The Origin of the ‘Comic Book Font’

Vox video producer Phil Edwards investigated where the “comic book font” originated and how it has become such a universally recognized typeface throughout the years. Phil did his research and “found an aesthetic shaped by comics culture, technology, and really cheap paper.”

Comic book culture is mass culture — even lacrosse moms and field hockey dads who’ve never been in a comic book store can recognize the “comic book font.”

But calling it a font is a misnomer — as the above video shows, this distinctive style of handwriting is an aesthetic shaped by culture, technology, and really cheap paper. (read more)