The Exotic Adventures of Robert Silverberg by Robert Deis, Wyatt Doyle & Robert Silverberg

I’ve been a long-time fan of Robert Silverberg but have almost always limited myself to his science fiction novels and short stories. He has been incredibly prolific for many years and has won just about every award out there for sci-fi. I also knew he wrote in other genres, and I even knew he wrote a lot in the men’s adventure genre for the MAMs (Men’s Adventure Magazines). However, up until now I’ve never run across any such stories or anthologies so never got to sample them.

Thankfully, as is so often the case, it is Bob Deis and Wyatt Doyle to the rescue. The years 1958-59 saw the publication of a short-lived MAM called “Exotic Adventures”. While Silverberg only had one story included in the first issue, his ability to write different stories in a variety of locales and do it very quickly resulted in him gaining more and more of the authorship in future volumes, under different pseudonyms. By the final issue of the magazine, he was writing almost the entire content.

Every one of Silverberg’s stories written for “Exotic Adventures” is included here for a total of 17 tales. They are all pulpy stories that include adventure, sexy girls, exotic locations, and more sexy girls. Some are written as pseudo-real stories, as if they are factual events with by lines such as in “Island of Exiled Women” by “Lin Charles as told by Sam Mallory”. All are told from a male character’s point of view with the exception of the final tale, “I Escaped from the Soviet Slave Camp”, told from a female’s POV. Every story includes some form of sexual adventures although the level of detail is quite tame by today’s standards.

Additionally, original advertisements are included, sprinkled throughout, just as in the original MAMs. It’s fun to peruse opportunities to acquire fine products such as “40 of the most sensational and exciting scenes and poses ever photographed of Bridgette Bardot”. Or perhaps learn how to “Run your car, half on gas, half on air”. I was certainly tempted to send in my $4.98 right now for “A Real Mobile Tank over 6 feet long”, or perhaps the “Genuine Stuffed Alligator for only $1.98”.

All in all, this is a dandy collection of stories, accompanied by the wonderful artwork of the original magazine. The introduction by Deis and Doyle provides a great background, not only on Silverberg himself, but also on the artwork and the original “Exotic Adventures” magazine. I’m very happy to have this volume in my collection.

Men's Adventure Quarterly, Vol 4 - Jungle Girls by Bob Deis & Bill Cinningham

The fourth edition of the Men’s Adventure Quarterly magazine is, once again, another fine addition to the stable. As much as I enjoy each one, the next one always seems to top the previous one by a slim margin. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but there it is. 

The first three volumes were devoted to specific topics: Westerns, Espionage, and Vigilantes. Obviously, the next topic to be conquered is Jungle Girls. All of the content, prose and artwork, is sourced from the men’s adventure magazines (MAMs) of the 1950’s, 60s’ and 70’s.

About half of this volume is devoted to the inestimable Jane Dolinger. Here was an adventurer like few others. She billed herself as an "adventure travel writer” who traveled the world’s exotic locations to experience the cultures and then write about them. She became known as “Jungle Jane Dolinger”. Ultimately, she would produce a half dozen or so books and hundreds of travel articles for magazines and newspapers. She was also a model, often posing for scantily clad photos to accompany her articles and stories, many of which are included here as well.

The other real-life jungle girl in this issue is German born Marion Michael, billed as the next Bridget Bardot and cast in a couple of German films, (Liane, Jungle Goddess), while still in her teens.

Four Jungle Girl stories are presented as well, all in the faux-realism style that was common for the MAMs (written in the style of a true-life adventure even though fictional). Of course, there is much more here than just the stories and articles. The artwork alone is worth the cover price but there are also oodles of informative content about the authors, artists, and publishers behind the work. Very informative, just as I expect from this high-quality production.

Men's Adventure Quarterly, Vol 3 by Bob Deis & Bill Cunningham

The third edition of the Men’s Adventure Quarterly magazine is yet another fine addition to the stable. Whereas the first volume was devoted to Westerns and the second to Espionage, this third volume focuses squarely on vigilantes. All of the content, prose and artwork, is sourced from the men’s adventure magazines (MAMs) of the 1950’s, 60s’ and 70’s.

