Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 135 - Adonis Classics, Part 20 of 25

Acquired Tastes XLIII

Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 135

Adonis Classics, Part 20 of 25

Greenleaf Classic Books, the publishers of  the Adonis Classics imprint, began in 1959 and continued until 1971, when management lost focus on the business due to the government's prosecution of obscenity, which became of major concern. 

By 1974, a new management team and staff were in place, operating out of an office at 7523 Raytheon Road in San Diego and production ceased on all existing imprints. In an attempt to break into mainstream markets, two new imprints were started which used cover art and titles that were not provocative. These efforts failed.

In 1975, with the loosening of censorship laws, the Adonis Classics imprint began production. It marks the end of Greenleaf Classic's Classic Age (1959-1975.) 

Adonis Classics would release a total of 252 titles during it's lifespan. 

The first twenty covers feature white backgrounds (with one exception) and colored drawings or black and white pencil illustrations. After the first two titles, a particular type-face was established, with the title appearing above the illustration. The distinctive Adonis Classics symbol was established with either the seventh or eighth title in the series.

After the first twenty titles, the imprint switched to their iconic red covers (though sometimes pink,) featuring a black and white pencil or ink illustration framed in a black circle which has an arrow attached - the universal sign for the planet Mars or to designate something as 'male.' The book's title at the top of the cover is similarly encased in a white circle with an arrow (the symbol for the planet Mars and 'male'.)

This week: 10 out of 10 covers were found.

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Chicken On The Streets 

Author: Wes Cranston

AC 301 

Let's set aside the realities faced by homeless youth and focus on the the artwork instead. It's the only way I can get on with this post. But then, we also must put aside wanton thoughts regarding the sex lives of people living on the streets. As fantasies go, I can only go so far before something clicks into place, arresting all enjoyment. And, perhaps that is why these various imprints eventually run out of steam? A bridge too far?

This particular imprint seems mired in some rather dicey stuff. Hard to claim it as your bread and butter if it is so difficult to swallow. Deviance can be fun and entertaining... but I think a steady diet of it renders it mundane and when the fringes bore, where are we to go to get our jollies?

Available as an e-book or a pdf download at Hommi Publishing.

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Raped Macho Stud 

Author: Jason Bonds

AC 302

Point in case... Raped Macho Stud. I suppose the idea of knocking a cocky breeder down a notch or too is the stuff of satisfying fantasies. And, as pictured, hard to argue with how sexually alluring that bound-up hunk appears with his legs chained in the air.

But, in the age of #MeToo, it's hard to get all that excited about sex without consent. I'm sure the author intends to pacify us with an ending where the titular Macho Stud comes to enjoy the whole thing. But, as I'm writing this on a Monday, I, for one, cannot wrap my head around what justifies all the force necessary before that moment of revelation.

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Brother Scat 

Author: Jason Bonds

AC 303

More extreme fun. I keep imagining the editorial review meeting where these titles got approved. Or, the week before, I imagine the imprint's publisher foaming at the mouth, walking madly about the room demanding something more deviant, more lustful, more potent.

Of course, keep in mind, that cocaine was the drug of choice in the community at the time these were being published. Maybe that had something to do with some of these titles. I do wonder if what we're witnessing here is the death of an imprint.

Available as an e-book or a pdf download at Hommi Publishing.

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Glory Hole Junkie

Author: Wes Cranston

AC 304

Ah, finally something I can relate to. Wes Cranston, voice of reason?

I'm dying a little looking at that perfectly round glory hole and how it matches the nearly-round mouth of this particular tea room's resident golden throat. And something tells me that cop is not opening up that stall wall in order to handcuff our talented little cocksucker.

Or, is he?

Personally? I like to use my hands. Gets the job done quicker. As in... next!

Available as an e-book or a pdf download at Hommi Publishing.

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Banged And Blown Behind Bars 

Author: Barry Dunn

AC 305

Score one for alliteration.

This is a sexy little scene. And behind bars, no less. That title sounds like something NBC's Dateline might devote an hour to. Imagine silver-haired fox Keith Morrison going undercover to get the low down on going down low? 

Well, as long as everyone's on board to have a good time, fine by me. Besides? What else is there to do in prison? Read?

And check out the change up in ink, with the title gone all white. I do believe this and the next one are the only ones in the series to feature that particular style.

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Too Tough To Snuff

Author: Kurt Kimble

AC 306

Here we are with the kill cult. And a bit extreme, don't you think? I don't find death to be sexy, not even in the French sense of an orgasm being a tiny one. But yet another odd little niche in the sexual tapestry to focus on. 

When the stakes are high, senses tingle? A bit dramatic for my taste, but... never one to judge. To each their own.

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Dominated Boys

Author: J.L. Sheldon

AC 307

Ah, a bit of sub/dom play; the meat and potatoes of gay pulp fiction.

Again, I take issue with the binding of the hands. Limits the possibilities.

Available as an e-book or a pdf download at Hommi Publishing.

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Caged Meat 

Author: Barry Dunn

AC 308

More prison fun. Torn between to lovers, indeed.

Which way will he go? My bet? Bent over and face to the floor.

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Black Leather Knights 

Author: Barry Dunn

AC 309

Tom Finland lives! 

This is the sort of scene I imagine playing out in the parking lot at the local Eagle. A bit Village People, but fun none the less. That's the glory of appropriate costuming - everyone knows their role and are committed to their parts... or those of the dude your with. 

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Big Brother’s Chicken Boys

Author: Wes Cranston

AC 310

Well, this appears to be a book one must read in order to divine the purpose of its cover. The prone figure strikes me as somewhat. Native American in style. Which stands in strange contrast with the all-American Ken doll sporting... are those leg warmers? And in the woods, no less.


Big Brother has a lot to answer for. 

And look at that date... we're already at December of 1981!

Available as an e-book or a pdf download at Hommi Publishing.

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And that's all for now.

Next week: another ten tantalizing, titillating titles.

Until then...

Thanks for reading!

Black Leather Rock

From The Motion Picture The Damned