Micah's Magazine Cover Textual Analysis

Textual Analysis of "Rue Morgue" Horror Magazine Cover

In todays modern media most film magazines cover a wide range of film genres from thriller to romantic comedies or action films. To fully understand the horror fan base from a specialised point of view it is necessary to analyse horror film specific magazines such as "Rue Morgue".

Rue Morgue is a Canadian magazine dedicated to covering horror in culture and entertainment. This includes new and popular horror films to be released such as "A Nightmare on Elmstreet" which is featured on the front of this cover. Rue Morgue is owned by Marrs Media Inc. and published by Rodrigo Gudino. The magazine is a monthly issue keeping horror fans up to date on the latest goings on in he horror film industry.

This particular issue 99 features a comparison article on the old "A Nightmare on Elmstreet" (1984) and the 2010 reboot of the franchise. The article is entitled "Freddy vs. Freddy" which is positioned in large white bold capitals beneath the main subject of the image for clear emphasis on the main article which relates to the image. Outlining this caption are small graphics of stars, this eye-catching technique again highlights the importance of the main article. Between these graphics are smaller captions in an elongated font to state as much information about the main article as possible without ruining the content for fans.

This "Rue Morgue" issue utilises a juxtapositional image on the cover to express the contrast between new and old characters of horror films. On the left side there is the 1984 Freddy Kruegar serial killing character while on the right side is the 2010 remake version of Kruegar. This again relates to the "Freddy vs. Freddy" main article caption placed below. To split the two characters down the centerline of the magazine to create the juxtapositional effect there is a slash mark that comes from the top of the page to the bottom as if Kruegar has slashed the magazine with his own trade mark bladed glove. Horror film enthusiasts will be thrilled by this idea of new battling old and the debate between modern contemporary horror film, making it an attractive part of the magazine cover.

The mise en scene has been texturized on photoshop to give it a sketch like effect as if the two characters have been drawn. This gives the magazine cover an "old-school" style cover which is a way of attracting older audiences (20-35) of the original 1984 release. The lighting of the image is both high-key yet artificial as the image has been layered with filters to create the effect. The colours are very horror based with putrid greens to create a 'dead skin' like effect. The make-up of the two different actors clearly contrast as the right modern Kruegar seems to be more realistic as if the skin is burnt. The left side is also much lighter an cartoon like perhaps highlighting an issue of a lack of effects during the time of the original 1984 release compared to now.

Other captions include the actors names that play Kruegar which are respectively placed either side of the subject of the image. These are again lined with graphic icons for added emphasis to the article. This effect also portrays the star power of the film titles with the two contrasting acting talents, another point of attractions for readers. Along the bottom of the magazine cover are smaller article titles including punch lines to attract readers further such as "The Human Centipede, Sickest Movie Ever?" this informal tone of address draws in a younger horror audience of 16- 25 year olds. The varied font styles and sizes within these captions keeps the magazine dynamic and exciting without distracting too much from the main image.

"Rue Morgue" is conventionally placed along the main header clearly displaying the name of the magazine. The slash effect of Kruegar's hand also goes through this title as if it is reaching toward the reader. This is a dynamic example of bringing a readers attention to the magazine and relates to Kruegar's homicidal intent to kill his victims through their dreams. The main header's colour blend in with the background colours used. The font is a typical Gothic style with cracks and varying letter sizes for an aged and mysterious horror effect conventional to the genre. A border highlights the title and a graphic of a moon is placed between the two words. The moon symbolises gothic horror through its relation to night, darkness, the unknown, werewolves, death etc.