these printed moments are forever burned into our memories and the public
into our memories and the public
into our memories and the public consciousness welcome to watchmojo.com
consciousness welcome to watchmojo.com
consciousness welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten iconic magazine covers
for the top ten iconic magazine covers
for the top ten iconic magazine covers every time I would say I’m gay when I’d
every time I would say I’m gay when I’d
every time I would say I’m gay when I’d lean forward to the microphone and say
lean forward to the microphone and say
lean forward to the microphone and say I’m gay
I’m gay
I’m gay for the rehearsal every time I’d sob
for the rehearsal every time I’d sob
for the rehearsal every time I’d sob because I had never said that
because I had never said that
because I had never said that for this list we’re ranking the most
for this list we’re ranking the most
for this list we’re ranking the most memorable and timely images from the
memorable and timely images from the
memorable and timely images from the covers of magazines these photographs
covers of magazines these photographs
covers of magazines these photographs and drawings serve to capture our
and drawings serve to capture our
and drawings serve to capture our imaginations encapsulate the times or
imaginations encapsulate the times or
imaginations encapsulate the times or serve as true topics of water-cooler
serve as true topics of water-cooler
serve as true topics of water-cooler conversation politics pop culture and
conversation politics pop culture and
conversation politics pop culture and social commentary are all considered
social commentary are all considered
social commentary are all considered here as the cover images serve as
here as the cover images serve as
here as the cover images serve as enduring Testaments of the day Steve
enduring Testaments of the day Steve
enduring Testaments of the day Steve McCurry was shooting in refugee camps
McCurry was shooting in refugee camps
McCurry was shooting in refugee camps along the afghanistan-pakistan border
along the afghanistan-pakistan border
along the afghanistan-pakistan border looking for an image to tell the
looking for an image to tell the
looking for an image to tell the dramatic human story behind the
dramatic human story behind the
dramatic human story behind the headlines of war and horror I saw this
headlines of war and horror I saw this
headlines of war and horror I saw this one little girl off in the corner with
one little girl off in the corner with
one little girl off in the corner with this incredible uh look number 10 M also
this incredible uh look number 10 M also
this incredible uh look number 10 M also known as oh my god we hit a little girl
known as oh my god we hit a little girl
known as oh my god we hit a little girl Esquire
Esquire
Esquire what an important role the headline
what an important role the headline
what an important role the headline plays white lettering adorns a stark
plays white lettering adorns a stark
plays white lettering adorns a stark black background on this October 1966
black background on this October 1966
black background on this October 1966 issue of Esquire magazine written by
issue of Esquire magazine written by
issue of Esquire magazine written by John sack the cover story within details
John sack the cover story within details
John sack the cover story within details the experiences of M company a troop of
the experiences of M company a troop of
the experiences of M company a troop of soldiers from New Jersey during the
soldiers from New Jersey during the
soldiers from New Jersey during the Vietnam War the shocking headline
Vietnam War the shocking headline
Vietnam War the shocking headline represents the tales terrible climax
represents the tales terrible climax
represents the tales terrible climax when the soldiers kill a seven-year-old
when the soldiers kill a seven-year-old
when the soldiers kill a seven-year-old with a hand grenade oh my god we hit a
with a hand grenade oh my god we hit a
with a hand grenade oh my god we hit a little girl immediately jumps off the
little girl immediately jumps off the
little girl immediately jumps off the page succinctly conjuring up images of
page succinctly conjuring up images of
page succinctly conjuring up images of war violence and all the complications
war violence and all the complications
war violence and all the complications of the aftermath
of the aftermath
of the aftermath this magazine cover proves that
this magazine cover proves that
this magazine cover proves that sometimes simplicity is key in
sometimes simplicity is key in
sometimes simplicity is key in presenting a story with the words and
presenting a story with the words and
presenting a story with the words and lack of images working together to
lack of images working together to
lack of images working together to create the most intense impact possible
create the most intense impact possible
