Blown Covers: New Yorker Covers You Were Never Meant to See

by Françoise Mouly

Françoise Mouly takes us behind the scenes at the New Yorker and reveals how the magazine creates its signature covers commenting on the most urgent political and cultural events of the day. She shows the shocking and hilarious sketches that didn’t make the cut and explains how these are essential stages in the evolution of a cover that stands the test of time but retains its edge. Her book captures contemporary history—from the farce of Monica Lewinsky to the adventures of Michelle and Barack to nuclear meltdown in Japan—in images that are as acute as they are outrageous. More than that, it shows how the magazine that exemplifies journalistic excellence in America also dares to cultivate a sense of humor when grappling with complex moral and political issues.

Praise for Blown Covers :

“Interesting failures are the driving force behind BLOWN New Yorker Covers You Were Never Meant to See (Abrams, $24.95) , by Françoise Mouly. Mouly is the art editor of The New Yorker , and paging through this book is like standing in the corner of her office as she pins up rejected covers on the wall. Mouly has dozens of tales about images that failed for one reason or another. Now, presumably with the approval of her bosses at Condé Nast, she has created a tell-all (or tell-most) that even non–illustrators and designers will find enlightening.” — New York Times Book Review

“Yes, Blown Covers sometimes offends—and that’s the audacious joy of it.” —NPR.org

“[ New Yorker ] art editor Mouly offers some true delights.” — Sacramento Bee

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Humor, Design, Adult, Graphic Novels, New York

128 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2012

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's sub-title misleads on two counts. Firstly there's no indication that the focus is narrowly on covers of the last decade and a half (the period of time that the author, Françoise Mouly, has been art editor of The New Yorker). Secondly, and more importantly, it feels like roughly half the covers reproduced here are actually the ones we did see, that in fact appeared on the newsstands, and in some cases caused great controversy. And there's a certain self-congratulatory tone about having provoked controversy that I didn't warm to. This book made me realize that I really don't care for the present-day style of New Yorker covers: edgy, ironic jokey images relating to current events. I find myself more in tune with the sentiments of William Shawn, a New Yorker editor of the past, quoted here by Mouly:

"We have fewer covers today that have humor than we did years ago. They tend to be more aesthetic....Sometimes it's just a still-life of flowers or a plant. It's not supposed to be spectacular. When it appears on a newstand, it's not supposed to stand out. It's a restful change from all the other covers, I'd say."

That being said, I do think Mouly and her team got the post 9/11 cover (also reproduced here) exactly right. I remember being very moved by it.

[Ray Knickmeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other reviewers are right that this feels a little misnamed. Most of the featured covers are ones that did make it all the way to the published edition. Still, I really liked getting to see some of the rough sketches for those, as well as the ones that didn't make it in. It's neat to get a little peak into the decisions that go on behind the scenes. Wish there'd been more could've-beens though, and also wish there'd been a little more detail around some of the ones that got passed over. Often there was just a sentence explanation for why something was passed on.

[Pat Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great recap of the last 30 years or so. I always love the New Yorker covers!

[Mahima · Rating 4 out of 5]

coming across this book as a part of work, and then reading it in 2 sittings is proof of how thoroughly engaging the world of magazine editors is!

[Rita_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the decisions to be made each week by the art editor, the cartoon editor, and the editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, (my favorite magazine). My only quibble with it is that it was too short! I would have liked twice as many examples of controversial and scandalous cover art ideas and suggestions. I would have also liked a more comprehensive look at the history of the cover art--this book really focused just on the magazine's very recent history. Having said that, I recommend this book to anyone who's always wondered, how do they decide what to put on the cover?

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's much more to this book than I expected. Lots of interesting background on the ins and outs of what goes into choosing the weekly covers, and also a glimpse of a few covers that didn't make the final cut, and the reasons why. I've been paying more attention to the New Yorker covers since reading this book, as sometimes I just wasn't paying attention to their possible relevance to current events.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun! Some of the covers that were never used are laugh out loud funny. Some are no more than sketches. Others are fully painted and rendered. There are also plenty of covers that WERE used, and Mouly does an excellent job of briefly recapping the events surrounding each so that readers can better understand why a particular cover was used or not. The New Yorker has an impressive array of talent at its disposal, and it's nice to get this glimpse of the creative process at work.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually a lot of the book talks about covers that we did see/were published. Then, the ones that weren't published aren't even that excellent/shocking.

I do think Francoise Mouly is generally awesome though, love Raw/Toon/Little Lit, etc. This book was just kind of underwhelming.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhhh yeah. I guess it made me reflect on politics and how futile and repetitive they are? And how I wish I was reading the New Yorker, like, always. But yeah, it was kind of confusingly laid out and just ok. I'd rather just read that big compendium of New Yorker cartoons my grandpa has.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is all probably more interesting to artists and graphic designers, and to New Yorker diehards, than it is to the rest of us. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to see the cover ideas and the rough sketches.

The one rejected cover that I liked the most was the Mentos Coke cartoon by Barry Blitt.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the tragic assignations in Paris last week this was a timely read. These are the covers which were judged to be too over the top to be on the cover of the New Yorker. I'm grateful that at least one publication still uses cartoons to convey ideas.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rejected covers in this book are sometimes fascinating and sometimes baffling, but the stories behind them are what is most fascinating about this book. It's also amazing how differently people view the same piece of art.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of unused covers with explanations and commentary. Would be a great book for artists in magazine trade. Enjoyed seeing how some ideas are turned into covers.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of Barry Blitt (not that there's anything wrong with that)!

[Terrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomely wicked and funny. A lot of work goes into each cover and this book shows that.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for any New Yorker fan. Makes one think how hard it must be for the editors to choose just one cover to run every week...

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Being a left coaster (happily! morphed from midwesterner)I suspect the book is more intriguing for east coast folks.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories behind New Yorker covers that did or didn't make the final cut, for various reasons. Enjoyable but not terrific. I probably shouldn’t have bought this and am not sure if I’ll keep it.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to see these covers especially when you consider the decisions behind their abandonment. Definitely worth a read for those who enjoy the New Yorker.

[McNevin Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful & inspiring

If only there were more. Brilliant. Why do I have to add 14 more words? That is truly absurd. Jeezus.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slim and self-aggrandizing.

[Another · Rating 2 out of 5]

a bit disappointing - too much writing, not enough covers.