On May 12, 1992, famed male physique photographer Bob Mizer died. Now, 25 years later, the Bob Mizer Foundation has announced it will relaunch his ground-breaking and controversial magazine, Physique Pictorial, this summer.

 

Physique Pictorial was founded in 1951, offering images of scantily-clad muscle men flexing and posing and looking hot. Nothing like it existed at the time, and it was the most homoerotic US periodical for decades. Mizer's publication had a long life of 40 years, but ceased publication in 1990.

 

“Now, nearly 30 years later, we want to expose a new generation to Physique Pictorial,” explained Dennis Bell, founder and president of the Bob Mizer Foundation. “We have volunteers from across the country who are assisting in this endeavor, from design work to writing.”

 

 

The first new issue of Physique Pictorial will be out in early-August, Bell said, and future issues will be released quarterly. Each will feature a spread of a popular Mizer model, with accompanying biographical information. But the periodical will also look to the future, with profiles and portfolios from up and coming modern-day photographers who embrace imagery of the male physique.

 

Aside from photographs, the magazine will feature stories that explore other elements of the male physique photography genre in general and Mizer’s world specifically.  

 

“We want to maintain the artistic integrity of the original publication while updating it for a 21st century audience,” Bell noted. 

 

 

“Dennis and I were committed to preserving Mizer’s spirit with the return of Physique Pictorial, and that meant a simple presentation, without a lot of flourishes," said art director Frederick Woodruff. "Highlighting the beauty and power of the male form was always Bob’s priority and we’re continuing that standard -- but with a bit more graphic pizazz this time around.”

 

Bell added: “We strive to meet that goal in all we do here at the Foundation -- to foster enthusiasm for the art of Bob Mizer, which was revolutionary and even illegal in his time, but which is experiencing a renaissance today. Mizer was also known for being generous in his efforts to promote other artists and give them a place where their work could be recognized. We are thrilled to be able to extend that tradition here as well. This continuation of Physique Pictorial is an homage to Mizer’s art and its lasting effect on our culture and on masculinity.”

 

Each issue of Physique Pictorial will cost $20, and the Foundation’s website will begin taking preorders in the coming weeks.

After watching Internet porn for years, this should be quite refreshing.