Fangoria Magazine Cover Analysis
Fangoria is a horror genre based film magazine originated in the US yet distributed internationally. This magazine specializes in the genres of horror, slasher, splatter and exploitation films in regular publication since 1979. It begun with the name Fantastica and was companions with the science fiction film magazine Starlog. As this magazine is quite old, we can see the layout is quite old fashioned due to the simplicity and choice of font. As this is mainly a horror genre magazine, we expect the masthead to connote more of a slashing or horrific theme with its font. What we do understand from the font of the Masthead is that from the jagged and sharp edges, the films they review keep you on edge and are sharp and straight to the point. Also the colours of the magazine do the theme of Horror no justice as it’s relying on yellow and purple. This purple works well with the female victims outfit done through mise-en-scene. The other stories and headlines on the left hand side are designed in a similar style to the “Total Film” magazine I analysed as it’s presented with a film print border, which for its time was how photography worked. The black box at the top of the magazine with the yellow text captures the viewers’ attention as this is the part that stands out, due to the dark colour of the black against the bright colours of yellow and such. This part is to reel in viewers and film critiques as it reads “Jason’s censored slaughter scenes” making viewers grow an interest and a need to witness these which only this magazine has to offer. The image of the two characters from the magazines main feature is presented as both comedic and horrific and they’re both looking towards the camera signifying that we’re part of the scenario. We know that the model on the left, Freddy is the antagonist as his face looks to be burnt and he has claws on his fingers while he’s smirking against the female’s scared expression. Freddy Kruger from the Nightmare on Elm Street films is looking towards the viewer’s smiling, showing his eagerness and smugness as he kills in dreams, making him one of the scariest killers and he knows that. The expression on the females face shows she’s terrified and the tag-line to go alongside this image “Freddy & Nancy’s dream reunion” is ironic and comedic; because Freddy kills in people’s dreams and they’re both wearing smart clothing and look to be at a prom or dance, making it the perfect reunion. The negative space on this cover is covered up by the use of the images, the plant on the left side of the magazine from the film Little Shop of Horrors (1986) has been edited to overlap the border and frame, as Freddy’s head is too giving them both a sense of realism and adding to the theme that we’re part of the scenario too.