Cocaine Capital: A Bold Statement
The Evening Standard’s front cover on August 3rd made waves with its eye-catching design. In the midst of London’s cocaine seizure crisis, the team cleverly crafted a line in the shape of the River Thames using icing sugar. This cover, assembled on photographer Matt Writtle’s kitchen table, captured the city’s attention.
The Premier League Returns
On August 11th, the excitement of the football season’s return was celebrated with seven split-run covers, each representing a London Premier League team. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka stole the show, creating a frenzy among fans. The ES team felt like schoolkids as they debated who had the best player in their team.
Unity and Spirit: Bring It Home
The cover on August 18th reflected the hopes of a nation as the Lionesses powered through the World Cup. With one image that perfectly captured the team’s unity, the cover spoke volumes about their journey.
Inmate Number P01135809: A Captivating Mugshot
Donald Trump’s police booking photograph took center stage on August 25th, accompanied by a controversial coverline. Whether a sign of a former president’s demise or a bold PR move, this cover sparked intrigue.
Plane Madness: A Nod to Chaos
The chaos of summer airports was hilariously summed up on August 30th with a clever reference to Leslie Nielsen’s Airplane! movie poster. Political cartoonist Christian Adam’s drawing of a tied-up airplane perfectly captured the mayhem.
Welcome to 20mph London: On-the-Spot Creativity
When faced with the question of how to convey the news of London’s new 20mph speed limits on September 14th, the team took a spontaneous approach. With a quick screenshot from the Waze app, the cover showcased the best live photo of the day.
Bring It On: The Election Race Begins
A revealing IPSOS poll on September 19th showed PM Rishi Sunak falling behind Labour leader Keir Starmer in the General Election debate. The cover graphically pitted the two leaders against each other, igniting the race to the finish line.
Murdoch Outfoxed: A Satirical Masterpiece
On September 20th, the decline of Rupert Murdoch’s empire was chronicled by columnist Michael Wolff. To mark this occasion, an iconic satirical cartoon cover by Ben Jennings brought the story to life. The following day, Murdoch stepped down as head of Fox News.
Art for All: Celebrating London Creates
London Frieze kicked off on October 11th, and renowned artists Gilbert & George were enlisted to create two front covers. Their split cover concept with the words “Art For All” and “All For Art” became highly sought after, with signed copies causing a frenzy among readers.
Just Stop Oil: A Powerful Return
On November 1st, Just Stop Oil made a comeback, highlighting the climate crisis with orange splats. The simplicity of the cover made it arresting and engaging, perfectly capturing the essence of the movement’s return.
Salute to a King at 75: A Royal Tribute
As Prince Charles turned 75 on November 14th, the Evening Standard paid tribute with a special version of Peter Blake’s Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. The illustration, expertly created by Peter Quinnell, featured 75 people or objects, including Charles’ late father and favorite comedian.
Rishi Feels the Heat: A Toasty Cover
The year ended on a strong note with a political cartoon cover on December 12th. Christian Adams depicted Rishi Sunak as a piece of toast popping out of a toaster, reflecting both the public’s dissatisfaction and rebel Tory MPs’ breakfast meeting. The team cleverly avoided the obvious pun headline, leaving readers amused.
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