Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 114: HIS69, Part 43 of 44

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 114

HIS69, Part 43 of 44

The HIS69 imprint was active from 1971 thru 1988, delivering an astounding 531 titles. Surrey House, Inc. / Surree Ltd, Inc. of San Diego and Santee, California are responsible for this imprint which was distributed by the same company as Trojan Books, Manhard Books, Gay Books and Gay Way Books; the Zorro Distribution Company, also operating out of San Diego.

It should be noted that many of these titles, with original artwork included, were simultaneously republished under the Gay Books imprint and then, later, minus the artwork, were also republished under the ManPower imprint.

The artwork for the HIS69 books would go through only two minor shifts with all the covers featuring ink drawings by various uncredited illustrators - artwork quite similar to what we saw with the Manhard imprint.

Wow... one more post to go folks and we will be done with HIS69 books. Amazingly, we got twelve out of twelve! covers this week.

The Perfect Man 

Author: Max Martin

HIS69628

I sometimes wonder if the perfect man for each of us wouldn't be a clone of ourselves. The notion that there is such a thing as the perfect man? Utter nonsense. And to try and turn yourself into the perfect man? Well, good luck. Talk about a lot of work for nothing. Trust me, the pursuit of perfection only reveals and creates more flaws. We're all tragically human, and, in a way, that is, in itself, a form of perfection. 

To live a happy life, we must accept ourselves and those around us 'as is.' That's the beauty of empathy - the one trait that can help guarantee a level of happiness. It gives us the ability to understand, to consider, to contemplate. The more sides you can see of an issue, or a person, the more you can comprehend and, even if it's not something that makes you 'happy,' at least you can appreciate the complexities which create that situation, that person.  

Available as an e-book or pdf at Hommi Publshing.

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On My Way Up 

Author: Roland Graeme

HIS69629

I'm assuming these are security guards and not cops, given the logo on their sleeves. Love this illustration.

I also love the direct/indirect means the dude on the left is employing to indicate the focus of his desire. Sixpence! Cue up Madonna's Ray Of Light.

Imagine if you went to a gay bar and was handed a tiny flashlight as you entered. Talk about your spotlight dance! Sixpence! Cue up Madonna's Spotlight.

I wonder if that would get annoying? Having people you don't know putting a shine on your junk?

Back Cover

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Hi, Neighbor 

Author: Ed Kroch

HIS69630

What a funny title! I love it. It appears these two are about to bridge the divide between their respective apartment balconies. I'm all for being neighborly. Sadly, most of my immediate eligible neighbors are either far too young or far too tasteful to bother with the likes of me. And though, thanks to Grindr and GPS, I am aware of all the gays in the whole hood... I still think most folks don't like to 'eat' close to home.

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Roommates 

Author: Jody Bishop

HIS69631

If you think neighbors who hook-up and then go their separate ways would be uncomfortable, imagine if you hit on your hot roomie and he was..."umm, no thanks!" Yikes. Of course, from all appearances these two seem to be in sync with one another. Though I do wonder just what the dude on the right has in mind when it comes to that bottle of Tabasco!

Available as an e-book or pdf at Hommi Publshing.

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Professor’s Boy 

Author: Derek Olson

HIS69632

Hmm. Now, I wonder... is this a student/teacher relationship? (Mostly frowned upon and rarely a good idea.) Or is this a son/father situation - (Also frowned upon and never a good idea.) Yeah, I am definitely a member of the Incest Is Bad club. I also don't think people should be in a relationship when there is an implied or plausible power imbalance. You hook-up with and then break-up with the wrong professor? Your academic future can quickly become quite dim. Then again, as a young gay, growing up with visions of Barbie in your head? You get a chance to get with a Ken doll like the professor shown? I can see why you might be tempted to hit that. But... take my advice. Take that particular course pass/fail.

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Farmhand Summer 

Author: Doug Garrison

HIS69633

Yeehaw! I am down for some time on the farm, especially if that farm employs hands like these. I, for one, would love to give these cowboys a cowpoke!

