by Alicia Slansky

Created on: March 07, 2009

Maxim magazine could quite possibly be considered the most well-rounded men's publication of it's time. This all encompassing guide to manhood and flirt with boyhood past, is a great read on a humorous as well as mentally stimulating level!

Who reads it?

The primary reader for this mag is a young gentleman, but chicks are known to dig it for the humor and slanted perception that Maxim gives to young men. This rag mag is full of photos of young ladies wearing very little clothing. Many women will find it offensive, but those who can look past the pictures will find much more substance to the publication than just smutty visuals. Target audience is young, professional men from the ages of 21 to 35 years old.

What does it cost?

Published once a month, Maxim will cost you $4.99 at the newsstand. You can purchase subscription and have it delivered for about $15 a year, or $20 for 2 years. You may be able to secure a better subscription deal through a direct marketing firm or your mag guy. Those prices come off the cards in every issue you can snag when leafing through a copy at your buddy's house.

What's in it?

Aside from the tons of girlie photos previously mentioned, this magazine is full of all kinds of information. Each issue is a bit different and keeps up with the times quite well. There are always articles regarding true crime, real life drama, political stories and debates, sports articles, celebrity interviews, cars topics, professional interest pieces, you name it! The difference in each monthly issue leads to an intriguing feeling of wonder when you start to read. There's always something to quench every appetite, ranging from the crude and deranged male attitude, to the business man who needs a little brain stimulation.

Each issue does have several monthly columns. There are always "The Funnies" full of crude jokes and bathroom humor. "How To" illustrations show men how to take part in sometimes quite ridiculous behavior like winning a demolition derby or fighting in a duel. Other times, the column shows hysterical illustrations of things men need to know like how to seduce a woman and how to beat credit card debt.

Other monthly columns are "Ask Dr. Maxim" where men write in with questions that they are too afraid to ask their own doctors and "Top Gear" showcasing the latest in male fashion trends. You'll always find practical advice columns, sports articles, and the latest video games, movies and music releases reviewed. Often, the reviews will bring to light very new music that others have not dared listen to yet! Look forward to health and fitness information, sex Q & A, celebrity interviews and much, much more!

Overall Feel

Maxim does not leave one with an overwhelming sense of fraternity house humor, although at times it bares that aroma You will find the feeling to be very "cool guy chic", representing the professional man who is still, at heart, a little boy who loves to laugh at farts. Give a man his girlie pics, some sports updates, video game reviews and the advice that he would never go in search of and you really do have the perfect men's magazine!

Anything unpleasant?

As with any magazine in today's world, there are tons of ads, many of which are not exactly relevant to the target audience. A few too many cologne samples will dissuade some from opening the pages, but most men will tolerate that sensory overload if it gets them closer to the photos and crude jokes that also lie within.

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