King Kong controversy over Vogue cover

American Vogue's first cover in 116 years to feature a black man has stirred up controversy after some commentators pointed out that the image of basketball player LeBron James and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen perpetuates racial stereotypes. Photographer Annie Leibovitz's portrait shows the 6ft 9in star, known to his fans as King James, with one hand around the tiny waist of Bundchen, who looks like she is trying to escape.

What with the hunched pose, and the NBA player baring his teeth, critics say the image bears an uncanny resemblance to King Kong clambering up the Empire State Building clutching a tiny Fay Wray in his left paw in the legendary movie still.

It "screams King Kong," said the magazine analyst Samir Husni, arguing that the photo was deliberately provocative. "LeBron is straight up perpetuating a stereotype that helped enslave, lynch and murder hundreds of thousands of our black men for centuries," wrote one blogger on an African-American entertainment website.

Vogue spokesman Patrick O'Connell said the magazine "sought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their game" for the magazine's annual issue devoted to size and shape. "We think LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together," he said.

Vogue has featured men on its cover only twice before: Richard Gere appeared with supermodel Cindy Crawford in 1992 and George Clooney starred in 2000, also with Bundchen. In both cases the man looked groomed and stylish, and the supermodel partner looked at ease. Or, as one blogger at Guanabee.com puts it: "The last time Gisele was on the cover she got to hug the [white guy] back."