} | |||
{{refend}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* at Microsoft Typography | ||
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* (Microsoft typography) | |||
* (]) | |||
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{{Microsoft Windows Typefaces}} | |||
{{OS X typefaces}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
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Revision as of 10:48, 2 January 2025
Sans-serif typeface by Microsoft For the 2018 film, see Comic Sans (film). For the TV episode, see Comic Sans (Orange Is the New Black).Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (June 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Category | Script (typefaces) |
---|---|
Designer(s) | Vincent Connare |
Foundry | Microsoft |
Date created | October 1994; 30 years ago (1994-10) |
Sample |
Comic Sans MS (most commonly referred to as Comic Sans) is a sans-serif typeface created and designed by Vincent Connare and released by Microsoft Corporation in 1994. Designed as a non-connecting script, the typeface draws inspiration from comic book lettering, to emulate the informal and cartoonish tone of speech bubbles. It was originally developed for use in Microsofts software, and since then has become very widely recognized for its use in casual contexts such as children's books, personal documentation and in educational resources.
The typeface was first introduced with Microsoft Windows as a part of the Microsoft Plus! Pack, and was later implemented into Microsoft Comic Chat as a comic styled chat application. Since then, Microsoft has described the font as "casual and legible" and a typeface which has garnered much popularity across a diverse set of user groups.
Comic Sans has however become a cultural phenomenon, gaining significant criticism and mockery due to its perceived over usage and misuse in professional and formal settings. Despite this, the font continues to hold a devoted fan base, particularly among education professionals and those in search of approachable and simplistic typefaces for specific uses.
History
Development and release
Microsoft designer Vincent Connare began working on Comic Sans in 1994 after having already created other fonts for various applications. When he saw a beta version of Microsoft Bob that used Times New Roman in the word balloons of its cartoon characters, he believed the typeface gave the software an overly formal appearance. He believed this was inappropriate for the aesthetics of the program, which was created to introduce younger users to computers. In order to make Microsoft Bob look more suitable for its intended purposes, he decided to create a new typeface with only a mouse and cursor, based on the lettering style of comic books he had in his office, specifically The Dark Knight Returns (lettered by John Costanza) and Watchmen (lettered by Dave Gibbons).
He completed Comic Sans too late for inclusion in Microsoft Bob, and the typeface would go unreleased until the programmers of Microsoft 3D Movie Maker, which also used cartoon guides and speech bubbles, adopted it. The speech bubbles were eventually phased out and replaced by actual sound, but Comic Sans stayed for the program's pop-up windows and help sections. The typeface later shipped with the Windows 95 Plus! Pack, and was the primary font of the Travel desktop theme. It was later included as a system font for the OEM versions of Windows 95. Finally, it became one of the default fonts for Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Comic Sans is also used in Microsoft Comic Chat, which was released in 1996 with Internet Explorer 3.0.
Comic Sans is pre-installed in macOS and Windows Phone but not Android, iOS or Linux. Comic Sans can be manually downloaded on iOS.
Comic Sans Pro (2011)
Comic Sans Pro is an updated version of Comic Sans created by Terrance Weinzierl from Monotype Imaging. While retaining the original designs of the core characters, it expands the typeface by adding new italic variants, in addition to swashes, small capitals, extra ornaments and symbols including speech bubbles, onomatopoeia and dingbats, as well as text figures and other stylistic alternatives. Originally appearing as part of Ascender 2010 Font Pack as Comic Sans 2010, it was first released on April Fools' Day, causing some to initially assume it was a joke.
The italicized variant later appeared in Windows 8.
Misuse
Comic Sans has become most infamous for its use in serious circumstances, such as warning signs and formal documents, in which it might appear too informal, unprofessional, or inappropriate.
During the summer of 2010, NBA superstar LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency, in a highly publicized media affair that culminated in a TV special called The Decision. The majority owner of the team (at the time), Dan Gilbert, reacted by posting a letter to Cavalier fans. The letter was criticized for its use of Comic Sans.
In October 2012, a Dutch World War II memorial called Verzoening ("Reconciliation") was revealed on which the names of Jewish, Allied and German military deaths alike were written alongside each other in Comic Sans. The names were eventually scraped off after complaints from Jewish organizations, but the rewritten message was once again in Comic Sans. According to the city government, this was done because the letters fit the shape of the stone and were easily visible from a distance. It was, however, criticized for making the memorial appear "ugly" and "cheap".
In September 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald printed a front page with Comic Sans, causing an uproar, despite its use being within speech bubbles in keeping with the origin of the typeface.
