Split Decision

May 22, 2018
   Our most recent cover dilemma did not turn out the way I thought it might. The staff was equally torn between two, pretty spectacular cover concepts:

Dueling Covers

   When I put the two covers on this blog and Facebook and asked our readers to weigh in, one cover polled much stronger than the other (the Curtis cover, at left, got the most votes). The comments on both sides were compelling and passionate:

"I believe the Curtis cover (Vanishing Illusions) is a homerun. Super compelling."
—John Fusco

"The Curtis cover graphic grabs you immediately."
—Jeff Prechtel

"I think Curtis would have a broader appeal."
—Marshall Trimble

"What a difficult choice! I love both. I don't know the story of the Power brothers and feel that the Curtis cover may have more universal appeal."
—Carole Glenn

"For me, long shots are not as interesting as faces and close ups. So I think cover #2 (The Power of Redemption) is stronger."
—Larry Winget

"Both are great covers. I love the artistic nature of the Curtis cover but my gut tells me the Power cover would have more newsstand appeal."
—Linda Blair, our newsstand consultant

"I am obviously prejudiced in favor of outlaws and lawmen, but I vote for the Power shootout. I think that will really grab anyone at the newsstand."
—John Boessenecker

"As much as I like Curtiss work, I prefer the redemption photo for our cover."
—Jana Bommersbach

"I like the Curtis cover better, but the Power cover is eye-grabbing and makes you wonder what the story is. I think that's your newsstand cover."
—Jeff Mariotte

"The Power of Redemption cover has imperative. The Curtis cover is passive."
—Red Shuttleworth

"Redemption looks like it would grab more attention on the newsstand, and I say that in spite of how much I love Curtis' work."
—Mark Tickler

"It looks to me like the Power cover has it."
—Mundo Con Queso

    On the day we went to press—about ten days ago—we had one final, spirited debate about the pros and cons on the covers and it mirrored pretty closely to the comments, above. 

   In the end, however, when we broke it down, everyone agreed we had made the right call.

   If you are a subscriber, you will know within the next 48 hours which cover we went with. If you buy True West off the newsstand you will have to wait another week, and if you are slumming here for free, and have no intention of buying the issue, I'm not going to tell you. Ever.


"Everything may, in fact, want to be free, as they say, but that's not how you pay the bills."
—Old Norwegian Saying