Men Today was one of the spicier men’s adventure magazines. It is probably most famous – and infamous – for its gonzo Nazi bondage and torture covers, many of which were painted by the now famed pulp illustrator, Norm Eastman.
Former men’s mag editor Bruce Jay Friedman called magazines in this sub-genre “the leg shacklers” in his entertaining autobiographical book, Even the Rhinos Were Nymphos: Best Nonfiction (a must read for fans of men’s postwar pulp and girlie mags).
The February 1963 issue of Men Today is among my favorites in my own collection. The cover art is an over-the-top scene of Nazis dunking the quintessential scantily clad babe into a tank full of piranhas. Wild!
No wonder this is one of the covers featured in Adam Parfrey’s excellent overview of the men’s sweat mag genre, It’s a Man’s World: Men’s Adventure Magazines, The Postwar Pulps
In addition to having a terrific cover, the Feb. ‘63 issue of Men Today includes a set of stories that are pure pulp splendor. Just reading the table of contents of this one is a treat for fans of pulp stuff:
LOVE CAPTIVE OF CASTRO’S EXECUTION SQUAD HARLOTS
The she-demons picked me as their next victim.“YANKEE DOG, YOU WALK – YOU DIE!”
We scream at the Japs: “Kill us, and get it over with.”ONE TICK TO DOOM – THE BOMB SQUAD IN ACTION
Your job: Neutralize it and walk away in one piece.LINDA’S OUR LOVE [cheesecake photos of the lovely Linda]
BRIDES OF AGONY IN THE CAVE OF HORROR
They screamed their tortures in the cave of living hell.BORED HOUSEWIVES – SUCKERS FOR SIN
Vice racketeers are aiming their guns at your wife.MME. DOLLY’S INCREDIBLE BAWDY HOUSE ON WHEEL
The canvas covered wagon hid a bevy of uncovered girls.CANADIAN DELIGHT [more cheesecake photos]
SOFT MAIDENS FOR THE MONSTER’S DEVIL FISH
The extent of Weigel’s depravity was revealed to Marguerita.HE-MAN, HOW DOES YOUR WIFE RATE YOU?
Now a doctor reveals how to attain marital bliss.NO REST FROM PASSION – CONFESSIONS OF A NYMPHOMANIAC
I’m sick deep inside and the need drives me mad.
Whew! Now, THAT is a classic men’s adventure magazine!