create the most intense impact possible number nine view of the world from 9th
number nine view of the world from 9th
number nine view of the world from 9th Avenue The New Yorker The New Yorker I
Avenue The New Yorker The New Yorker I
Avenue The New Yorker The New Yorker I bet Lois just dad reads dish I’d be more
bet Lois just dad reads dish I’d be more
bet Lois just dad reads dish I’d be more apathetic
apathetic
apathetic if I weren’t sho lethargic this
if I weren’t sho lethargic this
if I weren’t sho lethargic this influential American magazine has been
influential American magazine has been
influential American magazine has been publishing high-minded cartoons
publishing high-minded cartoons
publishing high-minded cartoons political essays satire and more for
political essays satire and more for
political essays satire and more for decades remaining a constant companion
decades remaining a constant companion
decades remaining a constant companion for the intellectual since its
for the intellectual since its
for the intellectual since its first issue back in 1925 one of their
first issue back in 1925 one of their
first issue back in 1925 one of their classic covers however is an iconic
classic covers however is an iconic
classic covers however is an iconic drawing depicting Manhattan’s ninth
drawing depicting Manhattan’s ninth
drawing depicting Manhattan’s ninth Avenue in detail centralized as the
Avenue in detail centralized as the
Avenue in detail centralized as the heart of the world
heart of the world
heart of the world the sharp illustration is said to be a
the sharp illustration is said to be a
the sharp illustration is said to be a comment on the narcissism of some New
comment on the narcissism of some New
comment on the narcissism of some New Yorkers and has been the subject of
Yorkers and has been the subject of
Yorkers and has been the subject of numerous parodies over the years in fact
numerous parodies over the years in fact
numerous parodies over the years in fact a US Supreme Court ruling was even
a US Supreme Court ruling was even
a US Supreme Court ruling was even issued in favor of the pieces creator
issued in favor of the pieces creator
issued in favor of the pieces creator Saul Steinberg against Columbia Pictures
Saul Steinberg against Columbia Pictures
Saul Steinberg against Columbia Pictures for illegally infringing upon his
for illegally infringing upon his
for illegally infringing upon his copyright with their promotional poster
copyright with their promotional poster
copyright with their promotional poster for the 1984 film Moscow on the Hudson
for the 1984 film Moscow on the Hudson
for the 1984 film Moscow on the Hudson what does the Marxist look like anyway
what does the Marxist look like anyway
what does the Marxist look like anyway music has Beauty must urge the women to
music has Beauty must urge the women to
music has Beauty must urge the women to know she especially women number 8
know she especially women number 8
know she especially women number 8 Bill Clinton Esquire it’s a great
Bill Clinton Esquire it’s a great
Bill Clinton Esquire it’s a great country it deserves our best thank you
country it deserves our best thank you
country it deserves our best thank you and God bless
and God bless
and God bless mm was quite a year for President Bill
mm was quite a year for President Bill
mm was quite a year for President Bill Clinton nearing the end of his second
Clinton nearing the end of his second
Clinton nearing the end of his second term he was captured in this December
term he was captured in this December
term he was captured in this December 2000 Esquire cover image by a wide-angle
2000 Esquire cover image by a wide-angle
2000 Esquire cover image by a wide-angle lens at waist level with his hands on
lens at waist level with his hands on
lens at waist level with his hands on his knees and a grin on his face
his knees and a grin on his face
his knees and a grin on his face what photographer platen and the
what photographer platen and the
what photographer platen and the president crafted in only an
president crafted in only an
president crafted in only an eight-minute time slot took the media by
eight-minute time slot took the media by
eight-minute time slot took the media by storm
storm
storm Clinton’s pose especially in relation to
Clinton’s pose especially in relation to
Clinton’s pose especially in relation to the cameras position was immediately
the cameras position was immediately
the cameras position was immediately connected with the Monica Lewinsky
connected with the Monica Lewinsky
connected with the Monica Lewinsky scandal that had rocked Clinton’s
scandal that had rocked Clinton’s
scandal that had rocked Clinton’s presidency just two years prior indeed I
presidency just two years prior indeed I
presidency just two years prior indeed I did have a relationship with Miss
did have a relationship with Miss
did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate in
Lewinsky that was not appropriate in
Lewinsky that was not appropriate in fact it was wrong yet at the same time
fact it was wrong yet at the same time
fact it was wrong yet at the same time his smile almost denotes a semblance of
his smile almost denotes a semblance of
his smile almost denotes a semblance of relief especially after a challenging
relief especially after a challenging
relief especially after a challenging eight years as commander-in-chief it’s
eight years as commander-in-chief it’s
eight years as commander-in-chief it’s this dichotomy that makes Clinton’s
this dichotomy that makes Clinton’s
this dichotomy that makes Clinton’s Esquire cover an enduring image today
Esquire cover an enduring image today
Esquire cover an enduring image today we’ve been so blessed you know we’ve had
we’ve been so blessed you know we’ve had
we’ve been so blessed you know we’ve had a wonderful life we’ve had a chance to
a wonderful life we’ve had a chance to
a wonderful life we’ve had a chance to serve whatever she wants to do on for
serve whatever she wants to do on for
serve whatever she wants to do on for number seven nine eleven time
it’s a startling stark image capturing
it’s a startling stark image capturing the haunting events of September 11th
the haunting events of September 11th
the haunting events of September 11th 2001 the cover of Time magazine
2001 the cover of Time magazine
2001 the cover of Time magazine September 14th issue used a photograph
September 14th issue used a photograph
September 14th issue used a photograph taken by Lila wacko as the World Trade
taken by Lila wacko as the World Trade
taken by Lila wacko as the World Trade Center was under attack with smoke and
Center was under attack with smoke and
Center was under attack with smoke and flames rising into the sky the result of
flames rising into the sky the result of
flames rising into the sky the result of planes smashing into both Twin Towers
planes smashing into both Twin Towers
planes smashing into both Twin Towers the shot accompanied a Nancy Gibbs cover
the shot accompanied a Nancy Gibbs cover
the shot accompanied a Nancy Gibbs cover story entitled if you want to humble an
story entitled if you want to humble an
story entitled if you want to humble an empire which not only recounted the
empire which not only recounted the
empire which not only recounted the timeline of events on 9/11 but also
timeline of events on 9/11 but also
timeline of events on 9/11 but also praised the day’s heroism and
praised the day’s heroism and
praised the day’s heroism and triumphantly stated that America would
triumphantly stated that America would
triumphantly stated that America would rebuild three days after these attacks
rebuild three days after these attacks
rebuild three days after these attacks the United States and the world was
the United States and the world was
the United States and the world was still processing their grief somber
still processing their grief somber
still processing their grief somber images like these served as reminders
images like these served as reminders
images like these served as reminders for those left behind to continue to
for those left behind to continue to
for those left behind to continue to survive move forward and understand this
survive move forward and understand this
survive move forward and understand this is a great tribute to our courage and
is a great tribute to our courage and
is a great tribute to our courage and perseverance and and what we do is as
perseverance and and what we do is as
perseverance and and what we do is as Americans number six
Americans number six
Americans number six John and Yoko Rolling Stone
chime in
chime in this 1981 Rolling Stone cover image
this 1981 Rolling Stone cover image
this 1981 Rolling Stone cover image wasn’t the only photo of a celebrity to
wasn’t the only photo of a celebrity to
wasn’t the only photo of a celebrity to be published after their death but it’s
be published after their death but it’s
be published after their death but it’s perhaps one of the most poignant he said
perhaps one of the most poignant he said
perhaps one of the most poignant he said that Lennon was brought here this
that Lennon was brought here this
that Lennon was brought here this evening shortly before 11:00 p.m. he was
evening shortly before 11:00 p.m. he was
evening shortly before 11:00 p.m. he was dead on arrival John Lennon was
dead on arrival John Lennon was
dead on arrival John Lennon was assassinated by gunman Mark David
assassinated by gunman Mark David
assassinated by gunman Mark David Chapman on December 8 1980 a month later
Chapman on December 8 1980 a month later
Chapman on December 8 1980 a month later this shot from his session with famed
this shot from his session with famed
this shot from his session with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz hit the
photographer Annie Leibovitz hit the
photographer Annie Leibovitz hit the cover of the equally legendary music
cover of the equally legendary music
cover of the equally legendary music magazine in tribute to the fallen Beatle
