The BEAR is back! Iconic BEAR Magazine to return to print after 15 years away
We’re excited to reveal that BEAR, the iconic magazine that defined a generation of rugged, furry masculinity, is returning to print this September after 15 years away. Pre-orders open at the end of August, giving fans the chance to reserve the first issue and take out subscriptions at the lowest prices they’ll ever be offered. The new quarterly BEAR will be available to buy online, at major bear events and in limited retail stores.
The original Bear Magazine was founded in 1987 in San Francisco by partners Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson, and quickly became a defining visual and cultural touchstone for a then-fringe corner of queer life — an aesthetic that still shapes bear culture globally today. After ceasing publication in 2002, the title was revived in 2008 for a further two years in print before moving online in the 2010s, eventually fading out altogether and leaving a bear-shaped hole in the global community.
In 2024, ownership passed to Richard Jones, an experienced LGBTQ+ media publisher who had also founded and published the hugely successful Bear World Magazine – an online lifestyle publication for the Bear community. He quickly began formulating plans for a triumphant return for the magazine and in the interim launched a website to begin to ensure the iconic brand was not lost to time completely.
Now, after nearly two years of work and refinement, building a team of photographers, writers and designers, Richard is ready to bring back the iconic title – BEAR is a lovingly reimagined version of the classic Bear Magazine, bringing over the classic features including beautifully shot beefy models, sexy stories and even the classic personal ads, reimagined for a new age. Fans of the original Bear Magazine will be able to clearly see the lineage in the new BEAR, while newcomers to the title will experience a magazine fit for the 21st Century.
Richard Jones, publisher and editor of BEAR, said: “It’s truly an honor to be the latest custodian of this iconic brand. We’re at a point where everything is digital, and I think people are craving something physical again — a magazine you can actually hold, keep, put on your coffee table. That’s part of why print felt right for this relaunch, not just nostalgia. Our community has always valued that kind of connection, so it made sense to bring BEAR back in a form people can touch. I can’t wait for bears all around the world to hold a copy in their hands. The BEAR is back!”
Released quarterly, BEAR will be a real collector’s dream – each issue featuring exclusive photography, thoughtful articles, and so much more that will last the test of time. This is not a typical magazine which people read once and throw away, this is a periodical that can be enjoyed over and over again, sitting proudly on a bookshelf or coffee table.
Cementing its return to the center of bear culture, BEAR will be attending all major bear events in the US across 2026 and 2027, providing bears with a way to experience the magazine first hand, purchase copies and even meet the cover stars!
Pre-orders open at the end of August, ahead of the first issue landing in September 2026. Fans will be able to reserve the first issue and take out pre-launch annual subscriptions, both at the lowest prices they will ever be offered, and can also book their own personal ad to share their love with the community. Also launching alongside pre-orders: a limited-edition framed, numbered copy of the first issue cover, available to purchase separately — a genuine collectible marking this moment in bear history.
In the meantime, follow BEAR on all socials for exciting offers and updates ahead of pre-orders opening — including the chance to become a Patron and support the magazine’s return from the very start. Follow BEAR on all socials and sign up for the newsletter: linktr.ee/thebearmag
