This one’s for Augie De Blieck Jr., and all of the letterers, web cartoonists and font fanatics: Writing for The Associated Press, Brian Murphy declares his love for Comic Sans — the bane of typography aficionados the world over — and profiles two people with less questionable tastes. Namely, Dave and Holly Combs, founders of BanComicSans.com:
And what, may we ask, can muster such passion against an innocent typeface? It’s simply Holly and Dave’s belief that Comic Sans is the weed of the graphic world: sprouting up everywhere and in all the wrong places.
What really sets them off is when the playful curves of Comic Sans — designed to mimic classic hand-lettered comic book text — are used for serious messages. Like a quotation from Scripture (Hebrews 6:1) on the window of a religious bookstore. Or on a funeral announcement.
They grimaced when it appeared on a flier for a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
“I’ve never had it before,” said Dave, 33. “But I bet anyone who has it wouldn’t think it was very humorous.”
“Look around,” added Holly, 30. “I mean it’s everywhere and in very inappropriate places.”
But Murphy stands by the beleaguered font, admitting he uses it to write everything. Even a book. Oh, Brian Murphy, you poor, misguided man.
July 14th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Not daily do you stumble upon useful writing like yours.