My original design for the font Zombie Punks was heavily inspired by the video rental store era of the 1980s, particularly the horror genre, with films like The Thing, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Return of the Living Dead at the top of my list. Channelling these films’ irreverent energy resulted in a pretty wild typeface design, with a loose and inky brush texture that echoes the poster and VHS cover art of the period.
I couldn’t find better confirmation that I’d nailed the look than when I spotted it on the recent book, Videotapes From Hell by Stephen Jones. Proudly sporting my font on the cover alongside an amazing painting for The Return of the Living Dead by illustration legend, Graham Humphreys. In very good company indeed!
Synopsis:
There was a time when most people could only dream of owning a copy of a movie and watching it whenever they wanted. Then came the invention of home video, and everything changed. Soon video rental stores were turning up all over the world, and as prices gradually became cheaper, so most families purchased a VCR machine as, for the first time, almost anybody could own a copy of a movie and watch it over and over again in the comfort of their own home.
Compiled by multiple award-winning writer and editor Stephen Jones, with a personal Foreword by cult Hollywood director Joe Dante (The Howling, Gremlins), Videotapes from Hell features more than 500 images, including vintage video box covers and sleeves, original artwork, and posters, along with exclusive “video memories” from writers, artists, and filmmakers who were around at the time. – Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
Other Books on VHS Cover Art:
