The August issue of Rolling Stone hasn't even hit newstands yet, but its cover is already stirring up controversy on social media.
On the front of the magazine is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving member of the duo of brothers alleged to have carried out the attacks on the Boston Marathon.
Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured in the blasts.
The cover story is titled "Jahar's World" and is described as "a riveting and heartbreaking account of how a charming kid with a bright future became a monster."
Not surprising is the swift — and mostly negative — reaction to the cover's depiction of Tsarnaev, and Rolling Stone is already taking plenty of heat on its Facebook page.
Here's some of the reaction so far:
"Why give the guy the cover of Rolling Stone? TIME gave Charles Manson the cover and all the magazines carried pictures of the Columbine shooters on the covers, too. Don't make martyrs out of these people."
...
"Very un-American. F--k you Rolling Stone. I thought it was supposed to be an honor to be on your cover?"
...
"I shared this on my news feed, but not in support of your magazine, I shared it to show people how low you have gone by putting this terrorist on your cover. Rolling Stone, go and read all the shares of your picture, there are a lot of angry people that you would make such a disgusting choice."
It should be noted that this isn't the first time the Tsarnaev "selfie" has made its way onto a front page. The New York Times ran it on May 5:
That Dzhokhar selfie on the Rolling Stone cover was everywhere at the time. It was on the front page of the Times! pic.twitter.com/ix0KreMst7
— Stefan Becket (@stefanjbecket) July 17, 2013
On the other hand, this is Rolling Stone. The implied comparison of a suspected terrorist to rock stars, pop culture icons, and celebrities is striking – and distressing– to many.
New Rolling Stone cover turns the Boston bomber into Jim Morrison. A comparison: pic.twitter.com/UJKhAMJSGO
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) July 16, 2013
…blast from the past from @RollingStonepic.twitter.com/t4korxnYCb
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) July 17, 2013