Stumped by Comic ___? We’ve Got the Answer!

As an expert in typography, I can tell you that the answer to the crossword clue “Comic ___ (oft-mocked typeface)” is SANS.

SANS is a typeface category that is characterized by its lack of serifs. Serifs are the small lines or features that extend from the ends of the strokes that make up the letters in a typeface.

Comic SANS is a specific typeface within the SANS category that is often mocked for its informal style and overuse in inappropriate contexts, such as formal documents or professional settings. It was created in 1994 by Vincent Connare as a font for speech bubbles in a Microsoft software package called Microsoft Bob, which was intended for novice computer users.

Despite its criticism, SANS is a versatile typeface category that is popular in contemporary design, particularly for digital applications. Its legibility and clean appearance make it functional in a variety of contexts, from user interfaces to headlines to branding.

So, in conclusion, SANS is the typeface category that describes a font without serifs, and Comic SANS is a specific, oft-mocked member of that category.