Rose approached Chinese artist Chen Zhuo for permission to use a painting of Tiananmen Square as an amusement park for the album cover, but Zhuo declined. Shi Lifeng's painting "Controlling No. 3" was chosen by Rose and used as an alternate cover for an "art edition". It was used for the "Rock Band 2" download and released on CD in small quantities. The alternate booklet opens with a short essay written by Rose titled "Fear N' Freedom: The Future of China and Western Society". The album booklet features several artworks by Lifeng, including a bloodied fist holding a star covered by flailing human figures. Photographs of the Hong Kong skyline and the Chinese military also appear in the booklet. The booklet also includes pictures of Rose, Buckethead, Stinson, Pitman, Finck, Fortus, Bumblefoot, Reed, Brain, and Ferrer alongside lyrics to the songs.