Last week, I offered up what I personally thought were the ten best magazine covers produced in 2015. The response has been mostly positive and rather enlightening. And to answer one correspondents question:
“There’s no way I could possibly see all of the magazines on the newsstand. But the person who works the receiving dock at a magazine wholesaler probably has seen most of them.”
In the end, the selections are personal.
So why offer a list of Runner Ups? Why offer what is often considered by some to be a participation trophy?
The answer is simple. My desktop folder of 2015 covers is pretty large by my standards. More than 80 different covers were considered. Thirty eight made it into the initial list for the top ten.
Therefore, for your consideration, I’d like to offer these five for you to look at, think about, and ask yourself, “Should they have made it into the top ten?”
Food for thought.
The Runner Up Best Covers of 2015
Fur-Fish-Game September 2015 90th Anniversary Issue
This September, Fur-Fish-Game Magazine celebrated it’s 90th consecutive year of publishing. This monthly magazine has always featured an illustrated cover and often the images are striking. This issue perfectly captures the wilderness and the audience that the magazine services.
Entertainment Weekly Special issue honoring Leonard Nimoy
The soul of the original cast of the Sci-Fi TV show “Star Trek” was found in Leonard Nimoy’ s portrayal of the logic oriented alien, Mr. Spock. This shot perfectly captures how Nimoy played this part. Not for laughs, not too stiff. But approachable, intelligent, someone to model yourself after. Someone human.
Put A Egg On It Issue #7
To be completely honest, I have to confess that I have never actually seen a copy of this magazine. Their distribution is tiny and it’s a long ride to the nearest store that may or may not have a copy.
And I really don’t like magazines that use issue numbers rather than cover dates (stale magazines are stale magazines).
But what a fun name! What an interesting logo. And I’m a sucker for food magazines. And I am going to go looking for a copy.
Teen Vogue August 2015
Teen Vogue’s August cover got a decent amount of attention for featuring three black models.
Leaving aside the fact that mainstream magazines need to acknowledge the presence and contribution of persons of color to the fashion world, it’s simply a great cover. Cover lines, poses, color. This is a great cover. And a great message.
The Most Egregious Cover of 2015
Interview Magazine December 2015
Frankly, I really don’t have anything against the Kardashian clan. They figured out a way to access fame and turn their small, tidy fortune into a big sprawling fortune of fame, fashion and reality television. Well played Kris Jenner.
Likewise, while I’m a fan of social justice, I’m not the type who opposes able bodied actors portraying persons with disabilities.
But my issue with this particular part of the shoot was that it was supposedly exploring her image as an “object of vast media scrutiny.”
Sorry Kylie. Before you were 18, you were the subject of your family’s control. Now, as an adult, you are volunteering for the scrutiny. Your fame and fortune does not disable you. You’re only a poseable plaything if you allow that to happen to yourself.
What magazine covers did you see in 2015 that you think deserves mention? Anything out there that you found particularly egregious?
If you want to see what magazine covers made the cut in previous years, click on this link.
The “Top Ten” covers of 2015 can be found by clicking on this link.
From the Foredeck of the Titanic 
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