Flipfactor. Apocalypse.

I picked up the Apocalypse back issue of Colors in Amsterdam last week, and again I was rapt as I read each story. Aside from looking fantastic with intriguing editorial content, Colors is one of the few magazines that truly covers the globe. The standout tale from this issue was one about a man called Bruce Beach. He has buried 42 old school buses in a small town, covered them with concrete and called the creation Ark Two Shelter. He'll take one thousand of the fittest people underground with him when disaster strikes to keep the human race going. Just one of many astounding stories inside.

Glossy. Epicurean 36.

Epicurean was a bold editorial adventure published in the mid 1960s through to the late 1970s. With a changing masthead, sometimes surreal covers and a bold use of typography and colour, Epicurean was one of Australia's first magazines devoted to food and wine. In 2010 Dominic Hofstede curated an exhibition of all 77 covers designed by American graphic artist Les Mason at Melbourne's The Narrows. I wish I'd been able to go, but for now I'm happy looking at this amusing cover putting rubber gloves to inventive use.

Glossy. Cool Cats.

Family Circle once gave good face with this example coming from 1978. You'd be hard pressed to find a masthead so low on a cover today, but here it works. With Christmas almost over, the 'hundreds of exciting Christmas ideas' will have to wait until next year. Nice to see adorable kittens in place of dull people.

Glossy. Nelson Mandela.

Magazines across the globe sent to print their covers featuring Nelson Mandela last week. With so many to choose from it was difficult to select just one for here, but something about Vrij Nederland's captured, at least for me, the spirit of the man.

Glossy. Epicurean 44.

Another intriguing cover from Epicurean. It really was adventurous, and just a little kooky. Now there's a combination that can never go wrong.

Flipfactor. Colors Looks At Art.

The summer issue of Colors is all about Looking At Art. Coming with a set of stickers so that you can make your own cover, this is one fun issue. Inside you'll find a brief history of the Mona Lisa, learn what work of art has been stolen most often, which artists use shit and who pays for their art to be made. Guardians, Andy Freeburg's photographs of sitting gallery assistants in front of prominent works of art, is compelling; I love it. It's another inspiring issue from Colors.

Glossy. Boy George Blitz.

Along with counterparts i-D and The Face, London's Blitz magazine's heyday was in the early 1980s. Of the three i-D is the only to have lasted the distance with Blitz having the shortest lifespan. Regardless, Blitz has left behind an engaging time capsule charting 1980s cool.

Glossy. Special Request.

Special Request is a new magazine out of London. Their first issue focuses on food and features pretty in pink Miss Piggy on the cover. I'm intrigued and almost willing to part with $30 to see it.

Glossy. In Profile.

Another inventive cover from Volkskrant magazine. This one's a joint effort by photographer Luka Gobel with post production by Jan Hibma. Brilliant, if slightly disturbing.

Glossy. Look.

I love this cover, the second Look from New York Magazine. Red eyes never looked so good.

Popcorn. Paper Giants.

Well done ABC on the riveting Magazine Wars, a rip-roaring tale about mass-market magazines New Idea and Woman's Day, and their respective editors Dulcie Boling and the larger than life Nene King. The first episode in a two part series takes us back to the late 1980s when New Idea reigned supreme, gradually moving into the early 1990s and up to the historic moment when Woman's Day took the crown with the help of one royal toe-sucking escapade. Capturing the heart and soul of magazine publishing, this series bursts with fun and drama, tears and laughter. The always excellent Rachel Griffiths does Dulcie well, but I'm not sure about the portrayal of Richard Walsh — Alana House says he's too smirky, and I agree. I can't wait for Sunday to roll around for the finale.

Glossy. Agnetha.

Eurovision is only days away, so no wonder Abba fever is hotting up again. Not only has a state-of-the-art Abba museum opened in Stockholm, but Agnetha has released her new album, A. Unlike her last album My Colouring Book (highly recommended), A features new songs. The Big Issue's interview with Agnetha in this week's London issue is bound to be intriguing. Smashing cover.

Glossy. Volkskrant Hits Target.

Now that I'm back in Australia, I find myself missing de Volkskrant. It's an excellent newspaper and their magazine is one of the best newspaper supplements around.

Glossy. The Motorist.

Effortless elegance. Design at its most graphic.

Glossy. Colors Goes To Market.

The latest issue of Colors is all about markets. It's a return to form for this insightful and informative magazine that takes a global view of issues surrounding markets. Eye opening and fun.

Glossy. Stuffed.

I can't get enough of Toiletpaper magazine. You never know what you'll be presented with as you flip from page to page.

Glossy. Mondrian.

1965 Paris Vogue's sharp Mondrian cover depicts effortless style.

Glossy. Tare Lugnt.

Here's a magazine cover with a difference. It's single issue Tare Lugnt as a tattoo. Now that's original, and as someone without tattoos, sexy to boot.

Glossy. Happy Birthday Harper's.

It's fifteen years ago since Harper's Bazaar relaunched in Australia, and to mark the occasion they've created fifteen covers each designed by a special guest. I've only seen this one, and was surprised to learn it's by Victoria Beckham — I'm no fan — but I love this cover. Happy birthday.

Glossy. Snoop.

A terrific cover from Life. Prescient then, topical now.