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Superman Logo
The Many Faces of the Superman Logo
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster the Superman logo also generally referred to as the Superman shield or the ‘S’ shield is a representation of the first fictional super-hero ever to be created. Superman has existed in the hearts and minds of all for almost 70 years and the Superman logo was the first of its kind to be created and used as a trademark symbol.
Originally making an appearance on the chest of the superhero costume in Action Comics, the logo with an ‘S’ inside a pentagon or a shield as it is often referred to has evolved and seen many variations over the years since its inception. The shield initially was believed to be akin to a police badge and shown as just a simple triangle with the ‘S’ inside. It gradually turned into an inverted triangle and later became a pentagon. The size and shape of the ‘S’ and the pentagon has also been through numerous changes. The red and yellow colors of the logo however, have more or less remained the same albeit used in different combinations sometimes with a black outline included. The red and yellow colors in the Superman logo are a representation of RAO - the red sun of Krypton, Superman`s parent planet and SOL meaning - the Sun in Latin. The ‘S’ in the logo means more than just the first letter in Superman`s name. It coincides with the creators` names and is also synonymous with savior and stopping crime .In ‘Superman: The Movie’ the ‘S’ in the Superman logo was believed to stand for Superman's S-shaped family crest a representation of the House of El rather than his name. Some claim that the alphabet is also the Kryptonian symbol of ‘hope’ and when turned upside down it means rebirth. The ‘S’ was also first introduced on the cape of the Superman costume by artist Paul Cassidy.
Although the symbol was initially considered as a less significant part of the costume, it is now instantly recognizable all over the world and did set a trend, with other super-heroes like Batman and Spiderman following suit .National Periodical Publications more commonly known as DC Comics trademarked the Superman logo in 1945. These also enabled the comics industry to license and merchandise the symbol creating a rich source of income for the industry. The trademarked version of the Superman logo first made its appearance in 1944.In ‘Superman Returns’ a plastic relief or 3-D version was used on the chest and an additional Superman logo was used on the belt as well.
Over the years the logo has become almost an iconic emblem and the combination of the symbol with the original fictional super-hero image has formed the foundation for the building and establishment of the comics and media industry. Since his debut in 1938 the basic elements of the Superman look in general and the Superman logo specifically have been in a state of flux with small adjustments and variations brought in with each fresh incarnation of the super-hero.
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