|
Post by mattofthespurs on Oct 29, 2009 13:48:37 GMT
For what it's worth (which is absolutely nothing); I like the cover but it doesn't say Pan Book Of Horror Stories to me (except the wording which says exactly that). To me PboHS is the 70's. Slightly cheesy. Bats, graveyards, headstones, spiders, skulls, black cats... If anything the cover, imo, looks too sophisticated. I don't know if that makes any sense. Wouldn't stop me from purchasing a copy of course but I assumed the intention was for this volume to fit in amongst the original 30 volumes, to pay hommage. Of course the typeset of the original 7 or 8 volumes would make a huge difference, as would not having a border around the picture. I only offer this thoughts because you asked. I have no background in design or pretend to know anything about the subject. The only thing I do know is what I like and although I like the image it doesn't say Pan horror to me.
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 29, 2009 14:07:25 GMT
I like it. I spent about an hour trying to match the picture along side early covers but I couldn't upload the results. It seems to fit with some of the other images but what was critical was the format of the text and the size of the box. if that was sorted I think it would work.
Alternatively throw tomato sauce at it
|
|
|
Post by andydecker on Oct 29, 2009 16:00:50 GMT
I don´t have any investment in the old Pan books, so I don´t have to compare it I like it, but it is very - what is the right word? - distinguished? Ernest? This is just an impression, and not a negative one. I like the somber colouring, and thank god it conveys the message HORROR and not the weasely "Dark Fantasy". This is really a plus. The picture is not one of those photoshop horrors so current today, but the real thing. another big plus! But as classy as this is, you do realize that it will set a standard and the next ones will be much harder to do? This particulary picture blends very well with the text and all. I could imagine that other pictures would be more difficult to work with. I will buy it
|
|
|
Post by killercrab on Oct 30, 2009 3:43:19 GMT
I think because the image is such a sombre affair - the text needs a kick in the pants to give the cover some oomphh! I think it's definitely on the right track as when I think of Pans it's ultimately the cover *photos* books that scream Pan Horror! This painting being quite naturalistic fits that - it's just lacking in shelf presence. Find a better typecase is my advice and don't be scared to make the typeface bigger!
ade
|
|
|
Post by allthingshorror on Oct 30, 2009 6:58:30 GMT
cheers all - some brilliant comments there - I'm just waiting for one of my wife's work friends who is a photoshop genuis to see if he can clone the typeface from the Pan's - circa volume 14 - and if so, that's what will be going in its stead. I think the interlinked O's are a nice touch though. And it's no surprise, but I'm going to try to make at least my money back on this book - and not everyone will have heard of the Pan Horrors, so I don't want to chase everyone away with a totally grim cover. Those'll come later...
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Oct 30, 2009 11:48:17 GMT
i think the typeface and the exact setting of the cover comes first: then you'll see if the picture meets the desires of the critics, not an enviable task I'm afraid
|
|
|
Post by allthingshorror on Nov 2, 2009 21:06:49 GMT
What about this then Craig? still needs to be tightened and cleaned up - but I'm much happier....
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Nov 2, 2009 21:52:00 GMT
Love the title. Love the picture itself.
Pedantry follows. as far as I can see the box should be surrounded by a thin white line in which there should be more black and not what looks like yellow. (I'm talking about the frame
For what it's worth (which is absolutely nothing) (MATTOFTHESPURS)
best quote in a while.
In most of the later pan photos (not the early firsts) there is direct horror or terror or both. (boiled, decomposing, melting people etcetera) The portrait looks like something that would frighten a Kafka reader, not someone with the mental age of a ten year old.(Me)
Now having said all that. Its a great picture and it covers the concept of being back from the dead and it is also contemporaneous.
Also it suggests an attempt to legitimize in a reverential manner the work. What it is not in all honesty is catchy like say the trailer for Indiana Jones or the FCUK teeshirt logo.
A worrying thing to me is that I'd quite like to be in that kind of anthology and I'm a bit of a dullard when it comes to blood and guts horror.
On the whole I still might throw some tomato sauce on it purely on the grounds that picture should in some way advance the concept 'Back from the Dead" and I'm not sure it does enough
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Nov 2, 2009 21:53:34 GMT
rereading my encyclopedic comments I feel |I haven't emphasised enough that I like it.
|
|
|
Post by marksamuels on Nov 3, 2009 0:02:38 GMT
The cover's growing on me. At first I thought something more frenzied might be in order, but times change I suppose, so I can see why a little restraint works better.
Mark S.
|
|
|
Post by allthingshorror on Dec 19, 2009 15:35:51 GMT
The book's made SFX! And in the March issue - out in Febuary, there will be a two page spread on the Pan Horror history by yours truly!
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Dec 19, 2009 15:38:41 GMT
Let me be the first to pat you on the back. (I will remove the knife from my hand first)
|
|
|
Post by marksamuels on Dec 19, 2009 18:36:33 GMT
Nice one, Johnny.
Onwards and upwards...
Mark S.
|
|
|
Post by allthingshorror on Jan 10, 2010 13:40:47 GMT
Here you go friends - the finished cover (ISBN is a mock up - till I finalise it..)
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 11, 2010 14:03:02 GMT
Excitement builds. Good article by the way Johnny.
The cover is growing on me and the little details are drawing it line with the old classics. I'd still be tempted to throw a bit of tomato sauce or grave mould over the front but over all it looks pretty dandy and I can understand not wishing to interfere with the original art.
|
|