Borrowing an idea from
top comic book artist Dave Shelton, I thought I’d post one of the many cover
concepts that won’t make it to the finished version of my illustrated comic novella Dan and the Dead.
This image was thrashed
out between the designer and myself, using elements from previous roughs and
new sketches made both in and out of Photoshop. I really liked it (as an idea),
but those who will be marketing the book thought it looked a tad too ‘young’.
And so, for once, ‘back to the drawing board’ wasn’t a cliché.
This book was created
with reluctant boy readers in mind so anything that might put them off has to
be addressed. The story is voice driven, so there’s much more emphasis on Dan’s
character and attitude in the new version. I’ve just sent it off. Let’s hope
they like it.
Love this cover! The art process is so mysterious to those of us on the writing side. Thanks for the glimpse.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Caroline. There's so much more to a cover than a pretty picture. A huge number of people are involved in every decision -- it's mind boggling!
ReplyDeleteI love knowing all about what goes into a book and its cover. Sad this one didn't make the cut - great atmosphere and so much told in that one image alone - but can't wait to see the cover that does make it, and the rest of the book, of course!
ReplyDeleteI've always ben impressed that in many of the children's graphic novels I've seen there has been an info part in the back about how the characters came to look the way they did - a sort of meet the creators bit - and your posts about "Dan and the Dead" are a bit like that.
Thanks, Rachel. When the final design has been agreed, I'll probably do a long post about covers.
ReplyDeleteYou have been warned!
I think it looks great. And this is a reject? Can't wait to see the real one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Simon. The final design has been approved, so I'll be boring everyone to tears about it soon:)
ReplyDeleteJust in case anyone's reading this, they DID like it. More soon...
ReplyDelete