magazine in tribute to the fallen Beatle
magazine in tribute to the fallen Beatle what’s even more startling is the fact
what’s even more startling is the fact
what’s even more startling is the fact that the image of John and his wife Yoko
that the image of John and his wife Yoko
that the image of John and his wife Yoko Ono was captured but a few hours prior
Ono was captured but a few hours prior
Ono was captured but a few hours prior to his encounter with Chapman it’s a
to his encounter with Chapman it’s a
to his encounter with Chapman it’s a startling yet tender picture made even
startling yet tender picture made even
startling yet tender picture made even more remarkable given the context of
more remarkable given the context of
more remarkable given the context of when it was taken
number five more Demi Moore Vanity Fair
number five more Demi Moore Vanity Fair did me more with seven months pregnant
did me more with seven months pregnant
did me more with seven months pregnant when she posed for this controversial
when she posed for this controversial
when she posed for this controversial Vanity Fair shoot with photographer
Vanity Fair shoot with photographer
Vanity Fair shoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz creating an image that
Annie Leibovitz creating an image that
Annie Leibovitz creating an image that served as one of the magazine’s most
served as one of the magazine’s most
served as one of the magazine’s most recognizable covers the actress carrying
recognizable covers the actress carrying
recognizable covers the actress carrying her daughter with Bruce Willis Scout
her daughter with Bruce Willis Scout
her daughter with Bruce Willis Scout LaRue was snapped multiple times plaid
LaRue was snapped multiple times plaid
LaRue was snapped multiple times plaid in various dresses and lingerie
in various dresses and lingerie
in various dresses and lingerie it was liebowitzes shot of more totally
it was liebowitzes shot of more totally
it was liebowitzes shot of more totally nude with her hand covering her chest
nude with her hand covering her chest
nude with her hand covering her chest that was ultimately chosen for the
that was ultimately chosen for the
that was ultimately chosen for the August cover though it was criticized by
August cover though it was criticized by
August cover though it was criticized by some as morally objectionable others
some as morally objectionable others
some as morally objectionable others felt the cover captured the ideas of
felt the cover captured the ideas of
felt the cover captured the ideas of femininity motherhood and sexuality
femininity motherhood and sexuality
femininity motherhood and sexuality while simultaneously challenging
while simultaneously challenging
while simultaneously challenging preconceived notions of how Hollywood
preconceived notions of how Hollywood
preconceived notions of how Hollywood stars could appear in the magazine
stars could appear in the magazine
stars could appear in the magazine medium spawning a trend of displaying
medium spawning a trend of displaying
medium spawning a trend of displaying pregnancy proudly in the public eye
pregnancy proudly in the public eye
pregnancy proudly in the public eye number four Marilyn Monroe Playboy
number four Marilyn Monroe Playboy
number four Marilyn Monroe Playboy throughout its long history Playboy
throughout its long history Playboy
throughout its long history Playboy magazine has had a bevy of classic
magazine has had a bevy of classic
magazine has had a bevy of classic covers featuring some of the most famous
covers featuring some of the most famous
covers featuring some of the most famous pop culture icons of the day but there
pop culture icons of the day but there
pop culture icons of the day but there are arguably few pop culture figures
are arguably few pop culture figures
are arguably few pop culture figures more iconic for their beauty than
more iconic for their beauty than
more iconic for their beauty than Marilyn Monroe that’s why it’s fitting
Marilyn Monroe that’s why it’s fitting
Marilyn Monroe that’s why it’s fitting that the blonde bombshell graced the
that the blonde bombshell graced the
that the blonde bombshell graced the inaugural issue of Playboy back in
inaugural issue of Playboy back in
inaugural issue of Playboy back in December 1953 as both its cover model
December 1953 as both its cover model
December 1953 as both its cover model and the first-ever centerfold
and the first-ever centerfold
and the first-ever centerfold fans of the pinup era snatched this
fans of the pinup era snatched this
fans of the pinup era snatched this issue up upon its original release and
issue up upon its original release and
issue up upon its original release and even today surviving copies
even today surviving copies
even today surviving copies sometimes fetch extraordinarily high
sometimes fetch extraordinarily high
sometimes fetch extraordinarily high prices even ten thousand times with the
prices even ten thousand times with the
