The magazine masthead uses large red capitalized font that stands out against the blue and black background. The masthead is recognizable as it is used on every Empire front cover. Headlines for articles are centered above feature photographs to capture attention. Short descriptions of additional articles ("plugs") entice readers to learn more by buying the magazine. These plugs are arranged around the edges so as not to cover the main photograph. The target audience is mostly male between ages 15-44, so the cover uses imagery and colors that appeal to stereotypical male interests like action films.

1. The masthead of the magazine is presented in large,
capitalized red font, which makes it very eye-catching against
the pale blue and black background. This masthead is
recognisable, many people as it is used on every single Empire
front cover and uses the iconic Empire bold redcolour. Empire
is so wellestablished that they don’t need todisplay the full
title, like the imageto the left, as people know themagazine
and it’s title even withthe ‘P’ missing.
The headline for the
main article within
the magazine is
situated over the top
of the feature
photograph and in
the centre of the
page where is will be
most likely to capture
the audience's
attention.
Another conventional
feature of this
magazine front cover
is the use of plugs to
give the audience an
insight into what
other articles can be
found within the
magazine. These
snippets will
persuade the
audience to buy the
magazine to find out
more about these
other articles. The
plugs are also laid out
conventionally
around the edge of
the page so they do
not obstruct the
feature photograph.
T
The sub-headings
accompanying these
plugs have been
backed onto a plain
white background so
that they deliver
maximum impact
against the darker
background.
The magazines strap line "Best
Preview Issue Ever!" has been
placed just above the magazines
masthead and the font of the strap
line is also eye-catching as it is in pale
silver, making it standout against the
dark background. However it also does
not draw too much attention away
from the bright red masthead situated
below.
The feature photograph on the
front cover is also covering up
some letters of the masthead,
suggesting that the publishers are
confident that the magazine's
popularity will overcome this.
The colours used within the front
cover are also iconic of the feature
films action genre.
The ages of most of Empire’s
readers are between the ages of
15-44 and most of them are
male with 76%. So the target
audience is people from the age
of 15 – 44 and should have
texts, imagery and colours that
appeals to the male stereotypes.
The title of the
featured film
"Sherlock
Holmes" has been
capitalized, again
making it more
eye-catching. The
name of the actor
playing this
starring role
(Robert
Downey Jr) is
located above this
main headline. If
the audience are
fans of this
particular actor,
this line plus the
feature
photograph will
persuade them to
buy the magazine.
Exclamatory will
create excitement
amongst the
audience and
convince them that
they should buy this
magazine because it
is 'the best'. The
dark blacks and
blues create a sense
of suspense and
mystery. The bright
red connotes action
and blood, whilst
the metallic silvers
can be linked to
weaponry.
Therefore this issue
will be particularly
attractive to
audience's who
enjoy films of this
genre.