Just social comment that reflects John Lennon's political bias? Not until you realize that Lennon was shot on the very day of the photo shoot for this cover

Commentary through visual imagery. These photographs reflect the conditions of modern day concerns: the social science and political impact of magazine covers. Photos that at once comment on current events and corporate responsibility that is presented as "news of the day". However, "the most Famous" not only reflect social events while others illustrated conflicts around the world

Life, magazine was started in 1936. From the beginning, Life featured a single, huge, bold, powerful black and white picture, framed by Life's stock logo and publication data. On the rare occasions cover lines appeared however minuscule. Like the caption on this 1939 cover featuring the conductor Arturo Toscanini. By 1965 Life added captions to the image on the front cover and made bold political and social visual commentary by commissioning astute photojournalists

In the 1960's, however, cover typography on major magazines began to break out of the quiet, restrained captions and speak in many varied and bolder voices. As shown by Esquire and Newsweek 1968, 1973 cover lines regularly appeared in large type, in color, in striking fonts, and images were tweaked for added impact