Representation

• Using a hugely successful black cover star as its dominant image, GQ is presenting a role model for its readers, someone to aspire to be like with his work ethic, principles, and desire to want to better themselves
• The choice to show Sterling topless with his tattoos on show reinforces the stereotype of men having to be hypermasculine, strong, and muscular
• Sterling's tattoos represent a different area of his identity- the cross on his chest represents his Christian faith, white the baby on his arm shows him as a father
• Sterling having black wings represent him as supernatural, suggesting his extraordinary skills on the pitch. The wings, combined with the main cover line "Guardian Angel" and the low-angle shot construct him as a protective figure, fighting for justice
• Sterling's wide stance and choice of costume construct him as a dominant and confident figure. Meanwhile the thick silver jewellery and watch represent his wealth and modern masculinity
• The main cover line reads "How Raheem saved football from itself". The reader understands this to mean he is a success on a much grander scale than just the pitch; he holds influence.
• Sterling's thick silver jewellery reinforces the capitalist ideology that for a man to be thought as successful you must be wealthy and make a lot of money
• All the men named on the cover are represented as successful in their field, which conforms to the genre conventions of glossy magazines.
• Andy Burnham is framed as having a "masterplan" for Manchester representing men as clever, powerful, and forward-thinking. This is juxtaposed with the representation of MGK whose life is shown as "insane, wild and totally nuts", however, this extreme lifestyle is more what the reader would expect from a rapper than a politician, so the cover lines serve to reinforce our preconceived ideas of these roles. The MGK coverline is not judgemental but more celebratory, inviting readers to see what his crazy life is like
• For modern men there is societal expectation that they must "have it all" - health, wealth and strength and the image of Sterling supports this as he epitomizes all three
• Just like their female counterparts, the essence of men's lifestyle magazines is consumerism and so the image and cover lines will always seek ti support this, informing men of what they supposedly need. This is similar to female lifestyle magazines showing the importance of body image and consumerism doesn't change because of gender