Magazine Analysis: Entertainment Weekly (Spiderman)

This is a magazine front cover from the popular and established ‘Entertainment Weekly’ promoting the new Spider Man 2 film that was yet to be released when this magazine was published. This edition of the magazine has been retitled ‘Spidey, Entertainment weekly’, this marketing trick was cleverly used to entice those Spiderman fans into reading the magazine as it implies that this edition is going to revolved around the movie. Further to this, the Black sans serif font ‘Spidey’ dominates the magazine title as it contrasts to the white used for ‘Entertainment Weekly’. This has an effect on the audience as it is the first thing they notice (other than the main image), due to the large scale of the text meaning that it is predominantly visible Spider Man lovers.

The main image placed in the centre of the cover is of the recognisable character spider man, who is seen to be holding the female character in a hostile position, giving the readers chance to infer the storyline, from this predominant image. The fact that the female character is placed at the forefront of the magazine implies that she could be of greater strength than first anticipated. Yet this idea could be subverted due the protagonist’s hand surrounding her making her look vulnerable and smaller due to her lower positioning on the page.

The character Spiderman’s mode of address seems to appear as if he is looking direct at the reader. Entertainment weekly has chosen to do this to appoint the reader into looking at this magazine, a ploy that makes the reader feel as if they are being watched!

The high key lighting used to brighten the female characters face complements her complexion enhancing the fact that the character is female and vulnerable, therefore making the reader’s purchase the magazine to salvage the female character almost. In contrast to this the dark and shadowed lighting used to overshadow Spiderman, adds to his thrilling character as appose to the innocent and liable woman.

The evident language used through puffs and taglines all convey a similar tone. The adjective 'Shocking' has been used to describe the twists that are of significance in this magazine. This conventional language appeals to the audience as they will want to be the first people of knowledge to the 'twists' in the new film.

Overall, this magazine cover is one that I aim to take inspiration from as the colour scheme is complementary of the main image, back ground and titles. Therefore the main lesson that can be learnt is that the pictures and the other colours have to match.