prices even ten thousand times with the magazine originally cost and why not
magazine originally cost and why not
magazine originally cost and why not it’s an enduring cover image of an
it’s an enduring cover image of an
it’s an enduring cover image of an enduring celebrity and it launched an
enduring celebrity and it launched an
enduring celebrity and it launched an iconic brand she is without question the
iconic brand she is without question the
iconic brand she is without question the you know the the definitive sex icon of
you know the the definitive sex icon of
you know the the definitive sex icon of our time number three an American
our time number three an American
our time number three an American tragedy time this is
tragedy time this is
tragedy time this is people’s 160 for a is at the right hand
people’s 160 for a is at the right hand
people’s 160 for a is at the right hand glow the murder trial of former football
glow the murder trial of former football
glow the murder trial of former football star and actor OJ Simpson made national
star and actor OJ Simpson made national
star and actor OJ Simpson made national headlines back in 1994 but this cover
headlines back in 1994 but this cover
headlines back in 1994 but this cover image from Time magazine garnered almost
image from Time magazine garnered almost
image from Time magazine garnered almost as much controversy albeit for a very
as much controversy albeit for a very
as much controversy albeit for a very different reason the image of Simpson’s
different reason the image of Simpson’s
different reason the image of Simpson’s LAPD mugshot had been altered by
LAPD mugshot had been altered by
LAPD mugshot had been altered by illustrator Matt Mahone for color
illustrator Matt Mahone for color
illustrator Matt Mahone for color correction purposes for this move
correction purposes for this move
correction purposes for this move however the publication faced sharp
however the publication faced sharp
however the publication faced sharp criticism at the time for what some
criticism at the time for what some
criticism at the time for what some perceived as racism especially when
perceived as racism especially when
perceived as racism especially when compared with news week’s untouched use
compared with news week’s untouched use
compared with news week’s untouched use of the same shot the result time
of the same shot the result time
of the same shot the result time released a statement saying in part that
released a statement saying in part that
released a statement saying in part that the magazine did not intend for any
the magazine did not intend for any
the magazine did not intend for any racial implications to be made and that
racial implications to be made and that
racial implications to be made and that the modifications had quote lifted a
the modifications had quote lifted a
the modifications had quote lifted a common police mugshot to the level of
common police mugshot to the level of
common police mugshot to the level of art number two to the moon and back
art number two to the moon and back
art number two to the moon and back Life magazine it may be difficult to
Life magazine it may be difficult to
Life magazine it may be difficult to imagine the level of excitement back in
imagine the level of excitement back in
imagine the level of excitement back in 1969 after the Apollo 11 managed its
1969 after the Apollo 11 managed its
1969 after the Apollo 11 managed its successful manned mission to the moon
successful manned mission to the moon
successful manned mission to the moon the event was televised for the world to
the event was televised for the world to
the event was televised for the world to see occupying the airwaves and then the
see occupying the airwaves and then the
see occupying the airwaves and then the August 1969 special edition issue of
August 1969 special edition issue of
August 1969 special edition issue of Life magazine was released with an
Life magazine was released with an
Life magazine was released with an instantly classic image on its cover
instantly classic image on its cover
instantly classic image on its cover titled to the moon and back showing a
titled to the moon and back showing a
titled to the moon and back showing a photograph of astronaut Buzz Aldrin
photograph of astronaut Buzz Aldrin
photograph of astronaut Buzz Aldrin taken by his fellow crew mate Neil
taken by his fellow crew mate Neil
taken by his fellow crew mate Neil Armstrong this cover encapsulate the
Armstrong this cover encapsulate the
Armstrong this cover encapsulate the mission that effectively ended the space
mission that effectively ended the space
mission that effectively ended the space race between the United States and the
race between the United States and the
race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1960s today it
Soviet Union during the 1960s today it
Soviet Union during the 1960s today it endures as an image of scientific
endures as an image of scientific
