Born and bred in Detroit, the rock magazine Creem’s heyday lasted just twenty years, but they were the deeply irreverent publication that likely coined the phrases “punk rock” and heavy metal.” What’s more, Creem was blessed with a murderer’s row of writing talent, with folks like Lester Bangs, Jaan Uhelszki, Cameron Crowe, Robert Christgau, Richard Meltzer, Greil Marcus, Patti Smith, Sylvie Simmons, and Penny Valentine all contributing. And yes, that adorable but “freaky little milk bottle mascot,” Boy Howdy, was dreamed up by R. Crumb.

While Creem folded in 1989 and changed hands and editorial direction several times, it officially relaunched in 2022 as a gorgeously printed quarterly magazine. This beautifully rendered throwback doesn’t feel the least bit dusty and is a joy to hold in your hands.