Basic Comparator Question
simulate this circuit &ndash; Schematic created using CircuitLab

Figure 1. A standard inverting common-emitter transistor amplifier. This is not what the LT1011 symbol is depicting.

You are confusing the output of the comparitor with the inverting common emitter amplifier which does invert. The comparitor schematic symbol and operation is the same as that of the opamp and the output goes high when \$ V_+ &gt; V_- \$ - i.e., the transistor turns off.

In this case the transistor symbol is added as a reminder to the use that the output is open-collector and that a pull-up is required for that reason. A look at the datasheet confirms that.



The open-collector output gives flexibility in, for example, ORing the outputs of multiple comparitors as shown in the Window Detector example. (The output will be pulled low if \$ V_{IN} &gt; HL\$ OR \$ V_{IN} &lt; LL \$.)



The datasheet goes on to explain the output stage as follows. Note the rather unusual feature (in Figure 5) that the emitter of Q2 has its own output pin so that the load can be pulled to a voltage other than \$ V^- \$.


  In the “off” state, I1 is switched off and both Q1 and Q2 
  turn off. The collector of Q2 can be now held at any voltage 
  above V– without conducting current, including voltages 
  above the positive supply level. Maximum voltage above 
  V– is 50V for the LT1011M and 40V for the LT1011C/I. 
  The  emitter  can  be  held  at  any  voltage  between  V+
  and V– as long as it is negative with respect to the collector. 
  
  In the “on” state, I1 is connected, turning on Q1 and Q2. 
  Diodes D1 and D2 prevent deep saturation of Q 2 to improve
  speed and also limit the drive current of Q1. The R1/R2 
  divider sets the saturation voltage of Q2 and provides turn-
  off drive. Either the collector or emitter pin can be held at 
  a voltage between V+ and V–. This allows the remaining 
  pin to drive the load. In typical applications, the emitter is 
  connected to V– or ground and the collector drives a load 
  tied to V+ or a separate positive supply.