View source for Comic Sans

{{Short description|Typeface by Microsoft in 1994}}
{{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'')}}
{{Infobox font
| name = Comic Sans MS
| image = ComicSansSpec3.svg
| style = [[Sans-serif]], [[Script (typefaces)|script]]
| creationdate = {{start date and age|1994|10}}
| releasedate = 
| creator = [[Vincent Connare]]
| foundry = [[Microsoft]]
| latin = yes
| greek = yes
| cyrillic = yes
| sample = [[File:Comic Sans sample.svg|200px|class=skin-invert-image]]
}}

<!-- Please don't change the page font to Comic Sans -->'''Comic Sans MS''' 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 Microsoft's software, and since then has become widely recognized for its use in casual contexts such as [[Children's literature|children's books]], [[Document|personal documentation]] and in [[Instructional materials|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=[[The Guardian]]|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>

The typeface was first introduced with [[Microsoft Windows]] as a part of the [[Microsoft Plus!|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.<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>

Comic Sans has however become a cultural phenomenon, in part due to gaining significant criticism and mockery for its perceived overusage 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=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|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 typeface continues to hold a [[cult following]], particularly among education professionals and those in search of approachable and simplistic typefaces for specific uses.

== History ==
[[File:Vincent Connare Comic Sans.jpg|thumb|Vincent Connare explaining in 2009 how he came to create "the world's favourite font"]]

=== 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 [[letterer|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]]).<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 = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | publisher = [[Dow Jones & Company, Inc.]] | 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 Microsoft Bob, and the typeface would go unreleased until the programmers of [[3D Movie Maker]], 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 [[pop-up window]]s 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 [[Original equipment manufacturer|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 (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]] or [[Linux]].<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 iOS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/fonts/system-fonts/|title=System Fonts - Fonts - Apple Developer|website=developer.apple.com}}</ref>

===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 [[Swash (typography)|swashes]], [[small capitals]], extra ornaments and symbols including speech bubbles, onomatopoeia and [[dingbat]]s, as well as [[text figures]] 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 [[Ascender Corporation|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.<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>

The italicized variant later appeared in [[Windows 8]].<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==
[[File:Street-defibrillator (cropped).jpg|thumb|A [[defibrillator]] 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, [[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 (TV special)|The Decision]]''. The majority owner of the team (at the time), [[Dan Gilbert (businessman)|Dan Gilbert]], reacted by posting a letter to [[Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry|Cavalier]] 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=[[NBA.com]] |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 [[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".<ref>[https://www.binnenlandsbestuur.nl/bestuur-en-organisatie/omstreden-gedenksteen-geffen-comic-sans-letters-uitgevoerd Remembering the dead with Comic Sans letters]  (''in Dutch''), ''Binnenlands Bestuur''</ref><ref>[https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/48879/War-Memorial-Geffen.htm War Memorial Geffen], ''Traces of War''</ref>

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.<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 [[2015 Polish presidential election|the presidential elections in Poland]], the dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration of [[Jagiellonian University|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.<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 [[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.<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 [[Pedro Aguirre Cerda]] was inaugurated in [[Santiago]]. The [[commemorative plaque]] 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=[[Radio Bío-Bío]] |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 [[United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|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 M. Dowd|John Dowd]] 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 United Kingdom's [[Brexit]] debate, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] 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==
[[File:Font comparison of Comic Sans with Comic Neue, Candara, Trebuchet, Andika, Komika Text.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Comparison of Comic Sans, [[Comic Neue]] (an [[SIL Open Font License|open]] alternative), [[Candara]] (another "casual"<ref name="mijacobs">{{cite web |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |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), [[Trebuchet MS]] (a Windows standard font), [[Andika (typeface)|Andika]] (an open font designed for legibility), and Komika Text (a font designed for [[comic book]]s). The characters displayed are prone to legibility problems.]]

