creating a graphic novel front page
TRANSCRIPT
Learning Aims
• MUST be able to create cover art for your graphic novel
• SHOULD be able to create a cover that reflects your story
• COULD create a professional cover
What makes a great cover? Discuss
• Should engage the audience
• Should tell part of the story
• Protagonist on the cover
• Creates intrigue
• Great typography
It sells the comic to the audience.
Good Versus Evil
• A single powerful image of protagonist Vs antagonist
• Very typical and often seen, possibly easiest to hint as the purpose of your graphic novel.
• Usually takes place in an interesting location
Heroic Pose
• The main character is posed with some attitude
• Often leaping towards the audience, or standing with strength
• Another typical comic cover but less effective for selling the story of the comic.
• Great for returning audiences who might want to read about the character.
Unusual situation
• The hero is shown in some unlikely situation
• The aim to stimulate the customers curiosity
• This could be a threatening situation, a comedy situation, etc.
Involvement
• The audience must feel like they are part of the action.
• The use of composition lighting and colour can help focus the reader on certain parts of the cover.
Design
• The design must be immediately intriguing
• You should tell a story in one image
• This could be told through character poses and actions, dialogue (although not typically on a cover), the location and background, or a facial expression.
Curiosity
• The situation should pose a question in the customers mind
• It should encourage them to read more and resolve their questions by reading the graphic novel.
Conflict
• The essence of drama is in conflict
• Your cover should pose some element of conflict from your story.
Danger
• Danger might not be the same as conflict, it can be mortal or social.
• The hero might be hanging from a ledge or about to have his secrets revealed.
Impact
• The reader should understand the basis of the story instantly from the cover.
• The impact is lost if the audience have to wade through 75 pages to find out what is going on..