This is a great inside view from the fab designers of New York Times Magazine about their last weeks iconic cover:

Design director Arem Duplessis:
"First option was an approach by designer Abbott Miller to do a type painting based on his acclaimed wallpaper paintings.

Here the complete story by Arem Duplessis on their 6th Floor blog "
Here the final cover, artwork by Sara Cwynar

Coverjunkie: "boy do i love this cover! def my favorite from all the options, love the headline "The Kill Team"

Editor: Hugo Lindgren
Design director: Arem Duplessis
Art director: Gail Bichler