Guide to Comic Cover Creation

Hi guys

,So I have been asked a few times already how I make the covers that i have hashed together for you peeps in the RPG section. Rather than explaining to each of you in turn i will take the Lazy approach and give you a simple step by step guide and a few helpful tips here and there. I will also add images that maybe of use to you on your own creations also. ( Any CVU logos, comic ratings/prices are welcome since they will add to depth of future covers). But now lets get the show on the road.

for my examples i will show you how i made Izaiah's cover

Step 1- Base

Select your base image ( the main bulk of your cover). Take note of Colour scheme and layout of picture since the better designs will work with the picture rather than just being superimposed on the top. A simple/minimal picture will work better when your additions are equally as clean and simple. An overly busy base image will make further additions even more messy and make for a lousy cover.

So pick what looks good, has space to work with and something you think fits the person who's cover your making.

Step 2- Text/Fun with fonts

Finding a font that fits how you would like may take some time it may take 5 mins but i would recommend trying a few fonts and layouts for each cover you make. For help adding text to your designs i suggest using the site use if your in trouble http://picfont.com/. (If you use the site simply upload your base image , add text and save the image to your desktop) When it comes to selecting the font and location remember what i said above in base section "What fits the picture and character?" The difference between making a good cover and a great cover can be as little as selecting a different font, changing the text layout/angle or its location on the image, so dont be afraid to play around with designs, but don't go over board with fonts on final design to many and it will just be messy .

Have you considered making a creative team for you fake comic? or naming other characters that may appear in the issue?

Step3-Additional items

Some covers will require further addition such as emblems, related images to the name/theme of the issue. In this case i was requested to add Izaiah's emblem to the cover. In this case it doesn't really fit the base image so well but if your making covers for others always try to cater to them since after all your using their character. Further small touches can add a further flourish to the design and as with text its worth playing around seeing if you can get something that fits what you have already on your image. ( If your adding further images to your cover and used the site above for text this is when you must start using paint. Simply copy and paste)

Consider scale with added images, i generally pair my addition images with text so make sure to leave space if your to do the same

Step4- Final touches

To make your design look more like a comic you actually own, addition of things such as publishers logo, bar-code and comic rating will complete the look. ( These additions are also simple copy and paste jobs) with the same consideration as previous additions Scale, Location, and Relevance. These final touches can be difficult to find so i will be having a section below in which you can collect some images to help you). Before you press your final save and post your new cover make sure your certain that's the set up you want since after you save something its there forever.

Hope this helps some of you out, any further questions that i maybe able to help you with dont be afraid to ask below.

Heres a link to the complete collection of covers i have made

Heres a link for covers made by Lady Loveless

If you would like to request a cover design from me pm my account or comment below. (link account if alt please)

Enjoy creating your Own Covers

Useful images

A collection of images to help you build your own covers, for those interested in making their own covers follow link

Dude this is so awesome! Thanks man!

@shadowknight666: it was Mercy_ idea really, but thanks.

Pinning this for awhile.

@Gambler: Ok cool that explains the move message, cheers man

@Surkit: you got anymore?

@EdwardWindsor: Just some bar code art, they can find that with a quick search

@Surkit: In that case cheers, if you find any more handy things post and will add them

@EdwardWindsor: Sure

@EdwardWindsor@Mercy_ good thinkin peeps

Now, I don't have to hunt down pictures of barcodes! Thanks!

@.Longshot.: they are a pain aren't they

Cooooooooooooooooool.

@Ziccarra_Liafador: i dont know it has a classic, vintage feel to it. Ps as a member of Hall Of Fame your getting another one shortly anyways.

@Ziccarra_Liafador: Did you see the sha one I made under my Mister Number 10 account?

@Lady Loveless: No

@Ziccarra_Liafador: You have the most covers surely , i have made you 2 ( one unseen as of now) Loveless has made you one and you posted like 5 from others you have quite a collection.

@EdwardWindsor: I haven't seen either lol.

Yeah well when I first got on the site, I had a bunch of them made lol

@Ziccarra_Liafador: you havent seen this? iam sure you commenetd on it. Your Hall Of Fame one will be up tomorrow probably

@EdwardWindsor: Nope first time I've seen it, and it's awesome

@Ziccarra_Liafador:Thanks glad you like it. Wonder who it was who said it was cool then hmmm.

@EdwardWindsor: O_o

@Ziccarra_Liafador: For the second cover would you ratehr have Sha or Ziccara written on the cover?

@EdwardWindsor said:

@Ziccarra_Liafador: For the second cover would you ratehr have Sha or Ziccara written on the cover?

I get asked that question alot.

Sha

@Ziccarra_Liafador: good sicne thats what i already put saves me editing it lol

@EdwardWindsor said:

@Ziccarra_Liafador: good sicne thats what i already put saves me editing it lol

LOL

@Ziccarra_Liafador: you have saved me a good 10 mins there probably.

@EdwardWindsor: I'll always be "Sha" regardless of what name I'm behind lol

@Ziccarra_Liafador: I thought i should stick with the names that are in HOF, hence Andferne and Sha rather than Ziccara and Andy Steven Summers. Glad you agree

Now taking cover requests

All i need is account name and preferably a link to profile.

@EdwardWindsor: Could my alt @_Radar_ get one? His look is daredevil, And you can check out his bio for whatever other details you may need.

@shadowknight666: No problem, will add it to my list got four requests this morning.

@EdwardWindsor: Cool, It's crazy how many you're getting.

@_Radar_: 5 i can manage that's one sitting of editing, least its in single figures

@EdwardWindsor: XD Your like a Rockstar lol

@shadowknight666: lol i haven't had many requests to be honest 90% of the covers i have done have been by choice to do so rather than being asked. It refreshing to be asked to do some for once.

@EdwardWindsor: True, Better then just throwing a dart at the recent posters on the RPG Board

@shadowknight666: lol my original method was just make covers of everybody in covers thread done that now though.

@EdwardWindsor: Sounds less expensive then throwing darts at your computer XD

@shadowknight666: true , but it did mean constantly adding people to the list

@shadowknight666:

@EdwardWindsor: THANKS!

@shadowknight666: No Problem

@614azrael here you go

@614azrael: No problem

Now making Vs Covers if anybody is interested (Example below)

@shadowknight666

@EdwardWindsor: That's just win.