Vanity Fair Issues

April’s black-and-white Meryl Streep cover reinforced the Hollywood-noir stories, hinting at the archival riches inside (from the Rolling Stones’ tour to the life of a cartoonist). October’s designer treasure trove included Edward Sorel’s rendering of Mary Astor’s Trial; Matthieu Bourel’s photo illustration of a Web hacker; masterworks at the Foundation Louis Vuitton; and 18 stylish pages. November’s visual variety played to the magazine’s strengths: transfixing portraiture; breakthrough business coverage; exquisite period pieces.