Cover Art for Repulsive

I like them both

I think the burst adds to the comedy vibe but I do like the image better without it too. The red eyes work for me as well, I guess a colour change might be interesting to see if it works?

 

I think the red eyes go with the title. "My wife really hated the red eyes because they make him look evil." – She's....repulsed by them?

And running with that idea (title & image relationship)...The cover makes me think that maybe this person hides himself because he's repulsive. Without a blurb or any pre-knowledge of the book, I'd be wondering if he's some hideous, deformed person under his garb. BUT. The garb doesn't entirely hide him, because–those eyes. This isn't to say that no other color would do that trick, however.

I like the cover without the burst.

 

I'd have to agree with everybody that the look of the character on the cover doesn't seem to match up with what we know about Repulsive's MC at all. However, I don't really think red eyes are the issue, even, but the narrowness/felinity of the eyes is giving an inhuman impression. Here's a dumb 2-minute photoshop fix:



The other issue here is that I don't know that it gets across genre, or the comedic touch. He kind of looks like a sorcerer or evil fantasy villain. Honestly, I'd suggest making his hood/cloak into a hoodie sweatshirt? If that's possible given the images the artist is working with. That would convey the modern setting and something of the tone.

 

First off I do like the cover. I think the colors blend well. I do not like the yellow-burst version as it feels (no offense) but made in microsoft paint. It makes a great cover look a little cheesy.

I also don't think that the title of the book fits 100% with the cover. The character doesn't look repulsive but that might spark interest in someone cover browsing at the store.

 

I don't mean to contradict everyone here but ... I like the star and it certainly does give it a comic / graphic novel feel. However, if is included that layer should be softer - maybe have her adjust the transparency. It would appear more serious if it was more subtle and blended in.

That being said, having the star/burst there makes it feel fun and self aware- kitschy I guess. The kind of thing that might feature Andy Samberg ...

Instead of a star/burst you can have her do a yellow radial gradation as a layer behind him. That would give you some more contrast for his figure and would play in with color theory...

Personally ... I like the text and the color scheme and I think the front image is great but (as already noted) slightly villainous. Part of it might be the eyes but I think more so it's his body language and that there is too much image (I'd move him down a bit ...) If there is less of his chest showing more focus is placed on his face (or the lack there of). It would make more sense to me if he was stooped over more - standing up straight like this suggests confidence to me (and therefore villainy rather than mystery). If you put a symbol on his chest (or the star-burst) it would clarify a bit more and wouldn't be an issue ... he's confident because he's in the alternate persona or because he knows he's B.A. ...

I think the association w "demons"/villains might also come from the shape of the robe and the presence of a wimple. IMO it gives it a hint of a monk/ priest/ magician vibe rather than superhero (which we all know requires super stretchy spandex ). The material appears to drape and flow which gives it that religious / ritual feel that I think plays into the association w demons.

A logo, a (better blended) star (or yellow sphere) would remedy this. Otherwise if you cropped more of his body out it'd hide some of the fabric which I think might give you something closer to what you're looking for.

 

For what it's worth, I've wondered if, instead of the star you could have his logo or symbol in the background somewhere, but large.

Alternatively, I've wondered if some other symbol behind him could clue the reader in to what to expect. I'm not familiar with your story, so I'm hesitant to offer suggestions. But I'd wondered if a large broken heart, perhaps drawn in a gothic fashion, would work. (I offer that as just an example of what I mean here.)

 

Chiming in late but, first, I love what Nimue's edit does for the cover. The innocent, sad eyes makes it a lot better (based only on reading the excerpt and your comments about the character). Second, I'd take the logo/superhero symbol on his chest idea a step further and change everything below his hood/cowl into a more superhero-esque costume. Colors could be the same but the heavy looking robe is very villain/priest. The cowl I love and if his body was just covered in a (not spandex or outside underwear) super suit, with the logo on his chest I'd be very intrigued by it. Like: "hmmm, a super hero who has to hide his face for a totally different reason than usual..." I'd want to read it.

Obviously, if the MC goes around in a flowing, monk robe, my suggestion won't work.

 

It's hard to symbolize repulsion.

First thought that popped in my mind: put Leonardi da Vinci's Vitruvian Man in the center of the star. Or maybe a simplified version of your character in costume but posed in the same way as da Vinci's.

But maybe that would be too cluttered.

 

Does the MC wear loose, flowing robes? If not, you could give the superhero vibe by putting him in a superhero-type suit but leave the hood as is. I think him wearing monk robes is weird. He may look repulsive but why do his clothes have to hang like bags? It just gives a villain feeling.

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