Basic Action Super Heroes!

So as I move forward with my plans to do some pdf publishing of my own, I contracted kroh to do some logos for me. He's done quite a few designs, but his last 2 really came out great. Not sure if he's going to make any revisions yet, but here are the two I plan on using whenever I actually get something done:





I'd love to hear what people think of them, so feel free to post comments!

My gut reaction is for the first one.

I also have to say I got an immediate deja vu moment to Robert Rodriguez' Troublemaker Studios logo.

yeah, I'm keen on the first one myself

I honestly would pass up something sporting either of those logos without ever seriously looking at it.

BeardedDork wrote:I honestly would pass up something sporting either of those logos without ever seriously looking at it.

Yeah, unless it was a death metal album or something, it looks like it's trying too hard.

You could go for a more "Ghostridery" look to make it seem more in-line with dark edgy comics. Maybe make it be silhouette of a skull on fire.

BASHMAN wrote:You could go for a more "Ghostridery" look to make it seem more in-line with dark edgy comics. Maybe make it be silhouette of a skull on fire.

Yeah, like the skull on the second picture, but have it placed behind the words, with a white shadow (instead of the flames) on the text to keep it legible.

BeardedDork wrote:I honestly would pass up something sporting either of those logos without ever seriously looking at it.

Yes. I would have to agree with BeardedDork here.
Not to be mean (in any way) but honestly, when I "read" that logo and name I think....
- mettle band
- high school fanboy
- and everything I hate about comics from the 90s and anti-heroes (Spawn, Punisher, Ghost Rider)

NOW...
If that's what you're going for (that vigilante or Iron Age or anti-hero) style with ALL of your productions. Then you are headed on a possible direction...

The key to ask with any icon/logo or image when intending it to represent a "thing" or idea (this will BE representative of all your productions) is to step back and look objectively. Ask "What do I want to convey"... take a second and literally write down the 4-5 words (adjectives) that come to mind.
Now...
Think in icons and imagery and visual symbolism.... what "things" could you show to have an audience immediately IMMEDIATELY know the word?

If you can get THAT. Plus looking good in BLACK AND WHITE alone. Then your logo can be successful.


Lastly... it has to "read". What I mean is try a "5 second& test. Print it out on a page. Not too big - maybe 1/4 or 1/2 a page. Then show it to your girlfriend or mom or a co-worker, or a teacher, etc... Count to 3-5. Then pull it away and ask them to tell you what they saw? What it said? What it made them "feel".

Don't show someone that won't give you an honest answer, USE the critiques (like this forum) and don't take it personally. It's honest. If someone doesn't like it... it's either personal opinion or they just can't "see" it. That's why it's good to get multiple opinions... sus out which is only personal (as in I hate blue, therefor I hate your logo).

Once you get the word/reaction you originally intended... you win!


I can't design what you want immediately, but I can tell you that for a comic book format - those images don't entice me to want to read or play a comic supers game thing...
As an example - I did a quick google search and found a logo that (in my humble opinion) is much MUCH closer to the comic book flavor, and still a skull with flames:



anyway...
I really like your work and replies I've read on the forums here, so I hope you take my ideas and critique in good spirits as they are intended.
My background involves logo creation and such, so I'm just going off how I approach. I could go on for hours on iconography and symbolism and logo. heheh

good luck!
-kev-