The "FM towns version" would be roughly the same quality (at best) as the LEC-label box, and still suffers from the standard cropping and having the logo over the top 3rd of the painting. My scan of the Kixx box kept all the quality of the Kixx box, which is much better then any LEC-label box (they likley used a different company to print their boxes then LEC). I removed the LucasArts logo in 300dpi (using my own scan of the MI2 hintbook) - the lower quality is obscured because its dark, I couldn't get away with doing that on the MI1 box-art (though I did re-draw in some of it).
If it's quality you're after, the only way to get better quality is to use a higher quality source, and I don't know of any higher quality then the Kixx box (unless you get a print off the original painting). I don't think "cleaning" the entire image is the best idea anyway, because it will still be cropped from the original painting (which of course is normal for box-art, however a real poster of the painting would not be cropped - well it might have the "boarders" cropped off, but that'd be it). Personally I prefer quality.
With that said, I used the Kixx box because it would be the best quality, not because it was easiest. I have an eye for detail, and so I hevily edited the MI2 logo on the Kixx box. Here's my source image of the Kixx box (prepared to be edited into what you've seen as my final image):
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9711/source1md8.jpg)
There are 4 main changes to the logo from the original box, and my source image of the LEC box is here:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4369/source2nr1.jpg)
The main changes to the Kixx-box logo are: 1. it's squashed horizontally, 2. the "LeChuck's Revenge" text on the paper sits higher and is black, 3. The paper itself is both higher above "Monkey Island 2", and its curled ends have been cropped off, 4. Because this was a licensed release, "TM" is replaced with (R). The Monkey Island text is also more orange then the original yellow, and it's worth noting the entire logo is over the picture, whereas the top section extends outside the painting box on the original box (which is fine for an original release, but for re-releases, and if-you-like later legacy releases like say if was to be released officially in a DVD-keepcase then you'd expect the logo to be in the image).
The only two things I felt compelled to change was the placement of the LeChuck's text (because I think it's too high on the Kixx box, and too black), and removal of the (R).
My final looks like this:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3561/edited1zr2.jpg)
But then, when I made the DVD cover I changed my mind about extending the paper:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2867/edited2vu7.jpg)
The reason it's extended on my DVD cover and not on this image (
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/55288876/) is because I did it after I had fiddled with the colours (and I didn't want to do it all again), so I just matched the paper colour and tacked it on in the 11th hour. I don't really think it looks any better like that, but that was the original way the logo was.
I think if I was to make another "Monkey Island Madness" cover, I would use the paper to re-create the "Monkey Island Madness" paper logo you see here:
http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/monkey-island-madness/cover-art/gameCoverId,72630/) (since they used it for that), and use an MI2 logo without the paper like this:
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5255/boxartmi2fromexemd1.gif)
That would look quite good next to the MI1 logo as well. I probably could have cloned out "By Ron Gilbert", but as I said earlier it was providing a nice distraction from the blend between the Kixx scan and the LEC scan. I actually had half a mind to leave the full "A graphic adventure by Ron Gilbert" on it, but I really didn't think it looked very good like that!
In conclusion, I was aiming to create an image with no external border from the original Kixx scan, which showed as much of Purcell's painting as the LEC box did. Most of the changes were done with my "1200dpi" scan (I should note that I believe my scanner is incapable of true 1200x1200dpi, and I think scans at 1200x960dpi or something, but I could be wrong I'd have to read its manual - keep in mind I did all this 2 years ago now, and bought the scanner prior to that). I could have removed the "LucasArts" logo in 1200dpi by cloning it over, but I replaced it after resizing it because it was easier, and would actually be closer to the original then cloning.
For my own use it was perfect, and I absolutely guarantee it looks fantastic when printed:
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6024/printedwr2.jpg)
--edit--
Here is my complete MI collection:
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/318/collectionbe4.jpg)
Not pictured is the SWOTL manual, 2x LucasArts Archives boxes, and the CMI discs. In total I have:
MI1CD - Monkey Island VGA, CD-ROM x2
MI1CDB - Monkey Island VGA, Madness CD-ROM
MI1VGA7 - Monkey Island VGA, 7-disk version (Classic Tales compilation) x2 (3.5", one complete 7 disks and 3 disks from my original version)
MI2CD - Monkey Island 2, Madness CD-ROM
MI2DISK - Monkey Island 2, Floppy disk version (5.25")
MI2DISKB - Monkey Island 2, Kixx version (3.5")
More specifically:
Monkey Island 1 VGA, part of "Classic Tales":
Just 5 surviving game disks from all four original games, non-working.
Dial-a-pirate code-wheel.
Original Instruction Manual (which covers Duck Tales, Rocketeer and Monkey Island).
I'm missing: the box, many of the floppies, the SWOTL manual, and both the SWOTL and Rocketeer codewheels.
