Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction - Adult Book, Part One: The Works of Marcus Miller

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction

Adult Book, Part One

The Works of Marcus Miller

If you ever visited an adult book store in the 60's, 70's or 80's, you're familiar with this type of paperback, frequently cradled in those flimsy, rotating black wire racks. Occasionally, they could also be found at your more 'progressive' truck stops emblazened with titles that simply screamed for your attention.  

Their cover art remains iconic, their contents a part of the sexual revolution - or, revelation, some might say. 

For the next few weeks, we'll be examining various imprints and having a bit of fun at their expense. 

Today's lot was published under the Adult Book imprint. Part of the Greenleaf Classics library, this imprint featured 280 titles published from 1967 to 1973. Most of the titles were straight-oriented, with a particular obsession with 'swapping' (swinging). Near the end of the imprint's life the subject material became a bit more cringe-worthy, with not-so-laughable titles like The Dog Baller, I'm Hot for Daddy, Meg's Favorite Breed, and (my favorite) Church Camp Predator. This change in tone reflects the harsher nature pornography generally took as the industry became more mainstream and profitable. Gone was the silliness, breeziness of earlier offerings, along with the who-are-they-kidding psuedo-psychological textbooks, replaced by something far kinkier, more targeted and, frequently, more violent. 

It should be noted that Adult Book's initial releases (October, 1967) were of the psuedo-psychological approach popularized during the late 1950's/early 1960's - a sort of porn under the cover of acedemic research, if you will. Written by Prof. Eric Karlson, Ph.D., these two titles explored homosexuality. One can only imagine the eye-rolling conclusions contained within their pages. 

Author: Prof. Eric Karlson, Ph.D.
Cover Art: Uknown

These were followed up by Don Holliday's (Victor J. Banis) fun-filled gay romp, Three On A Broom Stick and Chris Davidson's (Christian Davies) more serious and manly, Cave of Iron, that same month. Both were gay titles and featured the classic cover art of Robert Bonfils. It should be noted that Don Holliday would go on to write the popular C.A.M.P. series; a sort of goofy, gay take on James Bond, for a different publisher. We'll be examining all these books in a later post.

May through November of 1968 found Adult Book concentrating on the publication of gay-oriented titles. We'll be looking at a portion of those today, in particular, the titles written by Marcus Miller.  

Starting in 1969, the publisher's focus would shift to the aforementioned hetero-oriented  'swap' books (somewhat light-hearted, titllating surburban fare) before subccumbing to the industry's more base tastes. 

To launch this series, I decided to focus on the works of Marcus Miller. It should be noted that these are not presented in order of publication, nor is this a complete list of all his books. Many of these writers would write, not only under an assumed name, but also at a variety of publishing houses.

Gay Safari

Cover Art: Darrel Millsap

"He found his lost love in a jungle of lust!"

And, apparently, he found a bedazzler, too. Take a look at that jewel encrusted speedo with matching wrist band! There must be a whole chapter where they hide among the ferns, furiously glamorizing and accessorizing. Can't say these queens don't know how to escape with style. 

Gay Twins

Cover Art: Ed Smith

"They made sweet music together!"

I love how the taglines tell you exactly what to expect.  In this case, I suspect this is what would have happened had Richard Carpenter been born a twin. And check out the size of that jar of dolls! Someone is about to find themselves ass-up at the bathhouse sans tighty whities!

Fruit Punch

Cover Art: Darrel Millsap

"Paul was a gangster's 'Doll' who mixed a wicked..."

I... I don't even want to know what a 'fruit punch' means in this context. But, poor Paul! Is he waiting to be tickled or trying to avoid the clutches of Mickey 'the molester' Mancini?  There better be a nice mink coat in it for him. You know, one that 'fell' off a truck?

Darling Boy

Cover Art: Darrel Millsap

"His life was a quest for the Queen of his heart."

Something tells me darling boy's quest has less to do with his heart and more to do with the figure in one's bank account. That better not be a cheap Timex on that queen's wrist!  And I'm thinking she's not there to admire the tile work.

Captive in Lavender

Cover Art: Darrel Millsap

"Passion gave them the off-color blues."

A tale of laundry mishaps? I dunno... is this a love affair that takes place in a laundromat? Well, who am I to judge (been there, done that). Darrel Millsap did a ton of covers for this genre, but this?  He must of been having an off day. What's with the dude in the purple's left arm? Stroke? Although, I must say, I do admire those tighty whities and that tuft of black pubic hair escaping the waistband. 

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Well, that's all for now. These books are just too awesome not to give each one their due. Like what you see? Did I get something wrong? Let me know in the comments section.

Darlin' - Frankie Miller

Lavender - Marillion