In a press release on Friday, BEAR, the magazine that defined a generation of rugged, furry queer culture, is returning to print this September. This will mark the magazine’s first issue after 15 years away. The new quarterly will be available to buy online, at major bear events and in limited retail stores.
Founded in 1987, the original iteration was launched by Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson. If not the first of its kind, certainly the publication that became a touchstone for the bear community. Ending in 2002, a revival was launched in 2008 lasting two years in print before moving completely online in the 2010s. The publication site ultimately went defunct.
In 2024, Richard Jones, LGBTQ+ media publisher and founder of Bear World Magazine, was named the new owner of BEAR.
According to the release, Jones has curated a team of photographers, writers and designers to relaunch BEAR with a reimagined vision of the classic magazine to feature photo layouts, editorial content and even a personal ads section designed for a new age.
“It’s truly an honor to be the latest custodian of this iconic brand,” Jones said in the release. “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.”
In his efforts to bring the magazine to the center of bear culture, BEAR reps will attend all major bear events like Texas Bear Round Up in the U.S. across 2026 and 2027. Event attendees can experience the magazine up close intended specifically for bear types and furry fans.
Jones added, “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!”
Pre-orders open at the end of August, before the inaugural September 2026 issue. Fans and readers can begin their subscriptions and also start to book their own personal ads.
Alongside pre-orders, a limited-edition, framed and numbered copy of the first issue cover will be available to purchase separately. Plus, we love that the cover features a Dallasite who has graced our own pages before, so definitely a collectible around these parts.
To find the magazine’s socials and sign up for its newsletter, click here.
–Rich Lopez