SHAM033 - Don't Torture a Duckling: The Artwork

[JAMIOUSE]

I just thought they missed out the priests cliff fall on the cover!

[re.form]

I'll be buying this no matter what the cover is, but put me in the 'I don't like Panel A' camp.

The recent Optimum release of 'Lizard in a Womans Skin' had that really classy and intriguing cover without the the boobage. I dont mind the nudity (the Arrow cover for 'Island of Death' is one of the best covers I've ever seen) but this doesn't feel right for 'Duckling'.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by re.form

The recent Optimum release of 'Lizard in a Womans Skin' had that really classy and intriguing cover without the the boobage. I dont mind the nudity (the Arrow cover for 'Island of Death' is one of the best covers I've ever seen) but this doesn't feel right for 'Duckling'.

Tastes differ. I don't think that Optimum's cover of Lizard in a Woman's Skin is that outstanding. I remember my first thoughts when I got the disc: quite nice, but a bit boring.

Island of Death's artwork is really great - although unpresentable.

Greetings!

[platostotal]

Originally Posted by Sarah@Cult Labs

So here is panel A for Shameless' forthcoming Don't Torture a Duckling! I really like this as I think it has a rather nice retro, VHS rental feel to it. What do you think?

(Reverse will follow in a few weeks.)

That's cool and retro, but the bare flesh will be a problem for large retailers surely, HMV won't 'shelve' it I bet, I feel a sticker of some sort coming 'Love Goddess Cannibals' still hasn't appeared in my jumbo sized HMV.

[Bride of Sam]

I've been really looking forward to this release and I'm deeply disappointed with this artwork, in fact I really, really hate it. I'm sure there'll be something decent on the reverse but for the front design it's beyond crap. It strips the film of an credibility (in my eyes) and makes it look like some US TV porn flick. This will be another of those titles which end up in the porn section of HMV where it will be largely ignored. It looks so cheap but not in the way we love but in the way that will hamper it's sales among all but the hardcore fans. Unless Shameless' aim is to sell as few copies as possible I think a huge mistake is being made here.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

There have been other Shameless releases with bare flesh on the cover (Flavia the Heretic, Baba Yaga, Almost Human etc) and those of apparently sold very well with stores like HMV just putting the price sticker on top of the 'offending' part of the artwork.

[Bride of Sam]

I don't have a problem with nudity at all, that wasn't my complaint. A large portion of our DVD collection has naked ladies on the front and I tend to spend a lot of time painting nudes. Usually I love the Shameless artwork (including Flavia) but to me this looks like no thought went into it at all.
I've worked for both borders Oxford and HMV Newport and in those particular stores at least the porn section would be it's home, not through my choice but by that of The Man. Actually my local second hand dvd store puts most Shameless titles in the porn section too.
I find it really frustrating when films I love go there to gather dust and by the looks of this one it's heading for the same fate. For me the offending part of the artwork is the whole thing (minus the delightful yellow border), I really feel that the quality of the work is nowhere near the usual standards of Shameless and I also think Fulci deserves a bit more effort than that. It will still take pride of place with the others and no doubt there'll be something gorgeous on the reverse side, but I don't think it does the film justice. Of course it all boils down to personal taste, I've just never disliked a cover enough to bark about it before.

[platostotal]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

There have been other Shameless releases with bare flesh on the cover (Flavia the Heretic, Baba Yaga, Almost Human etc) and those of apparently sold very well with stores like HMV just putting the price sticker on top of the 'offending' part of the artwork.

I do like it, but was being over cautious. As 'Sam' said above, hate to see Shameless not reap the rewards for a great release. It's a buy from me on release(if I have any dosh left, lotsa good stuff on the way from the big red S)

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Bride of Sam

I don't have a problem with nudity at all, that wasn't my complaint. A large portion of our DVD collection has naked ladies on the front and I tend to spend a lot of time painting nudes. Usually I love the Shameless artwork (including Flavia) but to me this looks like no thought went into it at all.
I've worked for both borders Oxford and HMV Newport and in those particular stores at least the porn section would be it's home, not through my choice but by that of The Man. Actually my local second hand dvd store puts most Shameless titles in the porn section too.
I find it really frustrating when films I love go there to gather dust and by the looks of this one it's heading for the same fate. For me the offending part of the artwork is the whole thing (minus the delightful yellow border), I really feel that the quality of the work is nowhere near the usual standards of Shameless and I also think Fulci deserves a bit more effort than that. It will still take pride of place with the others and no doubt there'll be something gorgeous on the reverse side, but I don't think it does the film justice. Of course it all boils down to personal taste, I've just never disliked a cover enough to bark about it before.

I'm sure the reverse will warrant some praise mate!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Reaper@Cult Labs

I'm sure the reverse will warrant some praise mate!

I can now reveal it and, yes, it is MUCH better than the front:



Good to see Shameless have hired Vipco's old designer.