Snakes & Chains - 3

Chains, like snakes, seem to be able to mesmerise men

Chain Play by Dominic Ford

They seem to make them want to undress and feel the metal against their skin .....

Unknown Model by NCB Photography

.....to undo their jeans and let them slide downwards ......

Unknown model by MuscleHunks

.....and even to shed those garments that cloak their most secret desires.

No wonder some accept the invitation to be chained and inducted.

The Master's steel collar and cuffs will tame this muscular lad.
The combo allows him some freedom to move his limbs
but it's a restraint that weighs him down, so he cannot escape
and that helps to ensure he gives his total respect.

His compliance is rewarded with encouraging touches
and looks that give him something to look forward to.  

this image by Tom 'Ropes' McGurk
 (who clearly also knows the dominating power of chains)  

Andrei training at Russian Captured Boys

A good Master will instigate a proper training regime to counteracts the effects of prolonged restraint.
The weight of the chains is beneficial in developing a healthy body and an attractive physique.
It also hinders the subject and reminds him of his chosen role.

A cross country run in chains and fetters develops new skills and muscles
and creates a fleeting, illusion that escape is a possibility if he wants to.

I've always admired this image which I originally found on 'MrS', but I've never been able to find the original picture. I have found equivalent poses, but they don't have the same sense of awkwardness, despair and sheer desirability that this picture seems to convey.

Chastened and resentful

Spirited, younger men may find it hard to adjust to the tough regime.
They may cheek their new Master, like they did their parents.
A tape gag demonstrates they must speak only when allowed to.
It's crude simplicity puts them firmly in their place as novices.
They are not yet qualified for metal-based chastisement.

The cheekiest of novices may find his cheeks parted, by a ride on 'The Wedge'.
His lightness of frame would normally spare him much of the usual discomfort*,

but his bulky irons and chains outweigh and annul that advantage.

He can use his hands for support, but they will soon tire and weaken.

The Master supervises him learning his lesson.
It doesn't usually take very long for the penny to drop. 

(*for more 'Riding the Wedge' images click on the label at the foot of this post) 

unknown model and photographer

 For an older man to submit is harder, even when he's here by choice.

It questions his manhood, though he knows that is the very reason he has been chosen.

The heavy wall chains and thick leather jock with padlock (given him by his Master)
Shows him he is prized and valued - but presently being saved for future enjoyment.
An early release suddenly seems unlikely.



There may be times of deprivation, squalor and much frustrastion ahead.
He must learn the ways expected of him and what he will get in return.



The gifts of new outfits are unexpected and make him feel tearful.
But unknown, new experiences will follow and that makes him fearful.

It was the glamour of total, naked enchainment that lured him,
the embrace of the snake.

The constraint of his newly acquired strength

 is not without struggle and anxieties.

But finally the day comes when he reaches the sweaty pinnacle

Bazz - Snake 16

The day when he stands chained, naked and helpless

presented to the mystical snake!

Please Sir, may I go home now?

Read from Part 1

My thanks to Bazz for his clever snake manips in this article and Part 2
You can see more chain-related imagery at Metalbond

Changes to Yahoo Groups

I have just noticed an announcement posted by Yahoo! at the 'mitchmen' group about major changes.

• It seems they intend to do away with all the information stored at the Group, messages, pictures and files (in December).
• In future it will simply operate as a message sharing service.
• They are also changing the rules for joining the group, new members will have to request an invitation.

They haven't announced a reason for these changes. Obviously they will save money on storing data but I suspect it's intended to get out of any responsibility for who joins and what happens in the groups. 

It's a disappointment for me, the combination of features in 'Groups' - messaging, photo galleries and file sharing - suited me very well. Yahoo seem to have a bizarre policy of buying successful businesses and then deliberately destroying them, ah well!

Needless to say, they haven't notified group owners directly about these changes and the notice is hidden away at the top of the page and is only fleetingly visible as the page loads.

Read the Yahoo! announcement

 

How will this affect mitchmen?

• It looks as if I will be able to continue to use the Group for posting messages and episodes of my stories to members. Providing new members are still able to join easily, I plan to carry on using this feature for the time being. It will be a concern to me if I no longer have the Yahoo age-screening function, but this detail is not clear yet. Obviously moving 4,000 members to a different service and bedding it in is a distraction I'd rather not have. However I suspect the writing is on the wall here and will start looking at alternatives, possibly set up a mirror arrangement. At the moment the only comparable service I am aware of is Google groups. I'd welcome any information about other alternatives, I could use the blog format potentially but don't understand other modern social media well enough to know if/how I can use those channels for messaging and sharing (adult) pictures and files. Suggestions welcome!
  
