Looking for cover art feedback

[Lemurion]

Here's the art I just commissioned for the cover to Doc Vandal book one.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

[gmw]

I like the image, though it looks a bit cramped sitting there on its own without title and author etc. That is: as a stand alone image it looks cut off, but once it turns into a cover it may not look that way; the overall effect is difficult to judge when such important parts are missing.

I like that it is similar in content to the existing cover, it should be less of a surprise to existing readers. I think the new image is much better than the existing cover, but the existing cover is let down as much by the text as by the image - so you still have a lot of work to do

[Dr. Drib]

For me, there's not enough variation in that zeppelin coming at me. I would much perfer a 3/4 side shot - or something similar.

Also, I would like to see the typography layout, along with that logo you mentioned in your other thread, in order to get a full sense of the cover.

Thanks!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

Here's the art I just commissioned for the cover to Doc Vandal book one.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

I feel as though the creator of the art didn't think about it being used as a book cover, and didn't leave enough space for the title/byline in the lighter yellow/gold sky.

Also, I agree with Drib: there's too little differentiation between the volcano and the flying machine (which is giving me Buster Crabbe/Buck Rogers/Flash Gordon/40's-50's serials vibes, which I'm certain is intentional--I love it!). I like the look of the machine, but it's blending into the mountain. Not good at all, at thumbnail, which is, after all, your clickbait.

Hope that helps.

Hitch

[WitchWayBooks]

i like the design of the cover would like to see it completed, but it does convey a old action series look to it.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by WitchWayBooks

i like the design of the cover would like to see it completed, but it does convey a old action series look to it.

I wonder if the flying machine were a platinum/silvery color, or even a beaten copper color--something to set it apart from the exploding Volcano--if that would help. It needs a) contrast and b) a way for the flying machine to be discernible at thumbnail size.

I do like most of it, just a few small tweaks.

Hitch

[dwig]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I wonder if the flying machine were a platinum/silvery color, or even a beaten copper color--something to set it apart from the exploding Volcanoe--if that would help. It needs a) contrast and b) a way for the flying machine to be discernible at thumbnail size.

I do like most of it, just a few small tweaks.

Hitch

I agree. Shadows are too dark and the airship is too similar, in color and tone, to the volcano.

Perhaps, something in this direction:

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by dwig

I agree. Shadows are too dark and the airship is too similar, in color and tone, to the volcano.

Perhaps, something in this direction:

YES. Something very much like that. :-)

Hey, Lemurion--why don't you take it over to CoverCritics.com, and see what the gang over there says? Maybe they can help.

Hitch

[Doitsu]

@Lemurion: The cover image reminded me a lot of the Dianetics cover, which is probably not what you want.

Spoiler:

You might want to pick a different theme.

[Dr. Drib]

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[Dr. Drib]

Doitsu has a point. Go here for a look:

https://www.google.com.pe/search?q=D...hCjs8b7_4b53M:

[Lemurion]

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry I haven't been around here to respond but I've been busy. I did have the image recolored a little have the airship silver and make the greenery stand out more.

It's definitely supposed to have that 1930s adventure serial look so that's a positive. Sadly, I'm not sure what I can do with the whole Dianetics thing except totally redo the cover and I'm not sure I have the budget for that.

As for the text, I should have that in a few days.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry I haven't been around here to respond but I've been busy. I did have the image recolored a little have the airship silver and make the greenery stand out more.

It's definitely supposed to have that 1930s adventure serial look so that's a positive. Sadly, I'm not sure what I can do with the whole Dianetics thing except totally redo the cover and I'm not sure I have the budget for that.

As for the text, I should have that in a few days.

That's definitely a big improvement. Perhaps if you go for that 30's Serial-Adventure thing in the fonts, too, the unfortunate Dianetics feel/similarity will fade into the background. Can't wait to see it, truly.

Hitch

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry I haven't been around here to respond but I've been busy. I did have the image recolored a little have the airship silver and make the greenery stand out more.

It's definitely supposed to have that 1930s adventure serial look so that's a positive. Sadly, I'm not sure what I can do with the whole Dianetics thing except totally redo the cover and I'm not sure I have the budget for that.

As for the text, I should have that in a few days.

Present the Dianetics cover and the current cover from that artist and tell him it's too close for comfort and that you need a new cover - without an additional charge.

Be nice and see how the artist responds. If he comes across as an asshole or a jerk - you know the type, don't you? - then I would say it's time to sever business relations with him on future projects.

[ZodWallop]

I think you guys are overstating the importance of the Dianetics resemblance. Yeah, any image of an exploding volcano is likely trigger a minor 'Hey! Dianetics!' thought in people of a certain age, but nobody is likely to confuse the two.

I very much like the (recolored) image for a pulp adventure cover.