Monkey Island 1 VGA, CD-ROM (complete!):
CD-ROM, which has many light marks but works flawlessly.
Original CD-ROM slip-cover, which is damaged.
Original manual, in excellent shape considering its age and use.
Monkey Island 2 (Kixx - complete!):
Original 5 disks, non-working.
Original manual, in good order.
Original box in good shape.
That is the original stuff from my childhood, the rest I bought later:
Classic Tales:
I bought a 2nd-hand copy of the game off ebay with the box in perfect condition. It has all the disks for all 4 games, and I had them backed up before it was posted, every disk worked flawlessly (but I used the CD-R backup).
It did not have any of the three codewheels, unfortunatly, nor did it have the main instruction manual (but it did have the SWOTL manual which I was missing). Thus I'm still missing the rocketeer and SWOTL codewheels from the set, when combined with my original set.
Monkey Island CD-ROM:
I bought a new-and-sealed CD-ROM version off ebay for about US$20 or so; which had a perfect-condition CD, the manual still has the blue "read first" back on it as well as a perfect-condition CD-slipcover. The manual has some scratches to it, despite being sealed when I bought it. I have kept this item in its entirety.
I bought a used "big-box" CD-ROM version off ebay; at that stage I was simply wanting to "complete" my collection. The big box was complete; and I've kept every part of it with the exception of the CD-ROM (game) which I re-sold as disc-only on eBay (2 copies is enough).
Monkey Island 2:
I managed to find in absolutly stunning condition a copy of Monkey Island 2 (original label) on floppy disk, and I couldn't resist adding it to the collection. The disks remain untested (when I bought the game I did have 2 5.25" floppy drives that I'd never tested and I figured it wouldn't be worth it). The box is in mint condition, and it's complete with mint condition manual, techincal reference card and it even has the original store reciept. It was sold with the Hint Book, also in perfect shape!
Monkey Island Atari ST version:
Again, this was complete (except for tha absence of its codewheel) and in excellent condition. I managed to back up the disks without a problem. Again, it has the manual, reference card and box.
Monkey Island Amiga version (Kixx box):
I bought this again because it had the Kixx box and was complete, and like the Atari ST version I backed up the disks. I sold the disks and codewheel on eBay and just kept the box and manual. (In case you're wondering, I used the back-up to give a CD-R copy of the Amiga disk images to the buyer, I didn't advertise it in the auction, but as I was selling it with MI2 for Amiga I wanted to make sure the buyer would have no problems).
LucasArts Archives:
I bougth several incomplete versions, and resold games individually. I have kept a complete set, not just including the Monkey Island Madness CD (that specific disc was brand new when I got it and is still in spotless condition), but the other 5 discs as well and even 2 boxes (additional discs and boxes aren't in photo).
Hintbooks:
I had previously purchased a MI2 hintbook, which was in equal condition to the one I have now (which is like brand-new), but I resold it as it was a budget-release that didn't use the red plastic reader (though the print quality was equal). The Monkey Island 1 Hint Book is more difficuilt to get, and I believe it came with the Kixx Amiga version which I purchased. I have both the "red readers", although only one is in the photo (the other was in the hintbook when photographed).
Monkey Island Bounty Pack Manual:
This is the CMI manual. I actually don't remember how or why I got this manual, but I do know that the version of CMI I own originally came from a big box and was sold to me without its box or manual (ie it does not have the PDF version on the disc).
Digitally I have all the English PC versions of Monkey Island 1 and 2 I know about:
MI1CD - Monkey Island CD-ROM
MI1CDB - Monkey Island on Madness CD-ROM (no copy protection)
MI1EGA4 - Monkey Island, 4-disk version
MI1EGA8 - Monkey Island, 8-disk version
MI1VGA4 - Monkey Island VGA, 4-disk version
MI1VGA4B - Monkey Island VGA, Classic-Adventures/PC-Gamer version (no copy protection)
MI1VGA7 - Monkey Island VGA, 7-disk version
MI1VGA8 - Monkey Island VGA, 8-disk version
MI2CD - Monkey Island 2, Madness CD-ROM (no copy protection)
MI2DISK - Monkey Island 2, floppy disk version
MI2DISKB - Monkey Island 2, Kixx version (no copy protection)
I even have installation files for many of these (not to mention that of course I legally own more then half of them, and if you exclude the technical differences the only version I don't actually own is Monkey Island EGA for PC, but I own it for the AtariST). I own all three MI2 versions. The only thing I would like to add to my collection is the rare big-box Monkey Island Madness (and I'd sell the disc off - I only need one disc).
Here's a little bonus scan for everyone to enjoy off one of my 3 Monkey1 CD-cases (I think it's my original one, but I could be wrong), click to download full-size (2.5M):
http://www.imagebanana.com/img/cb57719/thumb/monkey1_cdcase.jpg) (
http://www.imagebanana.com/img/cb57719/monkey1_cdcase.jpg)