# Tim Jacobus Reveals Goosebumps Cover Secrets > Artist Tim Jacobus explains how he created iconic Goosebumps book covers with hidden details. - Title: Tim Jacobus Reveals Goosebumps Cover Secrets · BuzzFeed - Summary: Artist Tim Jacobus explains how he created iconic Goosebumps book covers with hidden details. Tim Jacobus shared how he designed Goosebumps book covers… - Keywords: tim jacobus, goosebumps, book covers, easter eggs, r.l. stine, science fiction, art, cover design, goosebumps books, book art, entertainment, culture - Source: BuzzFeed — https://buzzfeed.com/andrewfirriolo/tim-jacobus-goosebumps-covers-hidden-details-interview - Published: 2026-10-27T14:16:02+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: tim jacobus, goosebumps, book covers, easter eggs, r.l. stine, science fiction, art, cover design, goosebumps books, book art, entertainment, culture ## Goosebumps Cover Inspiration Tim Jacobus created Goosebumps covers using album art and creative concepts. > This was a fun one. I was inspired by the album cover for the Grateful Dead's Blues for Allah. ## Cobwebs on Mirror Cover Cobwebs were added to Let's Get Invisible after Tim sent his final version. > When you have people on covers, you need your reference material. ## Deep Trouble Cover Concept The hammerhead shark cover for Deep Trouble leaned toward the Jaws movie poster. > The hammerhead shark by itself would have worked well, but what makes this cover effective is that we see the kid's legs. ## My Hairiest Adventure Tim used family members as models for the My Hairiest Adventure cover. > That one was fun because it was more comical than anything else. ## Science Fiction Cover Tim worked with model Fabio for a sci-fi cover featuring dragons and technology. > I asked the woman, 'Who should we use?' And she goes, 'Oh, you know who would be really great at this? You could use Fabio. ## Barking Ghost Cover The Barking Ghost cover uses simple design for maximum impact. > A formula I found for an effective Goosebumps cover is that the simpler you can make it and get your point across, the more impactful the image will be. ## Haunted Mask II Tim created a different mask for Haunted Mask II to avoid reusing the first. > As I worked on this cover, I actually didn't know the first Haunted Mask was such a fan favorite. ## Shrunken Head Easter Egg Tim hid a truck drawing for his son on the How I Got My Shrunken Head cover. > I used to draw for my son all the time. He used to always ask me to draw the same things over and over again. ## Night of the Living Dummy Tim added a yellow checkered suit to one dummy in Night of the Living Dummy III. > I thought we needed a little burst of color, so I made a dummy have a yellow checkered suit. ## How I Learned to Fly Tim included Converse shoes as an Easter egg for his mom on How I Learned to Fly. > Back in the day, I wore Converse. Even right now, I still have them on. ## The Blob That Ate Everyone Tim initially designed The Blob That Ate Everyone as a baked potato. > When I did it in pencil, it kind of looked like a baked potato coming down the street. ## Goosebumps Cover Philosophy Tim believes simple covers with strong visuals work best for Goosebumps. > The Barking Ghost, and also The Haunted Mask, has just one thing in the center, and it gets all of your attention. ## Tim's Art Collection Tim sells prints of Goosebumps covers online and has a growing collection. > I just recently added that to the collection of prints that I sell online. ## Easter Eggs for Fans Tim hid Easter eggs in multiple Goosebumps covers for personal reasons. > So I thought, Yeah, let's throw that one up on the wall too, and give that truck a little fame. ## Goosebumps Legacy Tim's Goosebumps covers remain iconic and influential in children's literature. > Safe to say, I'll never look at these covers the same way again. ## Key takeaway Tim Jacobus shared how he designed Goosebumps book covers, including Easter eggs for his son and sci-fi influences.