Horror magazine analysis

This is a horror themed magazine called ‘Fangoria’. Simply through the mast head the audience has indication that this is a horror magazine, through the name, which reference the ‘fangs’ with are typically linked to vampires, which are a mythical, popular horror character. Also through the font used as it links with the name and with the fang reference as the font is made to resemble fangs, with the colours also representing this idea, as the white is the natural colour of teeth (fangs), and the hint of red adds a resemblance to blood, which is also a connotation to fangs and vampires and they are known for sucking peoples blood.

The main cover image is centred in the middle and is the largest image on the page, this is a common code and convention for magazine covers, as this made to be the main focus of the cover, and represents its importance within the magazine. In this magazine cover, it is a clear indication that this is a horror magazine as the image used is of a clown like character, with very dark features and an evil looing persona about it the background is also black to resemble the darkness of the character, with the only source of light, shining on the face being a candle, this adds to the element of darkness whilst making the face of the character visible. The very dark eyes of the character adds to the element of fear trying to be displayed by the character, as blacked out or very dark eyes are common in horror villain images, as it gives them a sense of mystery and darkness.

The cover lines of this magazine cover, is just referencing certain films and actors that are related to the horror genre, such as ‘Scream 4’ which is a well-known horror film, and ‘Dario Argento’, who is an actor known for undertaking roles in horror film. This is to give an indication of what’s inside, without giving too much information away, so the audience has to buy the magazine to find out what’s included.

The main cover line on this magazine cover is ‘insidious’ placed at the bottom of the page. This is written in a large font, relatively larger than the cover lines, as this is an indication that it’s the main cover line. It is a common code and convention for magazine covers, that the main cover line is linked with the main image and this is the case in this magazine as well as the word ‘insidious’ is the name of a horror film, which the character in the main image is from. This is to inforce that that is the main subject, focus of the magazine.

Usually on magazine covers there are very minimal images included, as this allows the main image become more focused, and it prevents the page from looking too busy, however it is common for horror magazine covers to display a variety of images, to give a flavour of what’s going to be included in the film, however these cover images are usually a lot smaller than the main image so it still stands out and remains the main focus of the page. In this magazine covers there is a strip of four images included at the bottom of the page, this is to give the audience an indication of what will be included in the magazine to entice them to buy it, as if they don’t like what the main image is portraying they may remain interested in the product if they like something included in the cover images.

One of the codes and conventions of a magazine cover is the use of around 3 or 4 colours, to prevent the page looking to busy, whilst giving it a sense of order and creativity still. This magazine cover has stuck to the codes and conventions of a magazine cover as it includes 4 colours; red, white, yellow and black. The black and white are commonly used to add an element of sophistication and order however in horror magazines it adds a sense of darkness and supernatural effect and the red has the connotation of blood and death, which is a common element of horror.