This cover featured an elaborate illustration of Hitler playing “his hymn of hate in a desecrated cathedral while victims dangle on a St. Time Magazine, January 2, 1939: Hitler as Man of the Year Feel free to suggest other covers that you think should be part of this collection. Here are some of the most controversial magazine covers of all time. While some controversial covers have worked and sold more magazines, or won awards for the editors who made the decision to go to press with them, others were embarrassments that the publication had to either apologize for, or fire an editor over. These covers can serve as object lessons for what to do and what not to do both with design and editorial. We’ve put together a collection of magazine covers that have stirred up controversy through the years.