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)

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1. 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 by Daniel — July 11, 2008 #

2. Holy shit. What a shame. Somebody should be fired.

   Comment by Héctor Muñoz — July 11, 2008 #

3. Just crap. And ill-done crap at that.

   Pretty shameful, really.

   Comment by vanderleun — July 12, 2008 #

4. Truly terrible.

   Comment by Dabitch — July 13, 2008 #

5. 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 by Mario — July 14, 2008 #

6. 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 by jeremy — July 14, 2008 #

7. 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 by bd — July 16, 2008 #

8. 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 by Mario — July 20, 2008 #

9. 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 by Happyplayground — September 24, 2008 #

10. [...] 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 [...]

    Pingback by Magazine covers: pastiche, flattery or laziness? « Magforum — October 15, 2009 #

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