Behind the cover: Night of the Slashers #3

One of the best things about producing Night of the Slashers – my love letter to the gore-fests of the 80s and 90s – was the opportunity to put out a series of stunning variant covers from some of my favourite collaborators. Ario Anindito signed up, as did Robert Hack and Tony Fleecs. We almost got a cover from Corin Howell – who I worked with on Shadow Service —but we couldn't make the schedules line up. Shame. Maybe next time!

However, when it came to issue 3, I knew exactly who I wanted, my friend Vincenzo Riccardi who I've worked with for years, first on Scream! and, more recently, Star Wars.

I was pleased as punch when he agreed – and even more so when he sent over his initial ideas.

Here they are:

Editor Bobby Curnow chimed in and said that, while he liked options B and C, version A worked better since the title needed to sit at the top of the cover in case the book was stacked on the shelf. Branding comes first, after all,

It was hard to argue, so neither Paul nor I did – and just a few weeks later, Vin's completed art arrived in our inboxes.

That's what we went with – and I still love it – but I also loved versions B and C, so... I commissioned it anyway – especially for you lovely lot!

Here, for my loyal subscribers, is the exclusive reveal of the Night of the Slashers cover that might have been:

How cool is that? In my head, it's the movie poster – or maybe on the VHS box!

And, thanks to the generosity of Vin, I also have the original inks.

What a gent he is!

If you haven't read Night of the Slashers yet, you can grab your own copy by hitting the button below!

Until next time, look after yourself and each other!

P.S. If you missed my last post, I shared some fun graphics for Night of the Slashers, Dead Seas and Shadow Service. They’re perfect for spooky season, so if you fancy helping me spread the scares, you’ll find them here!