X-Men Origins: Wolverine

[Kernie]

Nice job so far, sauron!

Here's my thoughts...

1) The blue on the back doesn't really match the blue on the front. I can see that it transitions over the spine, but it seems kind of awkward.

2) The front title treatment gets lost against the Wolverine image behind it. A transparent-to-black (or dark blue) gradient at about 50% opacity with a Multiply blend mode behind the TT might solve this...

3) The black "holes" created by the claws stand out too much, can you put something in the "holes?" Maybe a pic of Wolverine as if those are his claws tearing through? Or a texture? Or the backside of the BD disc, as if it's actually torn through the cover and you can see the inside of the case?

4) Mask the claws a little better. You've got a black halo around them that looks weird. Add drop shadows from the claws over the stills to help sell the "3D" aspect of the claws (don't use the Drop Shadow style to do this, actually paint them in based on the lighting on the claws).

5) Agree with nikerun, synopsis is too close to the top edge. Slide it down and maybe put a tagline or critic quote (did any critics have anything good to say about this movie?) above the synopsis. Also agree with nike that below the synopsis is a great place for the Features.

6) Do a level adjustment on the stills (brighten the whites), they're a bit dark and hard to see.

Hope this helps... I know it seems like a lot... sorry...

[sauron]

Nike, I'm not too sure about the blu-ray cases. Have I used the wrong one?

I got rid of the claw. I want a claw scratch in there somehow though maybe for the SF but I have no idea how i would make that.

Is this any better?

I've had enough of this cover now taken way too long.

[Kernie]

I think it's better. Not sure how to make the claw scratches either, off the top of my head. Maybe try googling "claw scratch Photoshop" or claw scratch images...

The TT stands out more now, but I think you could go even darker with the gradient behind it.

I like the color stills. It's a nice improvement.

If you're getting tired of working on this cover, there's no shame in stopping and moving onto something you're more interested in... but I think you should just power on through and finish it up. It's a solid cover and it's so close to being done.

[sauron]

Here's an update.

Thanks to inivisgoth for the new claw.

[Kernie]

What about something like this?

[attachment=14416:Untitled_1.jpg]

I spread out the tagline on the front so that each phrase is a bit easier to read. You can probably leave the text the way you originally had it, I just didn't take the time to match your font and styling.

I also added some overexposure to Wolvie's face and claw highlights and put two reflective White-to-Black gradients over the whole front cover (one set to Soft Light, the other to Multiply at 80% Opacity) to give it that "lighting from above" look. Not saying you need to do this, but it might help bring the focus to Wolvie's face.

I also added a texture within the claw tear to keep the flat black from standing out too much. I think it gives an added sense of depth and dimension to the cover.

I've attached the PSD of my modifications in case you want to see how I did some things.

[attachment=14417:wolverine.zip]

Don't feel obligated to take these suggestions, I think the cover would stand fine without them, but it might help take it to the next level and help you get this baby finished.

[clark_ckcstm]

new claw looks great

[sauron]

Brillant Kernie, Love your additions! Will take a look at how you done them.

[sauron]

Update - haven't done the front additions yet.

posted 100% of the claw is it me or does some of it look like it is missing?

-edit Kernie, not too sure how you done the front addition?

[Kernie]

I think you've got it right, but just watch out for how you've cut out that claw... it's pretty rough. On the left-most claw, you shouldn't see the texture at the base of the claw, that should be black, as though there's a shadow on the claw. But definitely try to clean up the edges of the metal claws, they're quite bad. Let me know if you need an even better version, I might have one from my comic book covers.

Otherwise, I think you've got the right idea!

As for the front, it's basically the two gradient layers and a masked overexposure layer. Check the PSD and let me know what specific questions you might have.

[sauron]

The Claw is from here Wolverine Claw.

If you have another claw would be otherwise I will go back to the one I had before.

So just a layer of a gradient yeah? not sure how to do a masked overexposure layer :S