The American Society of Magazine Editors' "Magazine Cover of the Year" award this year has gone to the December 2009 issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine featuring lead actors from the film Twilight.

The winner was chosen by Amazon.com customers, who last year voted as cover of the year the July 10-24, 2008 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, featuring US President Barack Obama, reports industry news source Folio.

The Twilight cover featuring actors Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson - which also won the "Best Vampire" award - beat winners in 11 other categories for the top prize.

"While the epic image played on the idea of courtship, it was given extra heat due to their real-life romance," writes the ASME, commenting on the decision.

Winners in other categories include Playboy's November 2009 nude Marge Simpson cover for the funniest, and New York magazine's September 2009 cover, featuring hateful words scrawled across the face of President Obama, for most controversial.