I think that I made a big mistake. No, not getting into comics in the first place. Take this seriously!
I have always tried to step back from the "action cover" and instead use interesting covers with the action inside to say "These books are fun but we don't have to use the old type covers"
I tried it with D-Gruppe and the covers got some great feedback but they did not attract sales and that is what they are supposed to do -draw in the buyer and make me money so I can leave the tins of Baked Beans in the cupboard. But I think comic people want "the goods" on the cover rather like this from John Byrne.
Yep. But there are reasons for both.,.however a dynamic colorful action packed cover can be a plus... However - for example, Everything Is Under Control is the perfect cover - paint it BLACK ..... TTFN
ReplyDeleteYeah those covers work. I think the one for Osaka Brutal works. Masked Marshal and Ace Hart -colourful enough and eye grabbing but it seems The Green Skies and Return of the Gods and Cross Earths caper might -MIGHT- have attracted more interest with action on the covers. The small press people do not like the "too professional looking" books and the comic people can't seem to see past a cover that is not super heroes fighting on them even though those books go beyond super heroes!
ReplyDeleteGood points -- the cover has to reflect ( some ) of the content..... just think about the ol' Gernsback pulp covers... they sometimes had nothing to do with the contents of the magazine at all ! But still - comics should be fun ( unless they are as dark as all hell... Under Control.,.) colourful, exciting and interesting ....have fun squaring that circle ! TTFN .... oh, by the by, I thought the Green Skies covers were cool, enigmatic and trippy... a thumbs up !
ReplyDeleteJust did a couple posts on D-Gruppe -you can get to the blog via the Black Tower Comics and Books link on the blog roll.
DeleteWe live in an age when characters that have nothing to do with the story or comic turn up on the cover of a series -Marvel has done this to excess as it tries to run itself further in to the ground. The old pulps had great covers and a lot had nothing to do with the contents -eye-catching art which is why it was used to pull in punters. The Green Skies covers I wanted to be distinctive or at least have people ask "What the heck is this?" but... Women scantily clad, heaving cleavage and soft porn inspired poses. THAT is what the masses want! I think Japanese Manga has been catering for that as well for a very long time!
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