But, hey... somebody explain to me why preppy junior there has his finger stuck in a beer bottle? Guess you have to read the book...

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Love’s Second Cumming 

Author: Hugh Johnson

HIS69634

Ah, the gay world's favorite pun.

 
When you're the age of the two studlets pictured, it's not uncommon for second or even third cummings. Even at my age, a second round is possible... given the right circumstances - a rare occurrence these days, but hey... it could happen.

The setting shown appears to be the deck of a ship and our young preppy on the left seems to be offering that young ship hand a bit of monetary incentive. Something tells me that ship will be at full mast before leaving the dock! Yes, anchors away and full steam ahead!

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Poker Studs 

Author: Tony Moore

HIS69635

I've only played strip poker once in my life. I was in seventh grade. An eighth grader befriended me at the community pool and invited me over to his house for an overnight visit. We slept in his parent's travel trailer in the parking lot at his house. It began with a rather curious 'let's change out of our bathing suits' session. Once in the trailer, it was suggested that we play strip poker. Needless to say, I had no clue how to play poker (still don't.) And even more needless to say... I was naked three hands in. 

From the looks of things, these two studs are of age and this is not their first time 'round the rodeo.' And while they're about to be played by the man holding what could quickly become a full flush, I don't know that it will lead to anybody getting laid. 

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Monkey Pounding 

Author: Lee Ryder

HIS69636

In the age of Monkey Pox, this could take on a whole new meaning. That is one kind of pounding nobody wants - apparently, if you get it in the anal canal (possible) it's very painful. That's why you should get vaccinated if eligible. One of the qualifiers? Men who have sex with more than one male partner. So, do yourself, and the community a favor - get vaccinated now and bring this thing under control. We are better than this - so, let's stay ahead of it.

Oh, and look... Another Lee Ryder original. Ryder is one of my personal favorites from the golden age of gay porn - the ultimate pony boy! Well, at least I wouldn't taking him out for a ride. Sigh.

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Pile Driving Jocks 

Author: Paul J. Simon

HIS69637

More money exchanging hands. Did you ever have a job in fast food? I did, while in high school. It was a very short career. I got fired after about six months. Seems employers like you to show up on time, which was news to me, at the time. I really did believe that if rehearsal or practice ran over, that it was okay to punch in a bit late.

Love that title and all it implies... or do I? These days? I'm more about feeling the motion of the ocean, not the punch of your junk in my trunk. Oh, I did go through a period when fast and furious was my mode of operandi. The swifter and fiercer? The better I liked it. But no more. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's wisdom. Maybe its a matter of developing standards and a bit of good taste? Push, push in the bush? Sure. But you best take your time and change it up some if you want me to put out.

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The Ways Of The Greeks 

Author: Ward Michaels

HIS69638

Greek men are so hot. I don't even mind if they have a belly. It's that hair. That fur. And that cocky attitude. I love them loud. I'll even put up with the razor burn. Sigh.

Pictured, our tourist has found two of the purist examples of Greek manhood. No doubt our preppy traveler will soon find himself in the middle of something he can't get out of. Oh, to be in his penny loafers. 

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Hot Indiana Summer 

Author: Andrew Martin

HIS69639

Its only August and I am already looking forward to next spring. Give me those hot summer nights. I love the ones where the sweat drips and the humidity hangs heavier than #MoscowMitch's old turtle balls. Those are the days and nights of magic; the kind Tennessee Williams wrote about.

Now, at this point in the imprint's life span, it's 1987 - and everybody - and I mean everybody - knew by then that hitchhiking was never a good idea. But our little studlet appears to have no shame and not a care in the world. Hell, if I looked that good in a pair of cut-offs, I wouldn't either. 

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And that's all for now.

One more post to go, and we say good-bye to this imprint... sort of.

Until next time...

Thanks for reading!

Monkey - George Michael