Do you think it's a good idea to commission cover art for a comic?

[Darth_Biomech]

On one hand, it's (usually) the first thing that a potential reader sees, and having a juicy sexy expertly shaded and detailed cover might prompt a curious click.

On the other hand, it will not represent the actual art quality (and the style) of the comic itself since you didn't draw it, which can cause a feeling of bait-and-switch disappointment in the reader, potentially turning them away.

On the third hand, comic covers being significantly more artful than comic pages is nothing unusual in the printed comic industry, for exactly the reasons in the first hand.

So I'm somewhat divided by this idea. Thoughts?

[fiddlyturtle]

If the cover art and the art of the comic defer in style too much, it will show. And for me personally, when I see a cover with a good art style( doesn't have to be really really good, average good is enough) and if it piques my interest, I will check it out and subscribe if I like the content of the comic.
But on the other hand, if I see a really good cover and click on it, only to see equally good art but a completely different art style altogether, I'd be disappointed and not read it at all. That's because the expectation that build up from the cover wasn't met and that is not the art style I came for.
In printed comic industry it's a whole other story and I'll be okay with the different art styles of the cover and the comic but in webcomics I don't know why it works differently in my brain but it does.

[jmassat]

This question got me thinking. My instinct was "no," but there might be wiggle room. Your point that this cover might be "expertly shaded and detailed" gave me an idea...

If you commissioned someone to, say, take the pencils you've already drawn and go over that with precise detail, in a style that doesn't look so different from your comic that it counts as false advertising, that could actually work. Especially if you can coordinate the color palette with your comic.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

On the other hand, it will not represent the actual art quality (and the style) of the comic itself since you didn't draw it, which can cause a feeling of bait-and-switch disappointment in the reader, potentially turning them away.

This is true (at least for me)...I think it depends on how big the disparity is between the two art styles.

Like, the art within the comic might not be as "good" as the cover or in the same style, but if it's at least pleasing to look at in its own right I won't mind.
But if it's clearly inferior on several different levels (which I've seen a lot, unfortunately) then yeah, I'll feel a bit cheated.

If you're gonna do it, I think it's best to choose a cover artist who's fairly close to your own style, just so readers will have a general idea of what to expect. Like, maybe don't commission an artist who draws in DBZ style if your comic looks more like Rugrats. =/

[rm_manga]

Find an artist who can improve the composition of your cover, point out your mistakes. Then draw the cover yourself.

[rajillustration]

That's what DC and Marvel does (a lot of Manga as well), go right on ahead. Covers should take longer than comics themselves because it is your big first impression. My cover was full color for a simple black and white comic. I would absolutely do that again.

[FafasMcMelt]

I don't recomment it. It's better if what they see is what they get.

[Kaydreamer]

For a webcomic, I'd say no... Audiences expect the art of the comic to be of a similar style and quality to the cover art, and if they differ drastically, they could be left feeling deceived.

For a print comic though, having variant covers is totally normal.

[Caro]

A lot of big corporations do it but tbh its a huge pet peeve of mine. I’ve picked up so many comics i thought looked sooo interesting from the cover and put it back down when the guts look nothing like what I was hoping for.

With the companies that do it they tend to be long sprawling and well established properties that people will buy just because they know what it is and a cover is a good way to get a handful of new people to pick something up. But I feel like it should still match the interior to some degree.

[susannaevanspfw]

I write novels, but.
A lot of writers hire someone to write their blurbs. Someone with a completely different writing style. It shows in the very first page that they aren't the same. As a reader, and as an author who has talked to readers, it is a huge pet peeve for them to discover the writing styles are different.

Art is subjective, and if I could draw, or bring my characters to life with digital art or any other form besides words? I'd design my covers, too.

this is just my opinion and the very first thing I thought of when I read the post.