Page 4 - Issue 35

Editor’s Notes

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’ve never been afraid to do things differently, especially when it comes to e never been afraid to do things differently, especially when it comes to
the “do’s and don’ts” of the newsstand. Before we ever hit the newsstand
the “do’s and don’ts” of the newsstand. Before we ever hit the newsstand
I was being educated in the ways of the mainstream retail world – what
I was being educated in the ways of the mainstream retail world – what
Icovers should look like, what we should be featuring, etc. Everybody out
covers should look like, what we should be featuring, etc. Everybody out
there seemed to have an opinion. While I listened to all these “rules,” I stored
there seemed to have an opinion. While I listened to all these “rules,” I stored
them away and referred to them in my mind as the what everyone else is
them away and referred to them in my mind as the what everyone else is
doing formula. My goal – break those rules enough to shake up the newsstand
doing formula. My goal – break those rules enough to shake up the newsstand
without going belly-up, and prove that creativity and innovation is more
without going belly-up, and prove that creativity and innovation is more
powerful than the status quo. I got my fi rst chance to test this approach with
powerful than the status quo. I got my fi rst chance to test this approach with
Issue #6, our very fi rst full national newsstand release. Somewhere along
Follow me on Twitter Issue #6, our very fi rst full national newsstand release. Somewhere along
@EditorStevo the road I was told that certain colors didn’t work on the newsstand – blue
the road I was told that certain colors didn’t work on the newsstand – blue
being one of those no no’s. I seized the opportunity to feature a car with blue
being one of those no no’s. I seized the opportunity to feature a car with blue
highlights, created a blue cover, and titled it “Touch of Blue.” This wasn’t me
highlights, created a blue cover, and titled it “Touch of Blue.” This wasn’t me
trying to be rebellious as much as it was me saying, wait a second, if everyone
trying to be rebellious as much as it was me saying, wait a second, if everyone
is afraid of a blue cover – we’re going to stand out. We should, in theory, have
is afraid of a blue cover – we’re going to stand out. We should, in theory, have
the only blue cover on the newsstand… right? And, we were for the most part.
the only blue cover on the newsstand… right? And, we were for the most part.
Issue #6 popped, and it was glorious.
Issue #6 popped, and it was glorious.
Now, that eagerness to take the path less travelled hasn’t always been
Now, that eagerness to take the path less travelled hasn’t always been
successful. We’ve had stinkers, and I’ve made some decisions that felt right
successful. We’ve had stinkers, and I’ve made some decisions that felt right
at the time but ultimately weren’t the greatest. But through all of the ups and
at the time but ultimately weren’t the greatest. But through all of the ups and
downs, one thing has always remained constant – I want to create something
downs, one thing has always remained constant – I want to create something
amazing and make a statement,
amazing and make a statement,
especially on the cover, and I am
especially on the cover, and I am
not afraid to get artsy or take an
not afraid to get artsy or take an
unorthodox approach.
unorthodox approach.
Jump back to Issue #7. We did two
Jump back to Issue #7. We did two
different covers (both randomly on the
different covers (both randomly on the
newsstand at the same time) featuring
newsstand at the same time) featuring
the post-apocalyptic photography of
the post-apocalyptic photography of
one Craig Gum. Sound familiar? Those
one Craig Gum. Sound familiar? Those
Issue #7 covers were admittedly dark
Issue #7 covers were admittedly dark
and maybe a little creepy, but that was
and maybe a little creepy, but that was
the point – and once again, they stood
the point – and once again, they stood
out on the newsstand. Here we are
out on the newsstand. Here we are
28 issues later, and Craig Gum returns
28 issues later, and Craig Gum returns
with that same artistic, dark, post-
with that same artistic, dark, post-
apocalyptic vision – and once again
apocalyptic vision – and once again
his work adorns our cover. These days,
his work adorns our cover. These days,
it’s not so much intentionally going against
it’s not so much intentionally going against
the grain – it’s more of just doing what
the grain – it’s more of just doing what
we want, creating cool stuff, and taking a
we want, creating cool stuff, and taking a
chance with something different when the
chance with something different when the
opportunity arises.
opportunity arises.
Enjoy the issue – and RAT ON.
Enjoy the issue – and RAT ON.
— Steve
— Steve
4 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-FIVE
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