Okay, here's four options for the AX series. Because this is something that will want to continue on through future volumes, I've mocked up each idea using both the first volume cover and also with the other illustration you gave me that might wind up on a future volume, to give you an idea of how it might evolve.

CONCEPT #1

This is pretty straightforward, but effective, I think... a good, simple option. Colors can change from series to series but placement, etc, should remain consistant. The top left corner placement mirrors the original japanese covers, so we can be confident that that space will be available on any future illustrations you might want to use.

CONCEPT #2

A slightly more dynamic treatment, still using that original top left corner placement, but spreading the information out a bit as well.

CONCEPT #3

This one is the most intrusive on the art, and for that reason I'm least fond of it, but I wanted to send one option that felt more "magazine-y."

CONCEPT #4

And on the other end of the spectrum, this one is the least intrusive on the art, and therefore my favorite. The cover would contain only the "ax" logo (taken from the original japanese editions) and the minimal type, which can be placed wherever is most attractive on the art. Then the spine becomes much more important for conveying the information that would otherwise have been on the cover, but that's okay because this is going to be such a thick book (400 pages, right?), so we'll have lots of spine real estate to play with. I've mocked up some 3D versions to show how this could work, with the spine picking up on the color from the logo on the cover. The white border around the image on the cover will also help to be a consistent element to maintain harmony through the series.

This last one is definitely my favorite... when you've got such a great image as that girl in flowers image, the more you can let that speak for itself, the better, in my opinion.

So... thoughts? Anything you were hoping to see that isn't here? Just let me know. Thanks!