It’s a celebration of something we’ve waited decades for…
The wait was long and the wait was short. For decades, fans in the know have wanted the famed DC Comics Style Guide, first issued in 1982 with art mostly by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Dick Giordano, to be released commercially.
Finally, this past May, we found out it was coming from Brooklyn boutique publisher Standards Manual, under license from DC. And there was much rejoicing throughout the land. The book was anticipated for summertime but, as they often do, delays set in, largely because Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reed of Standards Manual are pesky perfectionists. (Their primary business is graphic design and if you know anyone who’s really talented in that field, then you know they are all that way.)
So there was some wringing of teeth and gnashing of hands among segments of fandom, but lo, the book is out — and just in time for the holidays. Looking back, it all happened in only eight months. That’s practically overnight for a publication like this.
My own copy
I’m deeply gratified to have been part of the project. I interviewed Garcia-Lopez and the Guide’s original project manager, Mary Moebus Yedlin, and ended up helping out on other aspects of the book. Seeing myself listed as “technical advisor” is mind-blowing in a way I cannot quite describe. (Click here for that interview!)
But that’s of little consequence. What’s important is that we finally have a version of the 1982 DC Comics Style Guide in our hands. (I say “a version” because finding a definitive copy is exceedingly difficult. It was a looseleaf and there were many updates, so merchandisers and others who actually utilized the guide routinely swapped pages in and out.) And seeing readers so excited that they’ve been posting photos of theirs on Facebook — 13 examples below — has been a wonderful celebration of the artistry of a bygone era that nevertheless endures to this day.
I hope you enjoy your copy as much as I enjoy mine.
Artist June Brigman, who wrote “Merry Christmas to me!”
13th Dimension Contributor-at-Large Scott Tipton
David Ace Gutierrez
Letterer Taylor Esposito
Robert Jacobs
Nicholas Lucero
Jeff Dyer
Rod Pellegrini
Daniel Klos
Ryan Francis
Jon Bravo
Tom Patrick
Artist Joe Corroney
—
MORE
— JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ Reflects on the DC COMICS STYLE GUIDE: ‘Thrilled My Work Is Still Alive.’ Click here.
— HERE IT IS! Your EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK at the 1982 DC COMICS STYLE GUIDE Hardcover. Click here.
December 21, 2024
My wife said that, since it was a present for myself, I couldn’t put it under the tree for Christmas. Oh, well. So, I made a fire in the fireplace, made myself a margarita, and sat in an armchair for 90 minutes perusing each beautiful page as if it were a medieval manuscript. Stunning work, full of surprises–great logos! sexy superheroines! Red Tornado!–and even the text intros to each character were a delight. Congrats to you and the Standards Manual crew! Best book Christmas present–no matter what my wife thinks–since Jules Feiffer’s The Great Comic Book Heroes back in 1965!
December 21, 2024
I was hoping we’d get a chance to see folks’ various collections in the background of the pix. That would have been really cool. I’m still working on plans for displaying my edition properly in my library.
December 21, 2024
My copy arrived today, and it’s…MAGNIFICENT!
And thank you Dan Greenfield for your part in this endeavor!
December 21, 2024
Thank you, Doug! Enjoy!
December 22, 2024
The wait is not over here in Idaho. They’re now saying January. Sigh.
December 22, 2024
Congratulations to everyone who got their copy of the ’82 DC Comics Style Guide!
December 23, 2024
Because of your enthusiasm, articles and screenshots, I caved in and ordered one! Hopefully will be here in January. This will go along nicely with the DC Vault, the Taschen DC books and the first Who’s Who series.