Bowie's manager, Tony DeFries, operated on the principle that by making an album cover extremely expensive, the record label would be financially compelled to promote the album heavily to recoup their significant investment, thereby ensuring its success.
Unlike earlier artists whose image was an authentic extension of themselves, Bowie pioneered the concept of a musician as a series of ever-changing, confected personas (e.g., Ziggy Stardust). This approach elevated his status from a traditional 'star' to a manufactured, otherworldly 'superstar'.
The lightning flash on the 'Aladdin Sane' cover has a layered history. Bowie adapted it from Elvis Presley's 'Taking Care of Business' (TCB) logo. Elvis, in turn, had borrowed the TCB letters and lightning symbol from a group called the Templar Christian Brotherhood.