• Obviously my picture galleries and story PDF's will have to find a new home. I can't say I'm heartbroken about this, it hasn't worked properly since the 'Neo' fiasco, but it will be a pain to move everything. I will probably have to 'attach' them to the mitchmen blog in some way. I can see how I could use Google Photos and Google Drive (for files), but it's that eggs in one basket thing so I'll probably look for a non-Google solution that I can link to the blog. One obvious possibilty for pictures is to expand my Deviant Art presence, since this does have an 'adult' screen.

I'd welcome any suggestions, comments or advice from members


Mitchell
17 Oct 2019

Snakes & Chains - 2

Gary Taylor - Chain Play (Michael Stokes)

 For those of you wondering why I paired snakes with chains for this group of articles, 

this terrific image of Gary Taylor by Michael Stokes should clarify.

This chunky chain winds sinuously round his body just like a huge snake

It projects a similar power to restrain, passive and latent, but no less potent. 

Unknown Model - Chain Play (Michael Stokes)

This man seems more nervous with the heavy links than Mr Taylor.

It's almost as though he senses some malign influence in them.
Listen up young man! I want to tell you something.

 

(This is the same chain, but a different model, I've no ID on him, sorry. 
 See more Michael Stokes' Bondage )

Phil Lambert Chained (WPG)

Men have frolicked with chains since iron was first hammered into useful shapes.

This image of a marvellously submissive Phil Lambert from the 1950's

embodies a secret desire of many men - to be stripped, restrained and dominated.
To be put on show as a prized possession even.

 But the links are only wound loosely round the wrists, this is just chain play.

In the modern age restraining chains have been commoditised
An accessory for sporting muscle offering up their bodies for a month of admiration.
This is just chain play for money.

But after the shoot, safe in his bed that night, did he wonder?
Wonder what it might really be like to be forced to wear a ball and chain?
By a stronger man.

Temptation - Enrico Belaggio and Jack Dragon (by ScaryFuckers)

 For every cute young man who wonders what it would be like 

to be desired by another man so much that he must chain him up,

there are plenty of hunky studs out there, only too willing to oblige.
and the temptations of the snake can be irresistible ........

Braden at Roped Studs

 But once in the Snake's lair, the reality may be bare and stark.

Lonely, uncomfortable and threatening.

Man-Superman by Steel Guy Pictures

Even the biggest, strongest, most handsomest of men 

who drip in the gym with hormones and stuff,
imagining that they have exceptional powers,
basking in their own beauty.....

.....they too can be tempted by the challenge of firm restraint
the thought of chains snaking tightly round their body.
 

Snake20 by Bazz

 The muscle head can exercise dominion,

even over the sneaky snake, in his fantasies.......

....but in the real world he finds that his raw strength is no use.

His power is nullified - once he's in the grip of inflexible metal.

And for every curious slave there has to be a slave master to serve.

His rippling, gleaming muscles may make him look amazingly masculine,

but you don't really know what's in his head until you are helpless in his fetters.

Remorseful Captive in Chains

The naked reality of bare, cold steel may be rather different to the fantasy!
But by then it's too late for regrets!

More in Part 3

Read Part 1

Snakes & Chains - 1

Frank Fazetta - Snake Attack

 I have long admired this image by Frank Fazetta depicting a fantasy hero being attacked by a giant snake. The glimpse of warrior's torso caught between the snake's crushing coils is quite stunning - and unusually homoerotic for a genre that is usually relentlessly 'proper' and heterosexual in style (although Frazetta's heroes do often sport skimpy, bulging loincloths).

This picture is technically imperfect in places but there's a great sense of strength pitted against strength and of desperate struggle. The human body seems to merge with that of the reptile in places which adds an intriguing extra dimension to the heroes' identity. The shallow water in which the combatants are fighting seems to represent a sort of symbolic 'no-man's land' between their 'home' territories.

Dave Stewart - Snake Grip

This detail from a comic cover is a more modern take on the same theme by Dave Stewart. This is a tentacled creature rather than a snake, but the device of suggesting overwhelming power with a thick body is equally compelling. Again there is a sense of vital struggle with the warrior (Conan?) desperately chopping at his attacker.

The highly detailed muscularity of the warrior's torso makes him less sensual than Frazetta's, but the point of attack is even more erotic in it's way, focused on the warrior's very manhood instead of his upper body. The glimpse of loincloth actually draws attention to this and there's a sense of him being slowly devoured despite being free to wield his sword. The severed tentacle is a classic Freudian symbol of emasculation, illustrating perhaps that the heroes chopping puts himself at risk too! A white substance oozing from it seems to have attached itself to the swordsman's torso, no comment!

