Scream Magazine Front Cover Analysis

The first thing that catches my eye, as it should, is the masthead 'SCREAM' in big bold block capitals, the bright white on the dark backdrop helps it stand out over anything else on the vibrant cover. Also the font used has a dripping effect, perhaps it is to represent dripping blood, like the masthead has been smeared on with blood. Usually the masthead font colour is red, again representing blood but this particular issue needed to make it white for it wouldn't have stood out from the background. The main image is horror icon 'Freddy Krueger' from the 1984 film 'A Nightmare on Elm Street', he is looking straight at the camera making direct address with the readers. Using this iconic character on the front cover would be good for marketing, many people know who he is, especially horror lovers and hopefully it would bring in more circulation and generate more interest. The main article font, like the masthead stands out, the messy gritty bold red text catches your eye straight away. 'ROBERT ENGLUND SPEAKS OUT' is smartly placed beneath the main article, Robert Englund is the actor who plays Freddy Krueger and by saying that he speaks out will generate interest from readers and fans for they will want to find out what he is speaking out about, it is a key marketing tool, make the reader question. Also his general look catches your eye, the burnt flesh and snarl he has on his face goes very well with the genre of the magazine and the rest of the cover. The slogan is situated above the masthead and it reads 'BLOOD, GUTS, GORE & MORE!' having it in capitals with a yellow box surrounding it helps it stand out from the rest of the colour scheme which is primarily black, white and red, the rhyming scheme used as well makes it a sort of catchy jingle that you will remember, very effective for it sticks in the readers head. Like any other magazine the sell lines are convenietly placed around the main article and main image, none of these titles are really mainstream horror films, when you compare them to the likes of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' but despite being a international magazine it is not widely sold and is mainly sold in the US. Nevertheless it would still appeal to horror fans. The specific words use also are enticing to readers, 'BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW' cleverly picked to appeal to readers, even the font looks scratched and worn. The general colour scheme is dark at gritty, primarily consisting of black, white and red. The odd bit of yellow font or yellow backing helps articles stand out from the clustered look. There are so many things to look at that catch your eye on this cover, perhaps that represents the horror genre, everything jumping out at you, messy like the victims in a horror film. The red clearly representing blood and black is commonly associated with dark things, the evil side of life, the unknown.