Whether it’s gathering the courage to pop the question or showing superhero strength when you walk the down aisle, many people want to feel like Superman or Wonder Woman when it comes to marriage—and that’s where the new partnership between DC Comics and Manly Bands comes in.
Manly Bands helped DC Comics create its first line of wedding rings based on the brand’s most popular characters, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Bruce Wayne, the Joker, the Flash, and Aquaman. These six rings came out in late April, and the collaboration is one of the most important brand partnerships Manly Bands has had to date, officials say.
“For DC, all of the credit goes to our outstanding products and marketing teams, who’ve been working tirelessly to secure relationships with some of the top brands of our time,” says Michelle Luchese, cofounder and co-CEO of Manly Bands. “Our team has been working with our partners at Warner Bros. to create a ring collection worthy of the DC Comic characters themselves, and I think they’ve done just that.”
Some of the designs are subtle, like that of the Aquaman, which features a strip of abalone shell along with moody blues and greens. The ring’s interior is engraved with Aquaman’s spearhead and is easily visible in green cerakote. Other rings are more whimsical, like the Flash, whose band has an asymmetrical red “flash” across it and a 14 ct. gold inside with the Flash emblem etched in.
The real standouts are the Joker, which is made with Damascus steel and features a dramatic band of green and purple cerakote, and the Bruce Wayne, a nod to Batman’s alter ego that has a ring of 0.02 ct. t.w. black diamonds that shine out against a gray background. The latter’s interior features the Batman logo, which gives the ring a feeling of luxury and secrecy—something Bruce Wayne might admire.
Jenny Hori, who handles product licensing and partnerships for the Utah-based brand, says she felt a bit like a superhero getting this collection to fruition.
“One of my favorite things about licensing has always been, and always will be, the emotional connection that we have with our favorite characters,” Hori says. “The partnership with Warner Bros. has allowed us to bring those characters to life through elevated designs.”
Manly Bands prides itself on “standing apart of traditional jewelry stores,” says Johnathan Ruggiero, Manly Bands’ cofounder and co-CEO. So having these iconic brands for customers is an ideal way to get people excited about the rings they wear.
“The personalities, abilities, and ethos of each character inspired the materials, colors, and components of each ring,” Ruggiero says. “Any true fan of DC Comics is going to appreciate the thought and love that went into these designs.… We always tell our customers to find a wedding band that suits your personality, and by working with these iconic brands, Manly Bands is able to craft designs that our customers can connect with, no matter their preferences.”
Manly Bands also has partnerships with name-brand companies such as Fender, the famous guitar and amp maker, and Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Luchese and Ruggiero say there are additional brand and material launches coming later this year as well.
Top: Manly Bands recently introduced its new DC Comics collection with rings such as the standout Joker band, which lets you feel like a dark villain without having to follow through; $995. (All photos courtesy of Manly Bands.)
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