Taboo was a pornographic magazine published monthly from 1980 until it folded in 2004. The magazine covered all things related to sex including fetishism, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender, and BDSM. While most of the mainstream adult publications such as Penthouse and Playboy quickly transitioned to digital platforms during the internet boom in the early 20000s, Taboo continued publishing solely in print until its closure. This made them culturally relevant for the generation that grew up without ever reading their online counterpart, leading to an increase in collectible value. Since then, they have been out of circulation making physical copies rare and unique collectibles today.
Although other publications similar to Taboo were also printed around the same time like Hustler, Juggs, Cheri, Oui, Gallery, Fox, High Society, and Velvet, none of these magazines lasted long enough to go through a full digital transformation before their closure. This could be due to the popularity of free pornography on the web or simply a lack of interest in traditional print media by millennials and Gen Z readers. However, even if they did not transition fully to digital, many of these publications still maintained a strong digital presence via their website with some featuring archived issues or exclusive content. But Taboo never had a digital counterpart at all, leaving the magazine almost completely absent from modern pop culture except for those who actively seek out rare memorabilia or nostalgic items. In this article we will look at why Taboo's transition to digital was never fully realized, what it means for its legacy, and how its culturally preserved status is affecting its collectability.
Taboo started life as a spin-off of another publication called The Screw which itself was known for being risque and controversial. It began in 1973 when founder Bob Guccione wanted to create a men's magazine focused solely on sex, but one that would not feature nudity. He thought that this would help to distance himself from Penthouse magazine, which he had founded earlier in his career, while maintaining the level of explicitness that readers expected from him. After just two years, though, The Screw folded and Guccione shifted his focus entirely onto Penthouse. By 1980, however, he decided to return to the sexual themes with a new magazine called "The Guccione Magazine," which would later become Taboo. The first issue featured Marilyn Chambers, an adult film actress who was well-known for her work in Behind the Green Door (1972) and Insatiable (1980).
In the early days of Taboo, Guccione used a similar model to that of Playboy by including short stories and interviews alongside photographs of nude models, although unlike Playboy, Taboo did not shy away from depictions of heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender relationships as well as bondage, domination, sadism and masochism. This made it unique among other publications at the time, especially since pornography was still considered taboo by many people. In fact, several mainstream companies refused to advertise in the magazine due to its content.
Although there were some controversies surrounding the publication—such as allegations that models were being pressured into performing certain acts or that some photoshoots included minors—Guccione was able to keep it going until 2004 when it finally closed down after a series of lawsuits related to tax evasion and fraud charges. Even so, Taboo had a large impact on pop culture during its run; it inspired movies like Showgirls (1995), TV shows like Wild On! (1997–2003), and even video games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004). However, because it never transitioned fully to digital platforms before closing down, it is hard to find online copies of the magazine today except through resellers or private collectors.