Acquired Tastes LXIII: Gay Pulp Fiction - Part Seven: The Man from C.A.M.P. Series

Acquired Tastes LXIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part Seven

The Man from C.A.M.P. Series

Well, this is a romp! A gay, crime-fighting, secret agent (or gay-gent, as I like to call them) in the mold of James Bond? What a hoot. And a real refreshing change from all the usual gay pulp fiction of the time. Something with a little humor. A bit of camp. A real breath of fresh air. And popular to boot!

We have the prolific Victor J. Banis, the godfather of modern gay fiction, to thank for this. We've looked at other works he's written, here.

(From Wikipedia)

The Man from C.A.M.P. series includes nine original books written by Victor J. Banis (under the pseudonym Don Holliday) and published by Greenleaf Classics as part of their Leisure Books, Companion Books, Pleasure Reader, Ember Library, and Late-Hour Library imprints.

Published quickly, without significant editing, the original books contain many typos and several redundant chapters. In subsequent re-printings and anthologies, these errors were corrected.

The Man from C.A.M.P. series details the adventures of Jackie Holmes, a witty, handsome and absolutely fabulous gay super-spy. Sporting blond hair and a slight build, he battles evil-doers and solves crimes utilizing his amazing strength and agility. Jackie is an even-keeled and capable detective with a strong libido, which comes in handy for gathering clues, fighting super villains, and seducing his more straight-laced crime fighting partners.

He occasionally appears in drag and often has a unique talent or gadget to get out of tight spots. A millionaire, Jackie collects and repairs vintage automobiles. He also has a white poodle named Sophie who is trained to kill with her razor sharp teeth.

C.A.M.P.'s archenemy organization is B.U.T.C.H. (Brothers United to Crush Homosexuality), headed by the infamous Tiger Bey.

The nine original books are presented here in order of publication.

Information garnered from Wikipedia.

The Man from C.A.M.P. 

(1966)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Leisure Books

Lou Upton (head of C.A.M.P.) pairs Jackie with U.S. Treasury Department investigator Ted Summers to foil a Los Angeles gang of gays headed by a lesbian known as Big Daddy. The gang has been counterfeiting diamonds that are so perfect even the experts are fooled.

Color Him Gay 

(1966)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Leisure Books

It's off to Los Angeles and San Francisco for Jackie, where he takes on B.U.T.C.H. The evil doers are up to no good once more, as they attempt to blackmail the closeted British rock superstar Dingo Stark.

First sentence: “Jackie Holmes smiled over the rim of his glass and returned the pressure against his leg.”

Last sentence: “His thoughts, however, did not remain long on that subject. Joyfully, they returned to the present—to the body in his arms, and the pleasure of the moment.”

The Watercress File 

(1966)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Leisure Books

After Jackie and Treasury Agent Rex Winter's initial effort to uncover international criminal organization 'Butterfly' fails, Jackie is summoned by his Aunt Lily to Washington, D.C. There, he teams up with CIA agent Craig Mathews, his aunts and a male cousin. Together, they form W.A.T.E.R.C.R.E.S.S. (Women Acting Together, Enlightened, Righteous, Courageous, Responsible, Enterprising, Strong and Sensible) in order to foil an assassination plot.

The Son Goes Down 

(1966)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Leisure Books

Working with Irish agent Jerry Shannon to stop a crime ring kidnapping blond teenage American boys who are fans of the dead actor Dean James, Jackie heads to Tijuana and Lisbon. He is accompanied by the adopted son of an old friend, a male-to-female transsexual.

Gothic Gaye 

(1966)

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

Imprint: Leisure Books

After Jackie falls in love with Baron Max von der Gout and leaves C.A.M.P. in order to live with him in the supposedly haunted Castle Gaye, B.U.T.C.H. makes various attempts on his life. At Rich's instigation, agents Summers, Stark, Matthews, and Shannon show up to help.

Holiday Gay 

(1967)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Companion Books

During the Christmas season the Swallows, a gang of midgets under the direction of Birdie Wing, engages in a series of jewel heists before Jackie and an unexpected white-bearded gentleman dressed in a lavender suit stops them cold.

Rally Round the Fag 

(1967) 

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Ember Library

Jackie is called upon to impersonate a female double-agent who has become part of a plot to begin World War III. The case leads him to Stockholm, where he dallies with Swedish agent Sven and Russian agent Boris, and for a brief moment to Spain, where he has to put his bullfighting skills to the test.

The Gay Dogs 

(1967)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Ember Library

A vicious gang, under the leadership of dominatrix Anna Lingus, dog-naps Lady Agatha's Yorkshire terrier, causing Jackie chivalrously to go to the rescue.

Blow the Man Down 

(1968)

Cover Art: Darrell Millsap

Imprint: Late-Hour Library

When Atlantic ships start disappearing just before a Summit Cruise, Lou Upton calls on Jackie and U.S. Agent Andy Parks for help. They are then sucked into the domed city of Atlantis, ruled by the emperor Machas Fruche, a.k.a. Mother Schmucker. But never fear, Jackie's musical skills save the day.

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In addition to the nine original books written by Victor J. Banis, three related texts by Elbert Barrow, a.k.a. 'Lady Agatha' appeared. Banis did not have much of a hand in the writing of these.

Sex and the Single Gay 

by Jackie Holmes, 

That Man from C.A.M.P. 

as told to Don Holliday 

(1967)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Leisure Books

One of the first gay self-help guides to appear.

The C.A.M.P. Guide to Astrology 

by Lady Agatha and Jackie Holmes,

as told to Don Holliday 

(1967)

Cover Art: Unknown

Imprint: Late-Hour Library

The C.A.M.P. Cookbook 

by Lady Agatha 

in conspiracy with Don Holliday 

(1968)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Imprint: Pleasure Reader

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That's all for today. We'll be tackling yet another imprint soon. Like what you see? Did I get something wrong? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. 

'Old' Finger - Gina Riley