BEAR, the trailblazing publication that helped define and popularize subcultural spaces for rugged, hirsute men, is returning to newsstands and coffee tables after years in hibernation.
Originally founded in San Francisco in 1987 as a humble stapled zine by Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson, BEAR grew into an international cultural touchstone, pioneering a distinct aesthetic within queer media. Following corporate shifts, a tax seizure in the early 2000s, and a brief digital-only presence, the publication ultimately went dark.
Now, under publisher Richard Jones—founder of Bear World Magazine—the iconic title is making its official return to physical print as a high-quality quarterly publication.
The modernized revival balances classic features with contemporary additions, including full-color photo essays by Mack Sturgis and Jeremiah Damian, columns by sex educator Zachary Zane and advice columnist Cody Daigle-Orians, and the return of retro-style personal ads updated for modern readers. Addressing the shift back to paper in a screen-saturated era, Jones emphasized that people are craving something tangible again—a physical magazine to hold, keep, and place on a coffee table.
The inaugural revival issue is slated for release this fall, distributed via direct online sales, select indie bookstores, and major community gatherings, alongside early-bird subscriptions and community archive preservation initiatives aimed at restoring early print issues.
Readers can find more information, merchandise, and updates at the publication’s official web page: https://thebearmag.com/
