3 magazines

1. Analysis of 3 magazine
front covers
( ancillary texts )

2. Masthead
The masthead has been positioned at the top of
the page, this is the stereotypical place for almost
every magazine front cover, because of this the
readers eyes are drawn to it instantly. The font is
striking and infrequent, this connotes
unpredictability and chaos which are common
conventions of the horror genre. The magazine
name ‘FANGORIA’ can be separated into two
words FAN and GORE, this could indicate the film
that is being promoted is targeted at viewers who
are FANS of GORY films. The bright white colour
that has been chosen for the masthead could be
challenging the typical horror conventions
because white is commonly associated with
innocence and purity which do not comply with
the horror genre, however the fact that white is
such a transparent colour means it could be
foreshadowing that everything is not as it seems
and there’s no where to hide. A hint of red has
been used on the bottom of the letters ‘F’ and ‘A’,
the white top and red bottom and overall shape
of these two letters look like fangs, which are
largely related to the horror genre and it’s also a
play on the word ‘FAN’.
Barcode
Barcodes are present on the
majority of magazine covers
and FANGORIA has followed
this convention by having it
positioned on the left hand
side.

3. Main Image
This magazine has followed the conventional
tradition of the main image being placed in the
centre of the page with all other text working
around it. So many aspects of the actual image
itself relate to the horror genre. The character that
has been used is from the film Insidious. Readers
are immediately drawn to the blacked out eyes,
this sends shivers down the spine and gives off an
uncomfortable feeling. Other chilling features of
the image include the sinister smile and untidy hair,
both these conventions lead the reader to believe
the character is unhinged and disturbed, this
heavily relates to the horror genre. It’s noticeable
that the image is only visible by the single
candlelight located underneath her face, this
adds an unnerving feel to the magazine cover,
because it leads the reader to believe she only
wants her face to be seen. The monochrome and
greyscale colour of the image follows the dull and
gloomy conventions of horror. The main image is
the first thing a reader will see so it has be sure to
make an impact and be memorable. It’s clear
that by just seeing the image that this magazine
will be centred around horror. The image speaks to
the audience before the text.
Date
Displaying the date the magazine
has been issued is important
because the reader knows they
have the correct addition. The
date is located in the top right
hand corner.

4. Colour Scheme
Colour symbolism is one of the most significant ways
that a magazine cover can connect with its
audience. The colour scheme has centred around
the three most common colours related to the
horror genre, red, white and black. They all tie in
with eachother. The red connotes violence, risk and
fierceness. The black represents mystery, death and
the unknown, and the white signifies sophistication
and complexity. It’s unusual for their to be a fourth
evident colour but in this case there is a yellow
shade present. The brightness of the yellow stands
out against the black background and catches the
readers eye straightaway.
Anchorage Text
The anchorage text ties in with the main image and
in this case it is revealing the name of the film that
the character is from. This issue of FANGORIA is
promoting the film Insidious. It has complied with the
colour scheme, the letters ‘S’ and ‘I’ are in red, this is
distinctive to this issue and reiterates the idea that
red represents endangerment and brutality. The
font is fairly simple and ordinary, this is quite
controversial when representing the horror genre.
Issue Number
The issue number is present in the
top left hand corner. They are
important for the readers
benefit, because they will know
whether they have missed an
issue or not.

5. Skyline
Skylines are always positioned at the top of the
page, above the masthead. This magazine has
followed that convention. This skyline features six
words, three countries and three words that are
related to the horror genre. Including Italy, America
and Germany in their skyline appeals to a larger
audience who may believe their country has a part
to play in the making of this magazine. This gives off
a feeling of importance. Choosing the words horror,
terror and gore reiterate the fact this is a horror
magazine. The three exclamation marks that have
been used at the end of the words horror, terror
and gore add emphasis to the severity of the
frightful feeling they are trying to get across to the
reader. The uniqueness of the yellow keeps the
reader interested and is quite brash against the
harshness of the dark background.
Website Address
Having a website address present on a magazine cover isn't compulsory but it’s a
brilliant way of allowing the reader to access a product through a form of social media,
this creates good publicity and grows the popularity of your magazine. In this issue the
website address is present directly underneath the barcode. It is rather small and
doesn’t grab the readers attention, it may be missed if the reader isn't observant.

6. Cover Lines
The cover lines are present down the left and right
hand sides of the cover. These are important factors
of any magazine cover because they reveal the inner
content of the magazine to the reader. The cover line
which reads ‘BLOOD FOR DRACULA’ has cleverly
been represented in a red colour, red symbolises
blood and gore which relate entirely to the cover line
itself. The cover line present on the other side which
says ‘SCREAM 4’ links in with the last secondary
image, and is a very popular horror film.
Puff
A small puff has been used to advertise the free poster gift inside the magazine. These
appeal massively to the readers because they get a free gift just from buying the
magazine. This can be found on the left hand side underneath the sell lines. Behind the
text and circle shape there appears to be additional shapes which resemble a blood
splash, this connects with the horror genre.
Secondary Images
The four smaller images at the bottom of the page are
extracts from iconic films, they are presented like a film
reel which adds realism to the cover. They are all from
the same genre so the focus has been kept on horror.

