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‘To whit: to woo. To wit: too right. Sorry, as ever I amusingly digress in such a marked and elegant fashion that most other writers would consider prize-winning narrative pertinence.’ – Hector G
One of a collection of exciting new magazine titles available at David Krut Publishing & Bookstores, The Illustrated Ape: The Heavenly Issue is an irreverent celebration of pop culture.

Occupying a fascinating spot between the music and print industries, this little publication is a collection of contributions from both doyens and emerging artists on the international music scene. The magazine comprises a mish-mash of articles, opinion pieces, dislocated gatherings of thoughts, song lyrics, posters and bits of fiction. This concoction of interesting elements is presented in a larger-than-usual format of glossy pages designed with the most colourful funfair lollipop in mind.

Articles include a tribute by Jim Anderson and Phil Jupitus to the ‘late, lamented loon’, Vivian Stanshall. Also, in ‘Higher Than the Sun’, Des Penny remembers Paul Cannell, described by James Brown as ‘one the most exciting young artists in Britain’ responsible for the cover designs of various famous artists’ albums, such as the Manic Street Preacher’s You Love Us. This article is satisfyingly followed by full page reproductions of the gorgeous images in question. In ‘Something Begging with M’ Kevin Pearce takes an in-depth look at ‘functional, immaculate, precise, pure’ imagery belonging to the mods of the late 1950s.

In more unorthodox pieces of writing, Cornelius asks questions, such as ‘How would you recreate convincingly the sound of a sea monster being sick?’ and Al Murphy conjures up illustrated versions of ‘Celebrity Death Match…Fabulous Deaths of the Beautiful People’.

Also in this issue can be found original lyric pages of Nicky Wire, and horoscopes from Russell Troper, the ‘interplanetary Aquarian Star-Daddy’. This 25th issue of The Illustrated Ape is a treasure trove of quirky thoughts, deeply entrenched in pop culture. A feast of linguistic gymnastics, this issue provides a real work-out for the playful side of the creative brain.

Keywords: Design, International, Magazine, music