The iconic skull logo and mascot famously linked with the Misfits has a rich history that extends far beyond the inception of the legendary punk band itself — tracing back to the chilling horror films of the 1940s.

What Influenced The Creation Of The Misfits’ Skull Logo?

Often referred to as the “fiend,” and recognized by many as “the crimson ghost,” the true origin of the Misfits’ skull logo is better identified by its latter name. This emblem captures the essence of horror and punk culture.

The Crimson Ghost was a thrilling 12-chapter film serial that premiered in 1946, long before the band released their groundbreaking debut album, Walk Among Us, over 35 years later.

The plot revolves around a nefarious criminal mastermind, known as The Crimson Ghost, who is on a relentless pursuit to obtain a device called the Cyclotrode. This contraption is rumored to possess the capability to disable every electrical current worldwide, making it a formidable invention.

If this narrative rings a bell, it’s worth noting that it gets a nod in a Misfits song from 1997 that shares the same name.

By the time the Misfits released the track “Crimson Ghost,” they had been showcasing their logo inspired by the film for almost two decades. This particular song featured on their album American Psycho, which also included titles influenced by various horror films.

The Misfits’ Fiend Club, a dedicated fan club, was established in 1979. That same year, the band unveiled their single “Horror Business,” marking the first occasion that the fiend logo was integrated into their promotional artwork.

What Makes The Crimson Ghost A Unique Logo Choice?

The crimson ghost logo undeniably reigns supreme when associated with The Misfits. It symbolizes not just the band, but also an entire era of punk music that resonates with fans around the world.

However, when we reflect on the film that served as its inspiration, the crimson ghost might appear somewhat comical by today’s standards.

The Crimson Ghost made its debut in 1946, during a period when cinematic effects were far less sophisticated than they are in modern cinema.

The character is depicted wearing a skeleton mask and gloves that resemble costumes you might find in the clearance section of a Halloween store today, which adds a layer of humor to the horror.

What makes it even more entertaining is witnessing interactions between characters in the film, who treat the ghost as if his outlandish skeleton disguise is perfectly normal while he unveils his sinister plans.

What Are The Legal Challenges Surrounding The Fiend Logo?

In contemporary times, the use of the fiend skull is meticulously protected by the Misfits team, resulting in numerous legal disputes, including some that have arisen among the band members themselves.

In 2014, Glenn Danzig initiated a lawsuit against bassist Jerry Only for various infringements, claiming that Only misused Misfits trademarks and logos when he formed a new version of the band without Danzig’s involvement. The lawsuit included claims concerning Only’s use of the skull derived from the 1946 movie.

The two parties eventually reached a settlement, allowing Danzig to join Only on stage as part of The Original Misfits in 2016. However, this resolution did not put an end to the ongoing legal battles regarding the logo’s usage.

In 2020, the Misfits filed a lawsuit against Abrams Books, the publisher behind the 2019 visual history book Scream With Me: The Enduring Legacy of the Misfits.

The legal action claimed that Abrams had utilized the fiend skull in the book without obtaining permission from Misfits AD, the company created by Danzig and Only after their reunion in 2016.

According to a report from Bloomberg Law, the band withdrew the lawsuit just five months after it was filed, highlighting the complexities of copyright and trademark issues in the music industry.