Fangoria is an internationally-distributed US film fan magazine specializing in the genres of horror, slasher, splatter and exploitation films, in regular publication since 1979. The instinctive bold red masthead in a unique typography that is traditionally presented on the magazine would distinguish to regular reader or any new audience that this is the authentic Fangoria magazine, therefore attracting them towards it. Red has connotations such as danger, anger etc but because this is a Horror genre magazine red is conventional and suggests blood and gore which is suitable for the image of the magazine and purpose as red is a distinct colour thus attracting the audience’s eyes. Another standard generic magazine feature that is on front cover is the bar code in the bottom left hand corner automatically categorizes the magazine as an item which can be purchased and is a component which all magazines must incorporate into the final design.
There are coverlines above the masthead and also down the left hand side of the cover so the layout of the magazine is orthodox with no challenges to the conventions of a professional magazine front cover regardless of genre. Behind the coverlines on the left hand side there is a graphical design of a film reel which makes connections with the magazine and the film genre further building the magazine profile and familiarising themselves with the target audience of horror fans and movie fanatics, the colour of the film reel purple and the bottom dark blue giving the perception of mould and ooze making it unsightly adding the “look away” effect that horror movies give their audiences.
To further emphasise this, the magazine uses words such as “chilling, terror and scream” all lexis associated with fear which adds to the impression that the magazine is trying to give off also the type is in yellow not giving off a subtle vibe but one of warning and precaution the colour allows it to stand out therefore making it visible and not fight with the background by blending in.
The images that go with the coverlines are also an eyesore as you have a close up of some type of creature with what looks to be a spear or sharp weapon lodged in their eye socket with their face in anguish and discomfort. The other image is of what looks to be like a zombie or dead corpse also a close up just revealing the face like the other image connoting deterioration, eroding and rot, their eyes have a sharp colour but they seem lifeless however the scars of their face accentuate the they could cause harm to someone imposing a scary and mysterious fright.
The main content feature of this magazine’s issue is Grindhouse a 2007 American action-horror/exploitation double feature co-written, produced, and directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. The double feature consists of two feature-length segments, Rodriguez's Planet Terror and Tarantino's Death Proof, which is a relevant feature for the magazine genre.
The image that takes the centre of the front cover is an extreme, straight onward close up of a creature/man with his face melted to the extend where you can see all his flesh coming from the skull of his face with the effect of creating discomfort towards the target audience. The close up is not just distressing but also stomach churning as their face is completely lost all shape and the teeth and gums are the only things in position the mouth of the subject is open so it is unknown whether it is open in a plea for help or open because their face discombobulated. The main coverline lets the reader aware of the film’s title, therefore it provides information as well as release a fear factor as the typography of “GRINHOUSE” is bold smudged in certain areas connoting that it has been stamped, mashed or grinded onto the magazine front cover.
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