endures as an image of scientific success stretching into the vast reaches
success stretching into the vast reaches
success stretching into the vast reaches of the unknown we choose to go to the
of the unknown we choose to go to the
of the unknown we choose to go to the moon we choose to go to the moon in this
moon we choose to go to the moon in this
moon we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not
decade and do the other things not
decade and do the other things not because they are easy but because they
because they are easy but because they
because they are easy but because they are hard before we reveal our most
are hard before we reveal our most
are hard before we reveal our most iconic magazine cover here are some
iconic magazine cover here are some
iconic magazine cover here are some honorable mentions
number one Afghan girl National
number one Afghan girl National Geographic it’s at once striking
Geographic it’s at once striking
Geographic it’s at once striking beautiful and haunting without knowing
beautiful and haunting without knowing
beautiful and haunting without knowing his subjects identity in 1984 journalist
his subjects identity in 1984 journalist
his subjects identity in 1984 journalist Steve McCurry shot a photograph of a
Steve McCurry shot a photograph of a
Steve McCurry shot a photograph of a green eyed Afghan girl staring deeply
green eyed Afghan girl staring deeply
green eyed Afghan girl staring deeply into the camera lens to go along with a
into the camera lens to go along with a
into the camera lens to go along with a story entitled along Afghanistan’s
story entitled along Afghanistan’s
story entitled along Afghanistan’s war-torn frontier compared to Da Vinci’s
war-torn frontier compared to Da Vinci’s
war-torn frontier compared to Da Vinci’s mysterious Mona Lisa the young refugee
mysterious Mona Lisa the young refugee
mysterious Mona Lisa the young refugee became the literal poster child for this
became the literal poster child for this
became the literal poster child for this battle-scarred region in 2002 National
battle-scarred region in 2002 National
battle-scarred region in 2002 National Geographic filmed a documentary as they
Geographic filmed a documentary as they
Geographic filmed a documentary as they searched for the girl I was looking at
searched for the girl I was looking at
searched for the girl I was looking at it and looking at her face looking at
it and looking at her face looking at
it and looking at her face looking at the moles and I looked at the flecks in
the moles and I looked at the flecks in
the moles and I looked at the flecks in her eyes and they all lined up and
her eyes and they all lined up and
her eyes and they all lined up and eventually they found her sharbat gula
eventually they found her sharbat gula
eventually they found her sharbat gula was an Afghan refugee who at the time of
was an Afghan refugee who at the time of
was an Afghan refugee who at the time of the photo had been living in Pakistan
the photo had been living in Pakistan
the photo had been living in Pakistan during her country’s occupation by the
during her country’s occupation by the
during her country’s occupation by the Soviet Union with that McCurry finally
Soviet Union with that McCurry finally
Soviet Union with that McCurry finally had a chance not only to learn about the
had a chance not only to learn about the
had a chance not only to learn about the girl’s history but also to reunite with
girl’s history but also to reunite with
girl’s history but also to reunite with the face seen by so many around the
the face seen by so many around the
the face seen by so many around the world and I think that it’s better to be
world and I think that it’s better to be
world and I think that it’s better to be known for one great picture than not to
known for one great picture than not to
known for one great picture than not to be known at all possibly do you agree
be known at all possibly do you agree
be known at all possibly do you agree with our list which iconic magazine
with our list which iconic magazine
with our list which iconic magazine moment do you think deserves to be
moment do you think deserves to be
moment do you think deserves to be remembered for more poignant top 10s
remembered for more poignant top 10s
remembered for more poignant top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com and that was a great
to watchmojo.com and that was a great
to watchmojo.com and that was a great challenge because we did have to figure
challenge because we did have to figure
challenge because we did have to figure out how to make her personal wardrobe
out how to make her personal wardrobe
out how to make her personal wardrobe not the wardrobe we shot something that
not the wardrobe we shot something that
not the wardrobe we shot something that speaks to her style perhaps not her
speaks to her style perhaps not her
speaks to her style perhaps not her family style
”
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