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Frank Castle did it in the first of the recent Punisher movies:

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Batman in The Dark Knight Rises:

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Let's not forget Matt Murdock's tag in Daredevil the movie:

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Are there more cases of this in film and TV? Is it a just a trope, or just a coincidence? Or are any of these films paying homage to a predecessor?

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  • Sounds POB to me. I almost DVed you for not starting with a flaming crow. Then I began to wonder who did it first, which might be a better question. Also, are we talking about comic books or movies? Personally, I'd prefer screen adaptations only. – Mazura Oct 7 '16 at 3:23
  • There's a site dedicated to compiling tropes. Social terms for it aren't terribly opinion based, we come to an agreement. I did mean super heroes. Film and Tv, yes. I can update. I tried tagging but there's not proper ones – user31178 Oct 7 '16 at 3:37
  • Eric Draven did it first in The Crow. – Omegacron Oct 7 '16 at 15:22
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Definition of a trope by Merriam-Webster:

Full Definition of trope. 1a : a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech b : a common or overused theme or device

The "Flaming Emblem" entry under TV Tropes for when a character has their logo recreated using fire of some sort has 6 different entries under film including: your 3 examples, Eric Draven in "The Crow", a V made of fireworks for "V for Vendetta", and the Zorro 'Z' in "The Mask of Zorro".

Using Merriam-Webster's definition, I wouldn't really call it a trope yet, but I also wouldn't call it a coincidence. I would imagine multiple directors saw the idea and wanted to create something similar.

But then again it's listed in TV Tropes so take that as you will.

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  • Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is... {flink} – Mazura Oct 7 '16 at 3:16
  • I seem to recall some disdain for TDKR's use of this? Perhaps that starts the overused stage? – user31178 Oct 7 '16 at 3:39

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