A Stamp Encore Celebration: Classic Characters
From wascally rabbits to caped crusaders
The Stamp Encore Contest has popped the cork on nostalgia, inviting collectors and fans to take another peek at designs that left a lasting impression. Last summer, voters picked their favorites from a lineup of 25 past issuances, and now the buzz is building around which designs might make a comeback.
This group of finalists shines a spotlight on animated legends and comic book heroes whose adventures have entertained generations. From mischievous antics to daring feats, these iconic characters have leapt off screens, out of comic books, and now, perhaps, into the hands of collectors once more.
Even beyond the memories they spark, these stamps prove that personality, storytelling, and a dash of imagination can fit neatly on an envelope, ready to travel the world.
Hop to It
When Bugs Bunny first hopped onto the screen, audiences immediately recognized something new. With his quick wit, calm confidence, and unmistakable Brooklyn-inflected drawl, the “wascally wabbit” broke the mold of earlier cartoon characters. Over time, Bugs became a familiar presence across movies, television, and merchandise, earning a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and securing his role as one of animation’s most enduring stars.
From his first official appearance in A Wild Hare (1940), Bugs established a style built on brains over brawn. His casual “What’s up, Doc?” — voiced by Mel Blanc — set the tone for a character who never seemed rattled, even when facing hunters, outlaws, or operatic rivals. That approachable cleverness helped make Bugs a natural fit for stamps, and in 1996 he was named the U.S. Postal Service’s “ambassador to youth,” encouraging young collectors to discover stamp collecting. The 1997 stamp captures that spirit, showing Bugs leaning on a mailbox, carrot in hand.
Across decades of cartoons, TV shows, and feature films, Bugs Bunny has remained endlessly adaptable. Whether donning disguises, conducting orchestras, or outsmarting his foes, he continues to deliver humor rooted in timing, personality, and playful invention. The result is a character whose appeal feels as fresh today as it did more than 80 years ago.
DC Super Hero Spotlight
Comic strips had already become a fixture of American newspapers by the late 19th century, but the rise of comic books in the early 1930s created space for longer, more ambitious storytelling. That evolution reached a turning point in 1938 with the introduction of Superman, created by writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster. Their early work in comics launched a new kind of hero and a cultural phenomenon.
As new DC Super Heroes emerged, Batman arriving just a year later, comic books quickly became a refuge for readers of every generation. From the start, these stories offered more than adventure; they provided a way to step outside everyday life. Even as they echoed the world’s challenges and changes, especially during World War II, comics gave fans a much needed escape and a sense of comfort, with heroes standing firm for hope and shared ideals. The medium continued to attract fans of all ages and inspired creators who continually pushed the boundaries of what comics could be.
The DC Comics Super Heroes stamp pane issued in 2006 brings that legacy together in 20 designs. Half feature iconic character portraits, while the others reproduce classic comic book covers, spotlighting figures such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, The Flash, Green Lantern, Plastic Man, and more. Together, they honor a visual art form that continues to shape the worlds of film, television, and pop culture at large.
Gotham City’s Vigilant Protector
Issued in 2014, the Batman stamps marked 75 years of the Dark Knight. Unlike many of his peers, Batman relies on intellect, discipline, and observation rather than superhuman abilities, operating from the shadows of Gotham City with a detective’s focus and a strategist’s precision.
The pane presents four versions of Batman drawn from different comic book eras. From his Golden Age beginnings under artist Bob Kane through later transformations in the Silver, Bronze, and Modern Ages, the stamps show how both character and style have shifted over time.
Each design highlights elements that have come to define Batman visually: the cape and cowl, the Bat emblem, the utility belt, and the dramatic silhouette. Together, they depict not just a costumed hero, but a figure whose sense of justice and vigilance continues to captivate readers and viewers alike.
Diana, Amazon and Warrior
The 2016 Wonder Woman stamps celebrate 75 years of a hero who reshaped expectations from her very first appearance. Introduced during World War II, Wonder Woman's Woman’s core values include truth, strength, and compassion.
The pane features four portrayals of the Amazonian princess from different comic book eras, emphasizing both her physical power and her sense of purpose. A bold comic book–style power burst in the selvage reinforces the dynamic energy that has always characterized her stories.
Tracing Diana Prince’s evolution from her Golden Age origins, when creator William Moulton Marston imagined her as an ambassador from a hidden island of Amazons, Themyscira, the stamps highlight key elements of her visual identity: the star-spangled costume, bulletproof bracelets, golden lasso, and, in later eras, her mighty hammer. Together, they honor a hero whose influence extends far beyond the page.
From Fan Favorite to Center Stage?
From Bugs Bunny’s easygoing cleverness to the larger-than-life presence of DC Super Heroes, these Stamp Encore selections show how familiar characters have entertained generations and captured the imagination of fans young and old.
The excitement is about to reach a whole new level. The winning design remains a total secret: no previews, no leaks, just a mystery that won’t be solved until the big reveal at the Boston 2026 World Expo, keeping collectors buzzing until May.
The stamps featured here give a taste of what makes these characters so memorable. Each design is packed with personality, the very reason collectors fell in love with them and why the Encore winner has everyone on the edge of their seats.