In May 2015, after the presidential elections in Poland, the dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków sent a congratulatory letter to president-elect Andrzej Duda, who was a graduate and employee of that faculty, written in Comic Sans.
In August 2015, a number of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's Syriza party members split and formed a new party, headed by Panagiotis Lafazanis. The official document of resignation was allegedly written in Comic Sans.
In July 2018, a statue of former Chilean President Pedro Aguirre Cerda was inaugurated in Santiago. The plaques on the monument were written in Comic Sans, drawing negative attention on social media.
In October 2019, when the United States House Intelligence Committee requested that two of Rudy Giuliani's associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruma, present documentation regarding their involvement in the Ukraine scandal, former Trump attorney John Dowd penned a letter of explanation printed in Comic Sans.
That same month, as part of the United Kingdom's Brexit debate, the Conservative Party tweeted an image stating "MPs must come together and get Brexit done" using Comic Sans. The post was heavily mocked, but some commentators saw it as a deliberate attempt to use the typeface's notoriety in order to bring their message to a wider audience.
Legibility
A research article published by Cognition in 2010 showed disfluency could lead to improved retention and classroom performance. The article stated that disfluency can be produced merely by adopting fonts that are slightly more difficult to read. In the case studies cited in the article, Comic Sans was used to introduce disfluency. A 2010 Princeton University study involving presenting students with text in a font slightly harder to read found that they consistently retained more information from material displayed in fonts perceived as ugly or incoherent (Monotype Corsiva, Haettenschweiler, and Comic Sans Italic) than in a simpler, more traditional typeface such as Helvetica.
More often, however, Comic Sans is described as especially legible, and is frequently used in school settings or as an aid for people with dyslexia. Some people have reported that typing in Comic Sans has helped to clear writer's block, claiming that its casual appearance and high legibility create less mental tension. Compared to other typefaces, Comic Sans has fewer rotated and mirror-image glyphs (ex. the letters "b", "d", "p", and "q"), has particularly wide letter spacing, and is sans serif in general, although its capital "i" (I) has serifs to distinguish it from lowercase "l" (l).
Reception and legacy
Several reinterpretations of Comic Sans have been created as a result of its popularity. In April 2014, font designer Craig Rozynski released a modernized version of Comic Sans called Comic Neue. In 2015, graphic designer Ben Harman created Comic Papyrus (later renamed "Comic Parchment" for legal reasons), which combines the features of Comic Sans with the similarly panned typeface Papyrus. In 2019, Tabular Type Foundry released Comic Code, a monospaced version of the typeface.
In 2017, it was reported that Vincent Connare, the typeface's designer, had only used it once.
Opposition
Because of its ubiquity and misuse, Comic Sans has received heavy disapproval from graphic and type designers. The Boston Phoenix reported on disgruntlement over the widespread use of the typeface, especially its inappropriate use for writing on serious subjects, with the complaints urged on by a campaign started by two Indianapolis graphic designers, Dave and Holly Combs, via their website "Ban Comic Sans". The movement was conceived in 1999 by the two designers after an employer insisted that one of them use Comic Sans in a children's museum exhibit. The website's main argument is that a typeface should match the tone of its text and that the humorous appearance of Comic Sans often contrasted with a serious message, such as a "do not enter" sign. The movement ran until 2019, when Dave Combs believed the hatred had "gotten out of hand". While the website "Ban Comic Sans" is no longer in use, searching the title today will direct viewers to a linktr.ee page, where the campaign is still going strong. This chain of websites connects to an online merch store on Zazzle.com, an informational video on Vimeo and an official facebook page for the movement. A newer version of the website by the name of Comic Sans Criminal has also gained popularity in recent years
Dave Gibbons, whose work was one of the inspirations for Comic Sans, condemned the typeface, stating that it was "a shame they couldn't have used just the original font, because is a real mess. I think it's a particularly ugly letter form."
Film producer and The New York Times essayist Errol Morris wrote in an August 2012 posting, "The conscious awareness of Comic Sans promotes—at least among some people—contempt and summary dismissal." With the help of a professor, he conducted an online experiment and found that Comic Sans, in comparison with five other typefaces (Baskerville, Helvetica, Georgia, Trebuchet MS, and Computer Modern), makes readers slightly less likely to believe that a statement they are reading is true.
Defense
In the Netherlands, radio DJs Coen Swijnenberg and Sander Lantinga decided to celebrate the typeface by having a Comic Sans day on the first Friday of July. Comic Sans Day has been held since 2009. Some Dutch companies have their website in Comic Sans on this day.