In addition to an editorial from both editors, Bob Deis and Bill Cunningham, a third is presented by famed comic book and prose author, Chuck Dixon. Three vigilante-style stories are presented in the first half of the magazine while it devoted the second half to the father of all action-oriented vigilante fiction, Mack Bolan, AKA “The Executioner”. A “book bonus” feature is presented for the first two Mack Bolan novels, "War Against the Mafia" and "Death Squad". These lengthy pieces are condensed from the original novels but appear just as they did in the pages of “For Men Only” magazine and “Men” magazine in 1969 and 1971, respectively. I’ve read both novels many years ago, but these condensed versions really capture the essence and most of the plots of those two books.

Of course, there is much more here than just the stories. The artwork alone is worth the cover price but there are also oodles of informative content about the authors, artists and publishers behind the work. A real highlight of this issue is as article written by Linda Pendleton, wife of The Executioner creator and author, Don Pendleton. Plenty of insights on the history of this iconic series is presented.

I’ll keep on reading these as long as they produce them. Absolute quality all the way around.

Men's Adventure Quarterly, Vol 2 by Bob Deis & Bill Cunningham

The second volume of the continuing quarterly publication of stories and essays from the golden age of what are known as “MAMs” or Men’s Adventure Magazines continues the excellent content and visual representation of the first. MAMs were magazines mostly from the 1950s-60s that were geared toward men, often violent and with pulpy adventure style yarns. More often than not, the stories were accompanied by colorful art that featured scantily clad women. The publishers, after all, knew their target audience. This time around the subject is espionage and this value is packed full.

Once again, this is a large, slick, high-quality product. It’s chock full of reprinted stories and articles from the original MAMs as well as wonderful introductions by Bob Deis and Bill Cunningham. The stories presented are from the likes of “Man’s Action, “Man’s Illustrated”, and “Male” magazines complimented by impressive original full color and B&W artwork. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Additionally, there are a couple of in-depth articles as well as a full color art gallery of classic covers.

Just as in the first issue, what really drives it over the top are the introductions to each story and article. Often when I read anthologies, I feel lucky when a story is introduced with a paragraph or two providing some background. But here, we get two and three pages of intro, describing each story’s origins, the author’s life, the artists involved and even the publishing background. The folks behind this publication really know their subject and their passion for all of it shines through once again in spades.

Hopefully Robert Deis and Bill Cunningham can put their considerable knowledge of the MAMs to work for our enjoyment for a long time to come. This will have a permanent place on my shelves, right alongside every issue that is published in the future.

Men's Adventure Quarterly, Vol 1 by Bob Deis & Bill Cunningham

Color me impressed!

This is the first volume of what I sure hope is a continuing quarterly publication of stories and essays from the golden age of what are known as “MAMs” or Men’s Adventure Magazines. These were magazines mostly from the 1950s-60s that were geared toward men, often violent and with pulpy adventure style yarns. More often than not, the stories were accompanied by colorful art that featured scantily clad women. The publishers, after all, knew their target audience.

Now, Robert Deis and Bill Cunningham have put their considerable knowledge of the MAMs to work for our enjoyment. Each volume will focus on a single theme. This first one focuses on westerns and the second revolves around the world of espionage while the third devotes itself to the world of vigilantes. I own them all will be posting reviews of them as well, shortly.

This is a large, slick, high-quality product.  The cover alone makes my mouth water. But it is the contents that really blow me away. It’s chock full of reprinted stories and articles from the original MAMs as well as wonderful introductions by Bob Deis, Bill Cunningham, and guest editor, Paul Bishop. There are nine stories presented from the likes of “MALE”, “Man’s Life”, and “All Man” magazines complimented by impressive original full color and B&W artwork. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Additionally, there are a couple of in-depth articles as well as a full color art gallery of classic covers.

All of that would have added up to a sure-fire winner. But, for me, what really drives it over the top are the introductions to each story and article. Often when I read anthologies, I feel lucky when a story is introduced with a paragraph or two providing some background. But here, we get two and three pages of intro, describing each story’s origins, the author’s life, the artists involved and even the publishing background. The folks behind this publication really know their subject and their passion for all of it shines through in spades.

This will have a permanent place on my shelves, right alongside every issue that is published in the future. Highest recommendation!