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For the Boys
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 17, 2012
The men (or more accurately, "bois") that Joe Phillips draws are not attractive to everyone. Most are usually half-dressed in that sagging jeans, boxers-showing style that you either love or hate. His first hardcover collection of art, Boys Will Be Boys, published by Bruno Gmuder, was full of this type of boi and not much else. Then came the book version of his animated porno movie, The House of Morecock, in which clothing was very optional.
His new volume, For The Boys is full of cute young guys playing in the sand, on the streets and being generally romantic. There are lots of pages of guys sharing romantic kisses. 90% of the book is such stuff, in fact.
The cover image sets the tone, a gay reworking of the classic "V-J Day" image of a lip-lock in Times Square -- only this time the young man in sailor blues is kissing a dark-haired young man in a white t and slacks. In fact, most of the guys in this volume seem to exist in some hopeful reality where public displays of affection are not only accepted, they're celebrated. There's a playful tone to most of the images, and a wistful quality to most of them. The first image in the book is two young men on a wooden dock on the shore of a lake -- very nostalgic / romantic (and not at all erotic). I think Joe is at his best when he's shooting for that feeling.
The major difference between this book and Joe's first is that not every image is of young twinks. There are several images of older men in romantic pairings, too. Pages eight and nine might be my favorites of the book. Page nine is a waist-up shot of a gray-haired, hairy-chested man who looks a lot like Tom, the firefighter who won last season's Survivor: Vanuatu. Page eight is a shot of a pair of thirty-somethings with greying hair romantically cuddled on the couch under photos of the history of their long-term relationship: seeing Star Wars together as young teens, a very 80s prom pic, and a beach shot from in their twenties. Joe seems to be saying that, while hot young twinks are what sells his art, he hopes that romance outlasts one-night stands. (That could be me reading what I think into the art, but it works for me.)
There really is something for everyone in here, and I could go on for pages describing the panels that I like the most.
Of course, since it's a Bruno Gmuder publication, there has to be at least some full-frontal nudity, and Joe does provide that towards the back of the book, almost like an afterthought. There are about 10 shots in which the (very large) genetalia of the characters is the focus of the shot. Most of these seem to be an "angels and demons" portfolio, although the last two shots stretch that concept ... the "demon" is a leather-daddy with a devil tattoo, and the "angel" is a nude young man on his belly with a butterfly alighting between his shoulder-blades.
The book is worth checking out, overall. The romantic and wistful imagery definitely outweighs the porn aspect
His new volume, For The Boys is full of cute young guys playing in the sand, on the streets and being generally romantic. There are lots of pages of guys sharing romantic kisses. 90% of the book is such stuff, in fact.
The cover image sets the tone, a gay reworking of the classic "V-J Day" image of a lip-lock in Times Square -- only this time the young man in sailor blues is kissing a dark-haired young man in a white t and slacks. In fact, most of the guys in this volume seem to exist in some hopeful reality where public displays of affection are not only accepted, they're celebrated. There's a playful tone to most of the images, and a wistful quality to most of them. The first image in the book is two young men on a wooden dock on the shore of a lake -- very nostalgic / romantic (and not at all erotic). I think Joe is at his best when he's shooting for that feeling.
The major difference between this book and Joe's first is that not every image is of young twinks. There are several images of older men in romantic pairings, too. Pages eight and nine might be my favorites of the book. Page nine is a waist-up shot of a gray-haired, hairy-chested man who looks a lot like Tom, the firefighter who won last season's Survivor: Vanuatu. Page eight is a shot of a pair of thirty-somethings with greying hair romantically cuddled on the couch under photos of the history of their long-term relationship: seeing Star Wars together as young teens, a very 80s prom pic, and a beach shot from in their twenties. Joe seems to be saying that, while hot young twinks are what sells his art, he hopes that romance outlasts one-night stands. (That could be me reading what I think into the art, but it works for me.)
There really is something for everyone in here, and I could go on for pages describing the panels that I like the most.
Of course, since it's a Bruno Gmuder publication, there has to be at least some full-frontal nudity, and Joe does provide that towards the back of the book, almost like an afterthought. There are about 10 shots in which the (very large) genetalia of the characters is the focus of the shot. Most of these seem to be an "angels and demons" portfolio, although the last two shots stretch that concept ... the "demon" is a leather-daddy with a devil tattoo, and the "angel" is a nude young man on his belly with a butterfly alighting between his shoulder-blades.
The book is worth checking out, overall. The romantic and wistful imagery definitely outweighs the porn aspect
September 27, 2011
I feel cheesy saying this about a book with naked cartoon men, but I loved For the Boys. I think it is extremely fun. The art really is outstanding--very well done, colorful and sensual. While many of the men are without clothing, it doesn't have a real porn feel to it, which is nice. In some ways, it almost has an innocent flavor. I simply enjoy taking it out sometimes and reviewing the art again. Also, as an artist myself, I greatly appreciate what has been done in this book and it inspires me to do more of my own art. It is also just a silly, fun conversation starter (with the right group of friends). We have had several laughs while looking over this book. Obviously, if you are looking at this book online and reading a review, you don't need any warnings about the graphic nature (although, it is sensual--not sexual). I would only recommend this book to guys (or some girls, I guess) who simply enjoy different types of art and expression, as well for those who have a flare for imagination, fantasy, and have an original sense of innocence and humor.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews