The smiley face image seen throughout the book comes from a badge worn by the Comedian. It is unknown how the Comedian (Eddie Blake) first acquired the badge. In his days as a member of the Minutemen, he wore a different symbol attached to his belt buckle: a purple-red grinning face resembling a comedy mask from ancient Greek theatre. By the time Nelson Gardner attempted to recruit Blake into his new organization, the Crimebusters, Blake was wearing a new uniform without any sort of badge.