July 11, 2008
How far we have come
If you thought the British re-creation of Esquires’ iconic Muhammad Ali as St Sebastian front cover was disappointing, check out next months’ US edition.
I’m still hoping this is some kind of hoax but I’m afraid it’s real. (thanks Andrew)
10 Comments
Comment on July 11, 2008 by Daniel says:
Not only is the picture poorly framed (why not frame it like he original?), look at all that hideous text!
And it raises an interesting question – can a school hooting ever be explained?
Comment on July 11, 2008 by Héctor Muñoz says:
Holy shit. What a shame. Somebody should be fired.
Comment on July 12, 2008 by vanderleun says:
Just crap. And ill-done crap at that.
Pretty shameful, really.
Comment on July 13, 2008 by Dabitch says:
Truly terrible.
Comment on July 14, 2008 by Mario says:
I’m not saying it’s genius but do you guys not see the humor in Esquires’ covers? They’re self referential and fun, something I find refreshing coming from a mainstream mag. I wouldn’t take them so seriously – I prefer 032c as well, but lets look at these in context. This is box office stuff, not art house.
Comment on July 14, 2008 by jeremy says:
Nobody’s saying they should be high art, Mario, but they could be so much better. George Lois’ covers are rightly considered classics and it’s very sad to see that history so poorly referenced.
Comment on July 16, 2008 by bd says:
For both – I am just curious as to how many archers there were. Look at all the different angles…half of sherwood forest must have been in the line up.
Comment on July 20, 2008 by Mario says:
It’s apples and oranges. George Lois is an obvious classic, but the editorial tone of the magazine has changed entirely and a cover a la Mr. Lois simply wouldn’t make sense. Culture has gone down the toilet. Things ain’t what they used to be. To any intelligent person those statements are so obvious it goes without saying. My point is, the new incarnation of Esquire, at the very least, recognizes and even attempts to make light of the fact. And that’s bold and original.
I mean you have to hand it to them. They put Jessica Simpson on their cover along with text clearly stating that the only reason why was to sell the magazine. Name one other major magazine making that kind of social commentary on their cover. Not only that, they probably sold the magazine and pleased the advertisers at the same time.
Comment on September 24, 2008 by Happyplayground says:
I love Colbert, but this is poorly executed. The blood spots even; just the lack of composition in where the wounds are placed became obvious to me right away.
Sad since it would have been brilliant to show him in the same way as Ali, without the humor.
That would be more funny. Then set up those arrows a little more meticulously.
Maybe it was a bad day.
Comment on October 15, 2009 by Magazine covers: pastiche, flattery or laziness? « Magforum says:
[...] Leslie has had a go at repetitive covers and SPD has picked up on him. There’s a similar selection of other people’s ideas at [...]
