Hey folks – you may have already noticed that the site’s banner and menus look a bit … dodgy.
We recently loaded the new banner you now see above, in an effort to streamline the site a bit.
… the CSS behind this template is not cooperating.
Until I resolve it, I thank you for your patience.
- Jonathan
Update: Things are now, for the most part, settled down. Menus may change slightly. The sidebar may still change slightly. But the layout you see is probably the basic template we’re going with for the foreseeable future.
… mischief managed …
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diva_alix on 
Arabella Figg on 
Ally on 
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I could have sworn that the pub used to be on the left and the gate was on the right.
And was there writing on the picture before?
Gaslight …
Very observant!
Yes, the image is now mirrored precisely BECAUSE of the text we’ve added. (Previously, the site’s name was in text ABOVE the banner, taking up precious screen-space.)
Also, the uber-observant reader will notice that the menu is now BELOW the image, and that the image links to “home.”
How does Michael feel about mirror imaging his art work? And superimposing text on the picture?
To me the original conveyed a sense of menace which is not as powerful in the mirror image. Maybe it’s the right hemisphere / left hemisphere thing. Maybe it’s the fact that there is text plastered over the dark side, reducing its impact. Not to mention the fact that the menu is now below is, drawing the eye away from the image.
But I realize that you can’t please everyone, and I’m not a graphic artist, so please treat this just as a passing comment.
I used to love Neal Adams’ art from the Green Lantern / Green Arrow days. And I think he did a bit of X-Men as well. Neat to hear that the new generation knows of his stuff.
Are you referring to me reyhan . If you did, I think I just blushed. I know some people don’t like the new banner, so please if there is anything you guys think I need to work on, tell me. I’m all open to suggestions. i am a young illustrator (and hope to me a comic artist one day) so hit me!
Michael (the artist),
I thought the first picture was dark and menacing and very cool. I especially liked the moon coming up.
I’m not crazy about the changes (the superimposed text which hides the dark buildings, so that I’m always trying to see past the text to whatever’s happening behind it; the missing moon), although I understand there might be reasons for those changes.
I think originally the picture had a sense of mystery and menace – like I said before, I felt that something could jump out from behind the gate or the door. Now it’s gives the sense of an entrance or a gateway, and that’s cool too.
I would not dream of telling you what you need to work on. You develop your own vision. We’ll tell you if we like it or not.
See, instead of saying the Shrieking Shack is “hidden” behind the text, I’d say that the silhouette is “more subtle”. You have to look behind the text, behind the obvious, into the shadows…
just my two cents worth…