The Big Billy Cover Debate

April 16, 2015
   We have been debating all week on the right cover for our big Billy the Kid package in the next issue (June). We are torn between two concepts. Dan The Man has done at least two dozen different takes on this but it boils down to these two dueling concepts:

 
Two Billy Covers: 1A: Billy's Only Known Photo vs. 1B: Billy Stands Tall Sculpture Silhouette

   Ken Amorosano argues that the only known photo is marquee and sells the idea best. My position is that it's been used to death and we need something new and dynamic. I encouraged Dan to use the Bronzesmith Billy sculpture as a very dark silhouette to emphasize the mystery, but some argue this is too dark and we should print the sculpture so you can see his features (below, left):

 
Billy Cover versions: 2A Billy sculpture vs. 2B Billy photo stylized by Dan

   Carole Glenn feels the sculpture is too cold and Dan prefers this last one, on right, while I still bridle at using the same ol' same ol'.

   I woke up this morning and thought: if the theme of the issue is "What if everything we believe about Billy the Kid is wrong?" then shouldn't the cover show a beatific Billy, smiling smugly with a halo over his head?

 
Daily Whip Out: "Smug Mug Billy"

   Perhaps we are over thinking here, but choosing the right cover can mean the difference between winning and going broke. Anyway, no pressure, but we need some input from you. Thanks.

   Oh, and one more thing: we are discussing where Billy got his alias of Bonnie and it dawned on me that the name Bonnie has been around for a long time. Anybody know the history of this dittie?

"My Bonnie lies over the ocean, my Bonnie lies over the sea. . ."
—Beatle cover song