Original Cover Comparison: My Sketch vs. the Artist’s First Cover

Now, let’s compare my original sketch to my artist’s first take on the cover design. As you can see, he took my idea a bit too literally! The result was a cover that used the exact same images from inside the comic, but in color. While he did an excellent job refining the title, adding vibrant borders, and creating a more detailed background, the overall composition felt too close to what was already inside the book.

At first glance, the cover was decent—it had the main characters, action, and a polished look. But it didn’t feel unique or dynamic enough to stand out as the front cover for our very first issue. So, I decided to ask him to take another shot at it, encouraging a more original approach that would capture the energy and excitement of FunkyPilot Academy.

Stay tuned to see how we pushed this cover to the next level! 🚀✈️

The Next Step: A New Direction for the Cover

After reviewing the first draft, I asked the artist to try something different. To guide him, I shared examples from other comic book covers, emphasizing bold designs, dynamic poses, and striking layouts that would grab attention.

What he came up with next was undeniably more vibrant and full of life. The colors popped, the characters felt larger than life, and the whole design had a sense of energy that would make it a fantastic poster for a kid’s room.

NOTE: For premium members, this, and most other covers, are available to download as a high resolution image that can be used as a desktop background or you can print it as a poster. 

However, while it was visually stunning, it still wasn’t quite what I had envisioned for FunkyPilot Academy Issue 1. It was missing that specific feel I wanted—a design that balanced action, storytelling, and the unique charm of our series.

Check out this version below and let me know what you think!

Refining the Vision: Getting Closer to the Final Cover

After reviewing the vibrant new design, I told my artist I liked the direction he was taking, but there were still a few things we needed to tweak. The character style, while eye-catching, was quite different from the art inside the comic, and I felt it was important to maintain consistency for the readers.

Additionally, the “family” scene on the cover looked a bit too happy and serene. While the positive energy was nice, it didn’t fully capture the action and excitement I wanted to showcase. I needed a design that was more dynamic and aligned with the adventurous spirit of FunkyPilot Academy.

The next result, as you can see below, was much closer to what I envisioned. It had a better balance of action, energy, and consistency with the comic’s interior art style. We were finally getting closer to the perfect cover!

Near Perfection: Adding the Final Touch to the Cover

The next cover concept from my artist was explosive—literally! With smoke, fire, and most of the main characters in the middle of the action, it featured an airplane flying dramatically with one engine. To me, this design was close to perfect. It captured the excitement and high stakes of aviation while showcasing the core characters.

But something was still missing. The tone felt a bit too serious for FunkyPilot Academy. One of the unique features of our series is that the airplanes can talk and have faces, adding a playful charm to the stories. I realized this detail needed to be reflected on the cover.

Instead of distracting my artist, who had already moved on to work on Issue 2, I decided to add the airplane’s face myself. After some trial and error, I came up with a design I liked and used it to print a sample copy of the comic. (Choosing the right printer company and proper paper is a whole other story!)

Check out my design for the airplane’s face below. It added the lighthearted touch the cover needed, bringing the design to life and making it unmistakably FunkyPilot Academy – although, it was still not the final cover.

The Final Cover: From Good to Great

I’m no artist, but what do you think about the face I drew on the cover above? Yeah, it wasn’t great, but it was decent enough—or so I thought at first. However, something kept bothering me. It was one of those details I had noticed before but tried to ignore. After all, you can’t always seek perfection if you want to keep moving.

But this detail wouldn’t stop bugging me. The left engine of the airplane (on the right side of the cover) looked way too close to the fuselage, throwing off the symmetry of the entire design. Not only that, but the airplane was supposed to resemble a Boeing 737, which the pilots fly in the story. The nose of the aircraft seemed far too flat to fit the design.

Finally, I decided to ask my artist for one last round of tweaks: move the engine further outward to create proper symmetry and reshape the nose to better resemble a Boeing 737.

The result? A cover that felt just right! It captured the action, charm, and character of FunkyPilot Academy while fixing the details that had been nagging me. Check it out below and let me know what you think—this is the final version that went to print!

Creating a Comic Book Cover: The Final Conclusion

The journey of creating a comic book cover is an adventure of its own—filled with trial, error, and a lot of learning. From initial sketches to multiple revisions, it’s all about finding the right balance between art, storytelling, and the spirit of the series.

So, what do you think about this final cover? I know it’s not perfect—the engines may seem a bit small, the antennas are missing, and the airplane could use more details. But at the end of the day, it’s a comic book! The goal isn’t to achieve technical perfection but to spark the reader’s imagination and draw them into the story.

For me, this cover captures the action, fun, and unique charm of FunkyPilot Academy. It’s bright, bold, and tells a story before you even turn the first page.

What are your thoughts? Does this cover capture your attention and imagination? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your feedback! 🚀✈️

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