Textual Analysis of movie magazine (Cyprian)

The above movie magazine front cover is the January 2008, Dark Knight Issue of the British film magazine ‘Empire’.  The fact that the name of the month is used instead of a specific date immediately suggests that this magazine is released monthly.

The front cover consists of an image of the Joker (the main antagonist in The Dark Knight, played by Heath Ledger) sitting in what appears to be a jail cell, with low key lighting, possibly chosen to reflect the dark, twisted nature of the Joker's character which the connotations of this magazine exude. I am given this impression by factors such as the font used in the Jokers name. It is one usually associated with ransom letters and suicide notes pieced together with newspaper cut-outs. Spray paint markings on the front cover also help to promote darkness, as spray paint graffiti is commonly regarded as the work of disturbed teenagers. 

He is dressed in his usual wacky attire and has a very open body language. The non verbal communication on the face of the Joker as well as his dress sense supports his wacky appearance. The front cover also follows a clear colour scheme of purple, green and white, colours widely recognised as ‘the Jokers colours’, thus employing consistency between the magazine and the joker character. Surrounding the Joker are cover lines such as ‘Meet the Joker’ and “He’s a cold-blooded, mass-murdering clown!”  The other cover lines also inform the reader of other content in the magazine besides the main ‘Dark Knight’ feature.  

This special edition magazine is also an excellent example of synergistic marketing for the film that the character on the front cover stars in (The Dark Knight). As two  seperate forces in Empire magazine and The Dark Knight have come together for one desired outcome; to promote both the film and the magazine.