This is an ADULT-THEMED review, so don’t say I didn’t warn you
Unzipped is a monthly gay men’s magazine that in addition to providing some pretty sexy photo shoots and spreads of various models, also offers some interesting and sometimes useful reading material. Much like the common refrain with Playboy magazine, you actually could read Unzipped for the articles (of course, there are plenty of pictures too).
The Details
This magazine used to be published two times a month, with 24 issues a year, but a few years back they have reduced their publication schedule to 12 issues a year and in the process also bulked up each monthly issue. So instead of smaller bi-weekly issues, a single monthly issue is produced.
A one-year subscription to Unzipped will cost you $39.95 and a single issue on the newsstand is $6.99. The costs are high, like most porn and skin magazines, but with Unzipped, the costs are well worth it if you are looking for more than just skin with your skin magazine.
Unzipped offers a website at http://www.unzipped.net/default.asp where you can subscribe, buy back issues, review portions of the current issue or manage your subscription should you already have one. The pictures on the web are tamer and generally g to r rated, as opposed to the full monty you’ll find in the actual magazine.
In addition to various photo spreads, Unzipped offers quite a few different sections that while all related to sex (and generally naked guys), are entertaining and interesting. These include interviews with various people (generally porn actors, but for instance, the current February 04 issue includes an interview with Len Evans, who’s group works to increase gay visibility in mainstream media), gossip and news in the gay adult entertainment world, a schedule of events where porn stars will be at, reviews of the newest and best gay skin movies, a look at new and interesting toys that are available, and a column where readers questions on sex are answered. In addition there are also feature articles and other stories on sexual health, relationships, dating and more.
Models used throughout the magazine are generally well known porn stars, but Unzipped does tend to provide a great diversity of men. They are not all the cookie-cutter porn stars that you’d expect. Smooth guys, hairy guys, muscled guys, jocks and more, they are all there and anyone with a single “type” of guy would probably be disappointed because Unzipped presents plenty of hot guys, but there are all different kinds.
Images in the photo spreads are generally of one model at a time, though there are some couples (and groups) included at times. The spreads include full nudity and some sex but no hardcore images. If you are looking for couples, take a look at
[2] Magazine, from the same publisher.
Is it worth buying?
I know what you’re saying – reading up there it seems like there’s an awful lot of sex in Unzipped. Well of course there is, it is a gay man’s adult magazine. There are lots of photographs and lots of stories that relate to sex. But what’s really wrong with that? Unzipped takes a positive look at gay men’s sexuality and presents a worthwhile and enjoyable magazine with that perspective.
At one time I had a subscription to Unzipped, I let it lapse more out of the price than anything else (and I was ticked off that it went from bi-weekly to monthly) but I still pick up an issue here and there, especially when there’s a real hot guy on the cover that catches my attention.
I’m glad that there are magazines out there that while clearly meant to excite and entertain us don’t so much focus on hardcore sex but enjoy showing off the male body while presenting interesting, useful and entertaining information at the same time.
Not that I’m all that interested in what’s up in this porn star’s life, but on the whole the stories, articles and various other departments of Unzipped produce a worthwhile magazine that succeeds beyond just the pictures of naked guys.
My Final Take
In general, no more expensive than other skin magazines (which usually are in the same price range for an issue or subscription), Unzipped surpasses those other skin magazines because there are more than just skin and hardcore images in it. So if you just want naked guys in your magazine, there are plenty of other places to look.
Unzipped is for readers who want some entertainment and information along with those pictures of hot naked men.
Other Gay & Lesbian Themed Reviews
Magazines, Newspapers and Books
Instinct Magazine /
Genre Magazine /
Out In The Mountains /
The Advocate /
Love Makes a Family /
XY Magazine /
Out Magazine /
The Gay Guys Guide to Life /
Gay Guy's Guide to Love /
501 Great Things About Being Gay /
Metrosource /
[2] Magazine
Music & Movies
Work OUT (Dance Music) /
Lie Down With Dogs (movie)
Writings
Finding Your Pride /
Massachusetts Leads the Country In the Right Direction /
Gay Marriage in Massachusetts - an Update
Shopping
Kleptomaniac
