Despite a sheep-like boycott supermarket and drugstore chains, Rolling Stone magazine’s July cover issue was highly financially successful. The Dzhokar Tsarnaev provocative cover entitled: “The Bomber: How a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into racial Islam and became a monster,” has sold more than double the magazine’s average sales in 2012.

Some consider the cover to be both callous and disrespectful. The April 15, Boston Marathon Bombings killed three people and wounded more than 200 others. An incredulous grin lurks below the surface of Tsarnaev’s face, flippant curls reinforce his unruly thoughts.

Defending its bold decision Rolling Stone asserts the cover story, “falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day.”

Niki Gatewood (@THE_NikiG)