'Empire' Magazine Covers

The front cover of any Empire magazine issue, will include a masthead (the title: Empire) and a central image. This image could be one or several of the characters from the film that Empire is promoting/ reviewing that month. More often or not the central image will include the characters looking directly at the camera; this is known as direct mode of address. This device is used to draw people into buying the magazine, by looking directly at the reader it makes them feel connected to the character/characters on the cover; they also stand out more when surrounded around other magazines. Another feature they include is their slogan written underneath or on top of the masthead. The slogan will normally be placed on the left side of the cover and not be bigger than the ‘EM’ letters of the masthead. This can be seen on the covers above apart from the ‘Joker’ edition, this is due to the fact that the cover is intended to give the impression that it was designed by the ‘Joker’ himself. In addition to the slogan they will also include their website which will be no bigger than ‘E’ and ending of the ‘R’ of the masthead. Unlike the slogan the website will only be under the masthead.

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After their traditional features, the cover will also include additional features and/or articles placed around the edges. One of the techniques they frequently use is having featured articles down the side of either the right or left side of the cover. They will either be written in a coloured text box, with a contrasting colour for the text or they will be written boldly and directly onto the cover. Traditionally, above these featured articles they will include a + sign, this can be seen on the ‘Joker’ edition of Empire magazine. Furthermore, they also include further featured articles; if they include pictures and colours and go across the bottom of cover they are known as poofs or a banner. If they are at the top of the cover and do not include a lot of information they are classed as EARS.

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For my Empire cover, I have decided to include a central image of the main character Mary-Alice; she will be using the direct mode of address and will also be beaten up. The direct mode of address and the physical distress of the character will make her appear vulnerable and draw the reader in as they will want to help this poor girl. I will also include for the EARS of the cover a claim of some feature that is included within the magazine. Two features articles down the left side of the cover, both underneath each other. I will also use a small flash, on the right side of the cover. It will be in the shape of a circle and in the colour yellow.