According to a 2020 X poll held by TES, 44% of teachers sampled used Comic Sans in their teaching resources. Comic Sans is widely used in schools due to its high legibility. Other reasons include:
- It is more suitable for dyslexic students.
- It is well-suited for modeling handwriting, due to the single-story lowercase "a" and "g", and distinct appearances of the letters
I
andl
. - It is aesthetically pleasing to some children.
Vincent Connare is reportedly not offended by the negative backlash over Comic Sans. At the Fourth Annual Boring Conference, he claimed to find the contempt for his work to be "mildly amusing." He has stated that he is proud of his creation, offering different rationales. One of these was that "Comic Sans does what it was commissioned to do, it is loved by kids, mums, dads and many family members. So it did its job very well. It matched the brief!" He has also referred to it as "the best joke I've ever told." In 2014, commenting on Comic Sans' critics and fans alike, Connare said, "If you love it, you don't know much about typography, if you hate it, you really don't know much about typography either, and you should get another hobby."
Lauren Hudgins of The Establishment argued that people who use Comic Sans should be treated with respect, not mockery, because "people without dyslexia need empathy for those who need concessions to manage the disability." Defenders of Comic Sans also argue that the criticism the font receives is oftentimes exaggerated, and that its benefits deserve more credit.
In popular culture
Comic Sans status as a meme became a defining point in its legacy. Because of this, many people began to use the font with irony and sarcasm in internet memes and pop culture. It has also been used in political campaigns and the communications of public figures, which has drawn some attention.
In 2010, when LeBron James was criticized by Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for leaving the team in a published letter that heavily utilized Comic Sans.
In 2019, Fast Company writer Mark Wilson penned an emotionally charged article which shamed President Trump and his staff for utilizing the font type in important statements.
By searching the phrase 'ban comic sans' into the Google search bar, google will change the websites font to comic sans, as a practical joke and retaliation for the search
In the 2005 session of the youth model parliament in Ontario, Canada, the New Democratic Party included the clause, "Ban the font known as Comic Sans" in an omnibus ban bill.
On May 22, 2012, The Comic Sans Song was released by YouTube content creator and musician Gunnarolla, in collaboration with musician Andrew Huang. The song makes reference to Comic Sans and features commentary around the impact the font has had on pop-culture.
In July 2012, when the discovery of the Higgs boson was announced at CERN, Fabiola Gianotti, the spokesperson of the ATLAS experiment, attracted comment by using Comic Sans in her presentation of the results. As a 2014 April Fools' Day joke, CERN claimed that it would be switching all its publications to Comic Sans.
The Internet meme Doge, which became popular in late 2013, consists of different colored sets of words in broken English written in Comic Sans around the head of a Shiba Inu dog.
In April 2014, OpenBSD announced the LibreSSL project in Comic Sans, claiming to be the first to "weaponize" it as a means for soliciting donations.
In the 2015 video game Undertale and its followup Deltarune, the character Sans is a comedian skeleton named after the typeface. His dialogue is displayed in lowercase Comic Sans. He is paired with his brother named Papyrus, in reference to the typeface of the same name. This has however increased the typeface's popularity in some ways, showing it as an endearing presence, that many can take joy in, regardless of its nature.
See also
- Chalkboard (typeface)
- Core fonts for the Web – Fonts supplied by Microsoft for canonical web use
- ITC Kristen – casual script typeface consisting of two weights designed by George Ryan for the International Typeface CorporationPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
- Microsoft PowerPoint#Cultural reactions – Presentation application, part of Microsoft 365
- Papyrus (typeface) – Typeface family
- Waltograph – Freeware typeface based on the Walt Disney logo
References
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Comic Sans is recommended by the British Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland...People without dyslexia need empathy for those who need concessions to manage the disability.
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Some of the characters also have different fonts in their text boxes, which highlights their different personalities. For example, two brothers named Sans and Papyrus use the comic sans and papyrus fonts in their text boxes, respectively.
Further reading
- Connare, Vincent. "Comic Sans Background Information." Comic Sans Café. Archived 2008-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Connare, Vincent. "Why Comic Sans?" Archived 2008-01-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Macmillan, Neil,. An A–Z of Type Designers. Yale University Press: 2006. ISBN 0-300-11151-7.
- Ascender 2010 Font Pack Overview with Comic Sans 2010 Archived 2010-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Comic Sans MS font family at Microsoft Typography
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