Stranger Things – Season One
I really like this one. Although there’s no tagline, the art direction is immediately enticing with the retro title font, the bright colors, and the diverse range of characters on display. Eleven (the little girl with the buzzcut) is particularly imposing in the center of the poster. In addition, if you’ve already watched the season, little bits (like the letters and the barn) suddenly gain even greater meaning. Beautiful!
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
A-
Aftermath – Season One
I actually know nothing about Syfy’s upcoming post-apocalyptic drama, and this poster doesn’t do the greatest job of convincing me to give the pilot a shot. I don’t mind the list of apocalyptic omens hovering above our actors, but why do our stars look so photoshopped on a random background with that cheap fake smoke? Basically this is very haphazardly put together.
Tagline: The end of the world is just beginning.
Nad Rating
C-
Bull – Season One
Michael Weatherly was great on Dark Angel (I never watched NCIS), so I’m definitely curious to see if he can pull off a leading-man role. This poster gets props for the super kinky tagline (and integrating the judge’s gavel in the letter U), but other than that? Pretty lazy work if you ask me.
Tagline: He’ll get you off.
Nad Rating
C
MacGyver – Season One
Although I feel like the MacGyver reboot will be a mess of epic proportions, this poster is kind of amusing in a whacky sort of way. The blown-up helicopter in the distance, the makeshift parachute, our protagonists’s gleeful smile – it sort of works doesn’t it? And the line says everything you need to know about the resourceful character.
Tagline: No man has done more with less.
Nad Rating
B+
Lethal Weapon – Season One
This is the season of the reboots isn’t it? Hollywood really is running out of ideas, but at least MacGyver had the decency to pull off a somewhat creative poster. This is just dull, and the word play in the tagline is terrible.Why FOX, why?
Tagline: Good cop. Crazy good cop.
Nad Rating
C-
Quantico – Season Two
It says a lot that ABC thinks the only way they can sell Quantico (a pretty terrible show which I gave up on after a few episodes) is by using their gorgeous star Priyanka Chopra on the poster without even attempting to sell a concept (for the second time in a row). Also, why does her face look so obviously photoshopped on to someone else’s body? At least this one had a line.
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
D
How To Get Away With Murder – Season Three
Props for consistency I guess? In line with the show’s two previous posters (season one and season two), the season three key-art keeps the focus squarely on the show’s primary character Annalise Keating (played by the incredible Viola Davis). Sure the woman’s won an Emmy and she’s a powerhouse in every way, but can’t we at least try to implement a tagline and a concept? Well, at least it kinda looks good.
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
B-
Grey’s Anatomy – Season 13
The marketing team behind Grey’s Anatomy has produced some beautiful pieces over the course of the show’s 12 seasons (see my favorites here, here, here, here, here, and here.) However, much like Murder, this poster is missing a tagline or a clear idea. Nevertheless it’s a visual delight in every way: the colors really pop, and I’m guessing there’s a metaphor about Seattle’s skyline slicing Meredith’s face in half (maybe since she’s always trying to juggle her work and her personal life?). I do love this one!
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
B+
Luke Cage – Season 1
Luke Cage is the third entry in Netflix’s Marvel adventures. Daredevil produced some stunning visuals (see here, here, here, here, here and here) and Jessica Jones gave us this stunner. Sadly, Cage has to settle for this uninspired creation. The font is fitting, but what does this poster tell us exactly? That our hero’s super-strong and bulletproof? A tagline definitely could have saved this one. At least the teaser tried to be creative.
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
C-
Lucifer – Season 2
I gave up on Lucifer after two episodes, and that’s a pity because the pilot was truly great. Maybe I’ll catch up someday, but the season two poster does a horrible job of trying to reel me back in. The Photoshop work is cheap, the tagline is cheesy (this one was actually funny), and it’s just all around boring. I sense a trend?
Tagline: In the city of angels, he’s not one.
Nad Rating
D+
Timeless – Season 1
Timeless hasn’t made its debut yet, so I would think NBC’s marketing department would put a tad more effort in creating the show’s first poster. This is a painfully messy creation that’s just overcrowded with far too many elements. The tagline serves its duty, but it’s nothing special. And why does Abigail Spencer look downright unrecognizable?
Tagline: Protect the past. Save the future.
