Pictures - See 20 controversial covers of magazines

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The newly-released August Rolling Stone cover, featuring accused Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, has been met with waves of controversy, causing several stores not to carry the issue and outrage from public officials. While the cover has caused an uproar among those who think it gives Tsarnaev “rock star treatment,” the magazine is the latest to stir up strong opinions with its cover choice. See other examples through the years.



Accused Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is seen on the cover of the August 1 issue of "Rolling Stone" magazine in this handout image


The newly-released August Rolling Stone cover, featuring accused Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, has been met with waves of controversy, causing several stores not to carry the issue and outrage from public officials. While the cover has caused an uproar among those who think it gives Tsarnaev “rock star treatment,” the magazine is the latest to stir up strong opinions with its cover choice. See other examples through the years.


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Time magazine named Adolf Hitler the “person of the year” for 1938.


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A Nov.ember 1965 cover of Life magazine depicted a Vietnam War prisoner with his eyes and mouth taped.

A Nov.ember 1965 cover of Life magazine depicted a Vietnam War prisoner with his eyes and mouth taped.


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A Life magazine cover in 1965 featured a photo of Vietnam helicopter crew chief James C. Farley with his hand on a jammed machine gun while wounded pilot Lt. James E. Magel was dying beside him.

Another Life magazine cover earlier in 1965 featured a photo of Vietnam helicopter crew chief James C. Farley with his hand on a jammed machine gun while wounded pilot Lt. James E. Magel was dying beside him.


Larry Burrows


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The April 8, 1966, issue of Time magazine asked "Is God Dead?" in reference to a society moving toward secularism.

The April 8, 1966, issue of Time magazine asked "Is God Dead?" in reference to a society moving toward secularism.


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Muhammad Ali was depicted as St. Sebastian on the cover of the April 1968 issue of Esquire magazine.

Muhammad Ali was depicted as St. Sebastian on the cover of the April 1968 issue of Esquire magazine.


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Rolling Stone has faced controversy for its cover choices before, prominently promoting an award-winning interview with Charles Manson in June 1970.

Rolling Stone has faced controversy for its cover choices before, prominently promoting an award-winning interview with Charles Manson in June 1970.


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Annie Leibovitz photographed this cover image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono hours before Lennon was shot and killed on Dec. 8, 1980. Rolling Stone made it the cover of the Jan. 22, 1981, issue.

Annie Leibovitz photographed this cover image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono hours before Lennon was shot and killed on Dec. 8, 1980. Rolling Stone made it the cover of the Jan. 22, 1981, issue.


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Leibovitz was again the photographer behind a magazine cover that caused a stir after shooting Demi Moore naked and seven months pregnant for Vanity Fair’s Aug. 1991 edition.

Leibovitz was again the photographer behind a magazine cover that caused a stir after shooting Demi Moore naked and seven months pregnant for Vanity Fair’s Aug. 1991 edition.


Annie Leibovitz


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Speaking of baring it all, Janet Jackson posed for the Sept. 1993 issue of Rolling Stone with a man’s hands covering her breasts.

Speaking of baring it all, Janet Jackson posed for the Sept. 1993 issue of Rolling Stone with a man’s hands covering her breasts.


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Time magazine apologized after darkening a photo of O.J. Simpson for its June 27, 1994 cover.

Time magazine apologized after darkening a photo of O.J. Simpson for its June 27, 1994 cover.


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Ellen DeGeneres confirmed rumors by coming out as gay on the cover of Time magazine on April 14, 1997.

Ellen DeGeneres confirmed rumors by coming out as gay on the cover of Time magazine on April 14, 1997.


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Even Wired published a questionable cover, announcing the return of Steve Jobs to Apple in 1997 by running the company’s logo with a crown of thorns.

Even Wired published a questionable cover, announcing the return of Steve Jobs to Apple in 1997 by running the company’s logo with a crown of thorns.


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In April 1999, a 17-year-old Britney Spears appeared on Rolling Stone’s cover in a rather seductive pose.

In April 1999, a 17-year-old Britney Spears appeared on Rolling Stone’s cover in a rather seductive pose.


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Annie Leibovitz‘s photograph of Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen for Vogue's April 2008 “shape issue“ caused concerns over the image conjuring up racially-insensitive “King Kong” comparisons.

Annie Leibovitz‘s photograph of Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen for Vogue's April 2008 “shape issue“ caused concerns over the image conjuring up racially-insensitive “King Kong” comparisons.


(AP Photo/Annie Leibovitz/Vogue


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The New Yorker got in hot water for its tongue-in-cheek July 21, 2008, cover art by artist Barry Blitt, which shows then-presidential candidate Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim and his wife Michelle as a terrorist.

The New Yorker got in hot water for its tongue-in-cheek July 21, 2008, cover art by artist Barry Blitt, which shows then-presidential candidate Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim and his wife Michelle as a terrorist.


AP Photo/New Yorker, File


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President Barack Obama was the subject of another controversial cover on the May 21, 2012 issue of Newsweek magazine, declaring him “The First Gay President” after he supported gay marriage.

President Barack Obama was the subject of another controversial cover on the May 21, 2012 issue of Newsweek magazine, declaring him “The First Gay President” after he supported gay marriage.


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Time magazine‘s May 21, 2012 issue led with a photograph of Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, breastfeeding her 3-year-old son for a story on "attachment parenting."

Time magazine‘s May 21, 2012 issue led with a photograph of Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, breastfeeding her 3-year-old son for a story on "attachment parenting."


AP Photo/Time


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Former Celtics center Jason Collins came out as the first gay athlete in any of the four major sports on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s May 6, 2013, cover.

Former Celtics center Jason Collins came out as the first gay athlete in any of the four major sports on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s May 6, 2013, cover.


Kwaku Alston / For Sports Illustrated


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The New Yorker pictured “Sesame Street” pals Bert and Ernie on its July 2013 cover, prompting discussion about the muppet friends being gay.

The New Yorker pictured “Sesame Street” pals Bert and Ernie on its July 2013 cover, prompting discussion about the muppet friends being gay.


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