Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction - An Adult Book, Part Two: Aaron Thomas, Carl Branch, and Chris Davidson

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction

Adult Book, Part Two

Aaron Thomas, Carl Branch, and Chris Davidson

This is part two of an on-going series exploring gay pulp fiction. Today we will focus on three authors whose works were part of the Adult Book imprint from Greenleaf Classics. To learn a little bit about the history of this imprint, take a look at my previous post: Part One.

These books were published during a period (May thru November) in 1968 when Adult Book focused on gay titles. For this post, we will be looking at the works of three authors: Aaron Thomas, Carl Branch, and Chris Davidson. Titles do not appear in the of order of publication. 

Now, let's take a look at these works (and have a little fun at their expense).

Three by Aaron Thomas

In addition to these three titles, Aaron Thomas wrote another twelve books in this genre, including Cock Shy for the Gay Novel imprint.

Charlie Darling

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

"He was a lavender lover with a velvet voice!"

This is one of my favorite Darrell Millsap covers. I think it's that 'Valley of the Dolls' vibe that it captures. I love the clingy blonde in the green bikini. I must caution Charlie, however. See those stage door Johnnies in the background? Well, STIs are not the only thing Charlie needs to beware of. Excessively deep-throating dicks is hard on one's voice... something I (and a certain Ms. Carey) know only too well!

The Family Jewels

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

"Jack has a yen for Cleve's cleavage and..."

Is Mr. Pink Pants getting frisked by an officer of the law? Or is that his chauffeur? And why are they standing on the front lawn without shirts? This cover art raises more questions than it answers. Also, I have to say, personally... since Jack is a flaming redhead, he should really rethink those pink pants. And Cleve... Cleve... what an odd name. Is that short for Cleveland?

Gay Orgy

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

Aww... the guy who writes taglines must have been out sick the day this one went to press. Either that, or the publishers couldn't come up with anything and felt the title spoke for itself. Very psychedelic, man. Far out. But this does not look like any orgy I have ever attended. Are they performing an interpretive dance? And where are all the hairy, big-bellied dudes?  I must say, I do like that white thong. Nice touch.

Three by Carl Branch

These are the only three titles credited to Carl Branch.

A Few of The Boys

Cover Art: Ed Smith

"Dave liked girls - until he tried..."

Okay, I wanna know which of these guys is supposed to be Dave? Because the guy seated in the yellow speedo? He is giving the other guy some serious Paul Lynde face. Of course, if someone that nelly walked up to me on the beach, struck that pose and offered me his hand...?  My face would look like I smelled shit, too. 

Idylls of the Queens

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

"Budding love among loving buddies."

Okay. Again with the disconnect. This Brokeback Mountain is broke!  I know that 'idylls' refers to the joys of rustic life, but from the looks of this cover, isn't this about cowboys? Or ranch hands? So why are they referred to as queens? And since when do men of the wild west refer to each other as 'buddies'? Hey... we demand a do-over! I mean, keep the cover art (check out the imprint on the left thigh of Mr. Blue Jeans and I have always been a big fan of tighty whities), but let's re-think that tagline and title. 

All Shades of Gay

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"Jerry mixed paint and passion in..."

Hmm... do you think E.L. James ever read this book? Eh, probably just a coincidence. Besides, Jerry (who looks an awful lot like Jeffery Epstein) was not content with just fifty shades - he played with them all (slut!). Love the cover art. That pale pink/lavender title set against a sea of burnt orange? I had no idea that was the color of gay.

Three by Chris Davidson

Chris Davidson (Chris Davies) was quite prolific (fourteen titles for this genre) and is responsible for the infamous Nazi/gay sex slave classic, Go Down, Aaron, written for the Ember Library Book imprint. Oh, yeah... we'll be visiting that one later in the series.

Buffy and the Holy Quest

Cover Art: Ed Smith

"He searched the gay world for the perfect mate"

So is this where the idea for Buffy the Vampire Slayer came from? Because those big old floating heads are looking pretty evil to me. Reminds me of a D.C. superhero comic. And Buffy... looking a tad innocent and dressed like a total rich boy twat... limiting himself to only 'the gay world'? Hmm. Maybe he deserves what he finds. Well, that does help explain how he found Ms. Jane Drysdale, there, on the left.

Buffy Rides Again!

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

"He was the frosh flash of a fag fraternity!"

Buffy's a busy boy! And ambitious to boot. Didn't he just search the whole gay world for the love of his life? Does he really have time for college? Oh. Maybe he's one of those guys who signs up for a semester's worth of classes and only attends the first day. That leaves plenty of time for fraternity shenanigans. Though, if Buffy is the one pictured in the tighty whities, all this bed hopping is taking it's toll... because dude looks like he's fast approaching forty! And that tagline... 'frosh flash' - not fresh flesh?  I am thinking somebody missed an opportunity to drive that little writing device right into the ground!

Caves of Iron

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"Darling of all dark desires captive in..."

Man, tighty whiteys must have been the thing back in 1967/68. I get that. Based on the inviting pose (and the medium sized dick outline)? I'm thinking - bottom. Good thing the warden is cool with those beefcake pinups on the wall of his cell. And check out the dudes across the hall! Is everybody so ken-doll-good-looking in prison?  Then there's that tagline. Ah, yes, nothing sells like alliteration. 

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That's all for now. There are so many books in this genre. The more I research, the more I find. Last week, Jimmy, from If you're wearing shoes you're overdressed, mentioned that his husband volunteers at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale and that the museum has over 4,000 titles of LGBTQ pulp fiction (1950-1965) in the archives. So that gives you some idea of how much of this stuff is out there. 

Like what you see? Did I get something wrong? Let me know in the comments section.

Where the Boys Are - Connie Francis