Nad Rating
D+
American Horror Story – Season 6
And here we arrive at the show with the greatest poster designs since True Blood. AHS has created so many memorable and breathtaking visuals that I’ve actually lost track (see them all here) but this one’s another winner. Although I don’t like the fact that the spider has a face, that’s a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar piece of art. This is moody, atmospheric, and just so very creepy. Spiders lashes for the win!
Tagline: None (and it doesn’t need one).
Nad Rating
A-
Superstore – Season 2
A pretty basic visual for one of television’s funniest sitcoms, but the line? The line just saves it. And that’s the power of good copy. Also, you might have missed it, but there’s a clever little touch with “Grand reopening” by the date.
Tagline: Heroes aren’t born. They’re hired.
Nad Rating
C+
Scream Queens – Season 2
Although I never finished season one of Scream Queens (I eventually lost interest), I loved the show’s debut posters last year (see them all here). Season two’s first poster follows the same trend with a simple visual and another successful attempt at word play. Is it enough to make me want to give season two a shot? That remains to be seen.
Tagline: Oh my Gauze.
Nad Rating
B
Riverdale – Season 1
I was a BIG fan of Archie comics growing up so I’m quite intrigued to see the CW’s darker take on the iconic series. Thanks to its fascinating use of color, this is not your average teen-soap poster. I kind of wish all the characters had that red shade on their face to illustrate everyone’s duality, but the show’s definitely off to a good start.
Tagline: None.
Nad Rating
B
Blindspot – Season 2
Woah this is bad! The photoshop is horrendous, the line is cliche, and the whole thing just screams desperation. It’s a good thing I didn’t stick with Blindspot last season because this is terrible. At least last year’s art was lifeless too.
Tagline: Trust no one.
Nad Rating
D
Prison Break – Mini Series
Now this is gorgeous! Prison Break used to rely on its two stars for its visuals (here and here) so this is a refreshing change. This poster is effortless and impactful, and it doesn’t need to show anything more because this single shot just gets the job done. Oh, and the tagline kicks ass.
Tagline: The breakout return!
Nad Rating
A
24: Legacy- Season 1
Just like the show’s trailer, this is just dull. The tagline works well, but there’s nothing about the visual that stands out in any way. FOX, you can do better.
Tagline: New Day. New Hero.
Nad Rating
D+
Empire – Season 3
Yeah okay, you can’t coast on your two stars forever. I loved the posters for season one and two, but this is just dry and repetitive. Even the taglines are getting redundant. Fail!
Tagline: Their reign. Their rules.
Nad Rating
C-
Fear The Walking Dead – Season 2
Although it’s not as good as its parent show (The Walking Dead), Fear has definitely had better marketing tools. This is a terrifying and visually arresting poster, in line with this terrific shot and the mindblowing season two art. Unlike Lucifer, this poster actually makes me want to get caught up with the show again. Well, almost.
Tagline: Death knows no borders.
Nad Rating
B
Designated Survivor – Season 1
The more I look at this, the more I appreciate it. At first glass, it felt like it was done on Paint, but notice the letter E, and the way Keifer’s coat blends into the black pattern. Also, it’s kind of brilliant how his name and the show’s title make up the tagline.
Tagline: Keifer Sutherland is the Designated Survivor.
Nad Rating
B+
Van Helsing – Season 1
Although no one’s heard of Syfy’s female-centered take on Van Helsing, the poster tells you all you need to know: there’s attitude, there’s a slick dash of color (that orange is perfect), and a witty tagline. Badass!
Tagline: She bites back.
Nad Rating
B+
The Flash- Season 3
How great is that tagline? Unfortunately, unlike this impressive poster, absolutely no effort went into crafting this visual (was this from a random photoshoot?) On the bright side, I won’t put much effort in trying to analyze it either 🙂
Tagline: Flash Back.
Nad Rating
C
My favorite posters are Grey's Anatomy, American Horror Story, and Fear the Walking Dead. Oddly enough, those are all shows that I have struggled with in the past.
The poster of AHS is stunning and the Scream Queens one is clever. Nad, you should review The Americans posters, it's usually great.
You're right I def will! They are beautiful! Thank you 🙂
Haha we're just discussing the posters here! 😀
The Stranger Posters poster is awesome. Looks like the cover of a book.
so true! stunning!