7. Main Image
The main image is the largest and most
eye-catching convention of this magazine cover.
The image is of famous superhero Hell boy. As a
reader you’re instantly drawn to his heated facial
expression and fierce looking eyes. He is looking
directly into the consumers eyes, this instantly forms a
connection to the character and magazine. His
brash body language symbolises his inner feelings. A
clenched fist indicates build up anger and
aggression, this is an intimidating aspect of the
image that in turn makes the audience feel unsettled
and overwhelmed. The size in Hell boys hands differ
dramatically, this could represent the amount of
power and authority he holds. It appears he is much
stronger down one side of his body, this could
suggest he is hiding his other powers from the world,
this makes his character unique and captivating. It
seems rather controversial for him to be wearing
rosary beads as they symbolise religion and faith,
and he is almost representing hell and evil. With faith
comes heaven and good spirits which contrasts with
the characters name, hell boy. Hell boys deep red
colour suggests endangerment and brutality which
are important codes and conventions of the horror
genre.
Price
The price can be found above
the ‘M’ in the masthead, this is a
very common convention of a
magazine cover because know
how much money they are
expected to pay.

8. Masthead
This issue of EMPIRE has a remarkable masthead, the
design links in with the horror genre extremely well.
The theme has been changed to tie in with the film
that is being advertised. The dominant use of fire and
flames is a very strong representation of hell which
connects with the film name. The ‘ M’, ‘P’ and ‘I’
aren't fully visible, some of each letter has been
covered by the main image, but because this an
extremely popular magazine the audience know it.
This magazine has a very confident title name,
empire’s are known for being large and important,
this could be a representation of this magazines
success.
Colour Scheme
It’s a common convention for a magazine to have a
black background, this allows all other prominent
features to stand out and grab the readers attention,
they appear more severe and courageous. The
overwhelming use of red connotes themes of
violence and strength, which have common links to
the horror genre. Colour schemes are significant
because they give an indication of what the
magazine is promoting and the theme it follows.
Barcode
The barcode can be found on
the left hand side near the
bottom of the page, these are
present in almost all magazines
and beneficial to the buyer.

9. Cover Lines
The cover lines play a
huge role in the
promotion of any
magazine, they
summarise the inside
articles and allow the
reader to gather a
clearer understanding
about it’s contents
before purchase. The
cover lines are located
down the left hand side
and in this issue of
EMPIRE they’re
advertising other films of
a similar genre.
Puff
In this addition of EMPIRE
the puff which is
displayed above Hell
boy’s right shoulder is
advertising other films.
Due to the content of
what is being promoted
it seems this magazine is
targeted at the older
audience. It’s stating
that inside the magazine
you can see a
recommendation of
what EMPIRE believes
are the 40 films that will
get you sex.
Anchorage Text
The anchorage text basically puts the picture into words, it’s advertising the name of the
film. White is an innocent colour so it seems bizarre for it to be the prominent colour of a
film featuring the world hell, this is challenging the common codes and conventions of
the horror genre. The font comes across as very formal an classy, this could be deemed
unusual because of the genre that’s being advertised, you would expect an irregular
and edgy type of font.

10. Masthead
This masthead is easily identifiable due to its
enormous lettering and intense yellow font. It has
been written in block capitals, this is a very common
convention in many magazines, by doing this they
can ensure that the audience will remember their
product. The name of the magazine itself can be
split into two words, ‘PARA’ which could be an
abbreviation for the word paranormal, which is a
renowned aspect of the horror genre and
‘CINEMA’, by including the word
cinema it reiterates the fact this is a film magazine
and it will be showcasing other films. The colour they
have used is quite a sickly shade of yellow, this is an
unfamiliar colour to represent a horror film, however
yellow can symbolise ill health and it’s clear from the
main image that something unhealthy has
happened to the young girl. Although this isn't the
only text on the cover that is in a bright yellow font,
this is certainly the piece of text that catches the
eye of the reader instantly. The font itself is very
clear, every magazine likes to have it’s own
trademark and an aspect that makes them
memorable, this font is rather unique and can be
associated with this magazine.
Date & Issue Number
These two conventions are
important for the reader, as
they need to know when the
magazine is being issued and
which addition they are
buying.

11. Tagline
The tagline has been positioned in the conventional
place, directly underneath the masthead. It’s
purpose is to give the audience a vague impression
of what the magazine is all about. In this case it’s
promoting the magazine it’s stating that if you love a
film with a genre then this is the magazine for you.
This makes the audience feel the magazine is
thinking of them and their needs.
Cover Lines
Cover lines are crucial aspects of every magazine, they give very clear indications of
what can be expected inside the magazine. One cover line that stands out to me is
‘THE WOMEN’S ISSUE’ this show’s that they’re catering to the needs of women and
appeals to the female gender. Another important cover line is ‘THE EXORCIST’ this is the
title name of the film that links to the main image and relates profoundly to the horror
genre.
Target Audience
I have noticed that within the smaller yellow text that
surrounds the coverlines there are a few words that
are not appropriate for the younger readers such as,
‘rape’ and ‘pissed off’ this creates a clear divide in
readers and leads me to believe this is targeted at
the older generations.

12. Main Image
This magazine has a very interesting image. The
character is Regan from the film, The Exorcist, the
film itself is one of the most well-known films of the
horror genre, the character of Regan is
recognisable all around the world and to potential
buyers she has been the child face of horror for
decades. It’s common for the main image to be a
photograph and the main leading character,
however this particular picture looks like it has
been drawn with oil pastels. They have managed
to catch the sinister look in her eyes and create a
rather chilling form of direct address which in turn
entices the readers to buy this issue of
‘PARACINEMA’. It’s a very uncomfortable image
due to her overall appearance and disturbing
smile, but what makes this picture even more
unnerving is the fact she is just a child, although it is
traditional for children to be the victims in horror
films, it still provokes a feeling of empathy and
concern. Without looking too deep into this
magazine it’s evident that it will be centred around
the genre of horror and that all inside articles will
be about horror films, this becomes clear the
moment the consumers lock eyes on the main
image.
Barcode
The barcode is something that
is apparent on almost every
magazine cover and is vital
for the consumer when
purchasing.