Advocate Men (September 1986), Part One

A Chilean native who immigrated to Australia, Juan Davila has been using his artwork to promote socio-politico-economic commentary since his first exhibit in 1974. In fact, several of his pieces have provoked backlash, including a scatological rendition of the Burke and Wills expedition and a La Pieta where Mary cradles a giant phallus (the latter prompted the Australian Christian Lobby to demand its removal from the Griffith University Art Museum in 2019). This September 1986 issue of Advocate Men (which has been broken into two parts) offers a showcase of Davila’s early works. Also contained in this first half are the short stories “Coming Out Is Hard To Do” and “Getting Timchenko” (both about comradery between best friends that turns into amorous passion) and a photospread of models Jake Scott.

Honcho (August 1981), Part Two

On August 15, 1980, George Bosque, a security guard for Brink’s, robbed one of the trucks he was driving and fled with nearly two million dollars in cash. Having recently separated from his boyfriend, Bosque fled San Francisco, took the alias of J. R. Lewis, and reestablished himself in New York City, where he lived a lavish life with his stolen riches. Eventually, though, the law caught up with Bosque and he served fifteen years in a federal prison for his crimes, dying of a supposed drug overdose five years after his release. Upon his arrest, Bosque had only $34,850 left of the $1.85 million he stole, having spent most of the fortune on parties, furnishing his apartment, and financing an adult film. In fact, the movie is largely the reason Bosque is still remembered today, since his robbery has slipped quietly into the annals of crime history. Titled Centurians of Rome, the film centers around two farmers in ancient Rome who are forced into slavery and must trade sexual favors for their survival. With a $100,000 backing from Bosque, the production was fraught with issues as creative differences between director John Christopher, producer Bosque, and distributor Hand in Hand Films added frustrations to an inexperienced cast and crew. Upon its release in December of 1981, the film faced additional problems as Lloyd’s of London – the insurance company for Brink’s who paid the claim on Bosque’s robbery – sued for ownership of the film. Although the suit was eventually dropped, it added additional lore to the movie (which is touted as the most-expensive gay adult film ever made). Featured in this August 1981 issue of Honcho (which has been broken into two parts) is a review of the movie. Contained in this second half (see the first half here) is an Alex comic, an interview with model Jack Wrangler, the short story “The Bicycle” (about the narrator's encounter with a blond bicyclist), and photspreads titled “Manpower” and “On the Docks.”

Honcho (August 1981), Part One

On August 15, 1980, George Bosque, a security guard for Brink’s, robbed one of the trucks he was driving and fled with nearly two million dollars in cash. Having recently separated from his boyfriend, Bosque fled San Francisco, took the alias of J. R. Lewis, and reestablished himself in New York City, where he lived a lavish life with his stolen riches. Eventually, though, the law caught up with Bosque and he served fifteen years in a federal prison for his crimes, dying of a supposed drug overdose five years after his release. Upon his arrest, Bosque had only $34,850 left of the $1.85 million he stole, having spent most of the fortune on parties, furnishing his apartment, and financing an adult film. In fact, the movie is largely the reason Bosque is still remembered today, since his robbery has slipped quietly into the annals of crime history. Titled Centurians of Rome, the film centers around two farmers in ancient Rome who are forced into slavery and must trade sexual favors for their survival. With a $100,000 backing from Bosque, the production was fraught with issues as creative differences between director John Christopher, producer Bosque, and distributor Hand in Hand Films added frustrations to an inexperienced cast and crew. Upon its release in December of 1981, the film faced additional problems as Lloyd’s of London – the insurance company for Brink’s who paid the claim on Bosque’s robbery– sued for ownership of the film. Although the suit was eventually dropped, it added additional lore to the movie (which is touted as the most-expensive gay adult film ever made). Featured in this August 1981 issue of Honcho (which has been broken into two parts) is a review of the movie. Also contained in this first half are photospreads titled “Afloat” and “Hot Pink” and the short stories “Journey’s End” (where a desperate, unemployed carpenter tries to prove more than just his woodworking skills) and “Paradise” (about the narrator’s week of sexual passion at his father’s Florida apartment).