Slab Contrasted Howo 9 is a very bold, normal width, medium contrast, italic, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Bullpen' by Typodermic (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, sports branding, packaging, logos, sporty, poster, retro, assertive, energetic, impact, speed, display emphasis, brand presence, headline clarity, slab serif, wedge serif, bracketed, angular, compact.
A heavy, right-leaning slab serif with compact proportions and strongly bracketed, blocky serifs. Strokes are thick with noticeable internal contrast, especially where curves transition into verticals, and terminals often finish in sharp, angled cuts. The italic construction is more than a simple slant: counters, joins, and diagonals are shaped to keep the rhythm consistent at a steep angle, producing a punchy, forward-leaning texture. Lowercase forms are sturdy and rounded where needed, with tight apertures and robust joins that hold up at display sizes.
Best suited to large-scale typography such as headlines, posters, sports-related branding, and bold editorial callouts where the italic momentum and slab serifs can do the heavy lifting. It can also work for logo wordmarks and packaging that need a strong, energetic voice, while extended paragraphs may feel visually insistent due to the weight and dense texture.
The overall tone feels bold, athletic, and slightly vintage, with a confident, “headline-first” presence. Its pronounced slabbing and aggressive italic angle create a sense of speed and impact, making it read as energetic and attention-grabbing rather than subtle or neutral.
The design appears intended to combine the authority of a slab serif with the urgency of a strong italic, yielding a display face that reads quickly and projects impact. Its bracketed slabs and angled terminals suggest a deliberate balance between classic, print-rooted forms and a modern, kinetic rhythm.
Spacing appears built for display: dense black shapes and prominent serifs create a strong horizontal cadence in lines of text. The numerals and capitals carry a consistent, industrial sturdiness, while the angled cuts and bracketing keep the forms from feeling purely geometric.