A research article published by ''[[Cognition (journal)|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.<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 [[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 ([[ITC Zapf Chancery#Variants and similar typefaces|Monotype Corsiva]], [[Haettenschweiler]], and Comic Sans Italic) than in a simpler, more traditional typeface such as [[Helvetica]].<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 [[dyslexia]].<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 [[writer's block]], claiming that its less uniform 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 [[glyph]]s (ex. the letters "b", "d", "p", and "q"), has particularly wide [[letter spacing]], and is [[Sans-serif|sans serif]]<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 [[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 (typeface)|Papyrus.]]<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 typeface.<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>

Despite its widespread use and popularity, Vincent Connare, the typeface's designer, was not paid any extra payments by Microsoft for creating Comic Sans. The only additional reward he ever received was a signed picture of [[Mickey Mouse]] from [[the Walt Disney Company]], as a token of gratitude for allowing them to use the typeface in their advertising.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loxley |first1=Simon |date=9 October 2008 |title=Meet Vincent Connare |url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/9-october-2008/meet-vincent-connare/ |website=Design Week |publisher=Interconnect IT Ltd. |access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref> Furthermore, in 2017, the designer revealed that he 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 ''[[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".<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 }}</ref> This chain of websites connects to an online merch store on [[Zazzle|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<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Comic Sans Criminal |url=https://comicsanscriminal.com/ }}</ref>

[[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 [Comic Sans] 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=[[The Guardian]]|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 ''[[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 (typeface)|Georgia]], [[Trebuchet MS]], and [[Computer Modern]]), 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 Netherlands, radio DJs Coen Swijnenberg<!--Q2331789--> 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.<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 [[Twitter]] poll held by ''[[TES (magazine)|TES]]'', 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/ }}</ref> Other reasons include:<ref name=":0"/>

* It is more [[Management of dyslexia|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. }}</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 }}</ref>

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."<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, [but] 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=[[The Independent]]|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=[[The New York Times]] |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 ''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."<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=The Establishment |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===
[[File:Vatican ATM in Latin.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The [[user interface]] for a Latin-language automated teller machine in the [[Vatican City]] uses Comic Sans for its text prompts.]]

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 2019, ''[[Fast Company]]'' writer Mark Wilson penned an emotionally charged article which shamed [[President Donald Trump]] 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 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>

Searching for 'comic sans', 'comic sans ms', or 'best font ever' on [[Google Search]] will cause the results page to be displayed entirely in Comic Sans.<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 }}</ref>

In the 2005 session of the youth [[model parliament]] in [[Ontario]], Canada, the [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party]] included the clause, "Ban the font known as Comic Sans" in an [[Omnibus bill|omnibus ban bill]].<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 [[YouTube]] content creator and musician [[Gunnarolla]], in collaboration with musician [[Andrew Huang (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.<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=[[The Guardian]] |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 [[April Fools' Day]] 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 [[Doge (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.<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, [[OpenBSD]] announced the [[LibreSSL]] 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 ''[[Undertale]]'' and its followup ''[[Deltarune]]'', the character [[Sans (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 (Undertale)|Papyrus]], in reference to [[Papyrus (typeface)|the typeface of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Bella Vanessa |last=Sotomayor |title=UNDERTALE: A Game That Is Still Amazing Today |date=December 15, 2016 |website=[[ComicsVerse]] |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>

==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=35em|
*{{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}}
* [http://www.microsoft.com/typography/web/fonts/comicsns/default.htm Connare, Vincent. "Comic Sans Background Information." Comic Sans Café.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203153419/http://www.microsoft.com/typography/web/fonts/comicsns/default.htm |date=2008-02-03 }}
* [http://www.connare.com/comic.htm Connare, Vincent. "Why Comic Sans?"] {{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}}.
* [http://www.fontmarketplace.com/images/2010FontPack.pdf Ascender 2010 Font Pack Overview with Comic Sans 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225211836/http://www.fontmarketplace.com/images/2010FontPack.pdf |date=2010-12-25 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/font-list/comic-sans-ms Comic Sans MS font family] at Microsoft Typography

{{Microsoft Windows Typefaces}}
{{OS X typefaces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Casual script typefaces]]
[[Category:Management of dyslexia]]
[[Category:Microsoft typefaces]]
[[Category:Typefaces and fonts introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Typefaces designed by Vincent Connare]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced in the 1990s]]