The best magazine covers of all time: Our experts decide

Composite of greatest ever magazine covers, featuring National Geographic, Vogue, TIME, The New Yorker and Esquire
(Image credit: TIME / National Geographic / Vogue / Esquire / The New Yorker)

Some of the best magazine covers have gone on to become defining images of the 20th and 21st centuries. Whether they’re depicting the aftermath of war, the transfer of political power or just a famous face in a new context, great magazine covers need to catch the eye, while also communicating the tone and content of the publication within.

It’s a tricky line to walk — and a lot of ink has been spilled regarding how to get it right. Magazine covers will often need to tackle heavier or more complex subjects than the best print ads or billboard ads, and generally have a rather more nuanced concept to communicate.

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Jon Stapley

Jon is a freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art, technology, and the intersection of all three. When he's not scouting out news on the latest gadgets, he likes to play around with film cameras that were manufactured before he was born. To that end, he never goes anywhere without his Olympus XA2, loaded with a fresh roll of Kodak (Gold 200 is the best, since you asked). Jon is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq, and has also written for in Digital Camera World, Black + White Photography Magazine, Photomonitor, Outdoor Photography, Shortlist and probably a few others he's forgetting. 

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