This is better than sex......
Written: May 30 '00 (Updated May 30 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent stories and photos. Shocking photos enclosed in a sealed section
Cons: Hard to find in some areas so you might miss an issue or two.
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| Freak369's Full Review: Bizarre Magazine |
Imagine my surprise when I came across a copy of Bizarre at my local Barnes & Noble. I was so excited that I let out a shriek that caused several magazine readers to promptly pick up their belongings and move to the other side of the section. Oh well. Isolation, a small price to pay for finding this magazine.
If you are even the slightest bit interested in reading about bizarre practices in foreign countries then this is the publication for you. With each issue I find myself drinking from a fountain of useless knowledge that dazzles my friends and scares my enemies. Need a few examples? Honk Kong Hardcore, an in depth and extensive article on the hard-core porn industry. Roller Coaster Guinea Pigs, more information than you will EVER need to know about coasters in the U.S. and abroad. For Arts Sake, a bloody gruesome look at shock art.
The writing may be a bit confusing to some people since a majority of the writers are English. A friend of mine said “Don’t they teach vocabulary in school over there”, making the reference to the spelling of rumour / rumor, colour / color, favourite / favorite. Sorry, we spell things a little better, just think of us as the people who love the letter “u. Contrary to popular belief, people from the U.K. do have a sense of humor. This magazine spares no one when it comes to remarks, tales and rumours.
It is a refreshing yet demented twist to see articles such as the Columbine incident reviewed from the U.K. perspective. Handguns are few and far between in the U.K. and if you do happen to own one you dare not pull it out in sight of anyone. Imagine my shock when I saw a huge billboard reading “GUN SHOW THIS WEEKEND”. Reading the article about Columbine it was easy to see that people in the U.K. just don’t understand how easy guns can be purchased let alone how many children have access to them.
The amount of sexual content is minimal; there are no full nude shots and no acts of sexual intercourse. There are the usual advice columns and reader questions that can get a bit racy but it’s nothing worse than “How to Have a Better Orgasm” in a recent Cosmopolitan magazine.
World Wide Weird is a side bar continuum of stories from around the world. It usually runs on six to seven pages and highlights the most bizarre events and occurrences. You’ll find fast food murders, a man killed for refusing to get off his cellular phone, a women with seven nipples (all fully functional I might add), a South African man who proudly proclaims his virginity… at the age of 112. This and more can all be found in the World Wide Weird section. Use any of these stories at parties and you are sure to be a hit.
A subscription to Bizarre can set you back as much as $70.00 dollars. Between the cost of the magazine itself, the shipping charges, the dollar to pound conversion and any taxes between here and there… I would have to say it is better off to purchase it at the newsstand. The cover price for it is $4.95 but that is a small price to pay for so much information. What they don’t tell you is that there are several covers printed for Bizarre, one for the U.S.A., China, the U.K. and several for Germany. Each has that countries dollar / currency price clearly stated on it. Too many brain dead people argued over the price of the U.K. pound verses the U.S. dollar. Prices in Canada are slightly higher and the highest one is for Australia (sorry naturalhigh).
Every month there are at least 30 candid and sometime revolting photos that are uncensored and have detailed captions. Some of the most memorable are a car bombing, transgender surgeries, soccer match fights and others too controversial to mention here. A word of warning, the photos can be shocking and vulgar and if you do not have a strong stomach then you may want to pass on this magazine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. This is one of the main reasons the magazine comes sealed.
In the back of Bizarre you’ll find advertisements from the U.K. market. Some you’ll find are air pistols, condoms, hemp, fireworks, phone sex, magick and body piercing kits. Some are not available for shipment to the U.S.A. so if you see something interesting it is best to call, fax or email the company before you set out on the task of ordering, converting dollars to pounds and sending it off at the post office via registered mail.
From time to time Bizarre offers pull out inserts. These range from actual death photos to serial killer profiles and histories. The pictures are shocking and thought provoking and reinforce the meaning of freedom of speech. While I wouldn’t have them out on the coffee table when company stops by they are a must see.
All in all I have no trouble kicking up the $4.95 price for this magazine. The outstanding articles, reports and coverage make this one to check out on a regular basis. They also have an extensive music section that covers hard-core, punk, ska and rock. Chances are you’ll read about a band here before any mainstream mags picks up on them. You can request a free cassette or CD from most of the bands as well, providing you pay postage.
If you are a fan of gothic, dark, bizarre, horror or shock then you owe it to yourself to give Bizarre a try. I personally guarantee your complete satisfaction or your money back. I don’t offer this guarantee often so why not take me up on the offer.
Two freaky thumbs way up in the air for Bizarre!
Tidbits
Published: Monthly
Usual Size: 100 pages
Stock: Glossy
Shock Level: 10 (out of a possible 10)
Promotional Items: For UK subscribers: 2 ounce bottle of Sebor Absinth
Promotional Items: For all other countries and people under the age of 18, Hairy Woman Pen, Mouse Mat or Swingers Guide.
Recommended:
Yes
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