Devil Snake

In this marvellous magazine cover from the 50's, the snake is subtly transformed from assassin to abductor. The bulky, multiple coils seem to signify inescapable bondage rather than fatal squeeze, although this poor victim is still intended to end up as dinner ultimately. Unlike the warriors, he seems exhausted by the struggle. The role of resistance is transferred to his companion, who energetically fulfils it. Notice how the vigour of his paddle sweep seems to be reflected in the line of the victim's body and outstretched arm. A second snake lurks nearby, but sadly we can only speculate what it might want to do with the man in a Tee shirt.

 The loop of snake around the victim's neck is a particularly effective 'threat' device. It can be read as a noose or a collar, which in hindsight seems an unfortunate adjunct to the undercurrent of racial stereotyping in this image which probably passed unnoticed at the time. Common sense tells you that if this were to be a real event, it would probably be the local man who do the rescuing and he might even be clothed! (In making this statement, I am of course assuming that this setting is in the tropics, not the Home Counties).

With their half naked bodies and torn clothing, these butch magazine covers are naturally, but not necessarily intentionally, homoerotic. There's an interesting juxtaposition of crotch and knee in the middle of the canoe but I hesitate to imply that it was intended to be suggestive!

Laocoön and His Sons

Laocoön is the classic snake attack image of course and I have referenced it here before in relation to the adaptation by Priapus, which sensibly focuses on the non-controversial central figure. Legends attribute snakes with surprising and varied powers to destroy humans and this is one of the most astonishing. They also manifest this destiny in other stories - in Genesis and the story of Cleopatra, for example.

Felix Falkon - Laoccon

Laocoön is not without awkward carnal elements but this irreverent re-imagining of by Falkon attribute such motives to the predatory snakes more directly. Falkon often flirted with disturbing life and death subjects with an almost childlike innocence and naivety.

Asphalt Jungle - Adam Carville Adventures (detail)

This is another Laocoön-like study but the snakes here are smaller and depicted more as a distraction and nuisance than a genuine threat. The man's pose is relaxed, static and passive, at the opposite end of the scale from Fazetta's image. This is a detail of a larger picture and I've included it mainly for the fascinating clothing detail, which could be made highly erotic with a more energetic treatment. The big boots, white, torn vest and soldierly belts and buckles all have the power to thrill when set against muscular flesh. Most of all the sexy shorts which have somehow been opened by the snakes here, primarily it seems to obtain a purchase for a strike further up. Of course a bulkier snake would have to forgo the pleasure of cock entwinement altogether.

Jotto - Jungle Boy and Tne Snake Gods

Jotto elevates his snake to god-like status, enjoying the luxury of his followers providing him with a steady supply of humans to consume. The Jungle Boy is securely bound and unable to defend himself, while the ball and chain attached to his nether regions prevents flight. He stands his ground as the snake snuggles up close, it's flickering tongue appearing to be quite amorous, but the evil eyes and sharp fangs suggest different intentions.

Jotto captures the snake's strength and menace nicely, with a clever hint of erotic contact between the legs. Jungle boy's rigid stance seems to suggest he's been taken by surprise or else the snake has mesmerised him (another sneaky characteristic often attributed to these maligned creatures).

Kalabro - Cody and the Serpent

I prefer Kalbro's take on this scene. It's essentially the same scenario, but Cody here strives manfully against his restraints as the snake wraps menacingly around his throat, seeming to gloat as it does so. You get a better sense here that the captive might have tried hard to escape this fate by pulling against his chain and ball(s). This snake seems to be the embodiment of evil, but, nevertheless the artist suggests with it's poised head the slight possibility that it's intentions may be carnal rather than murderous. Kalabro's stylised rendering of Cody's well muscled, shaved body is unexpectedly erotic.

Kalabro and Jotto often work together and that collaboration is obvious in these two pictures,
Kalabro usually provides the figures and Jotto the colour and background. 

Patrick Fillion - Camili Cat and the Snake

 Another sacrificial image. This is a variant of a rather better picture, also by Fillion, called 'fairy boy' (yes fairy!) which I included in my earlier A-Z article on him. His snake is rather dragon-like and, like Falkon and Jotto, he attributes human characteristics of malevolence and lust to it. The sense of it having great physical power is undiminished but it appears to be eyeing up Camili's stressed underwear rather than contemplating a sensual, fatal embrace.

Heerdink - Laocoon

Heerdink's 'Laocoon' seems to focus firmly on the snake's strength and sensuality.

The captive seems to resist rather than struggle, it's hard to say whether it's in fear or ecstasy.

The dream-like, 'floating' pose is improbable, but skillfully accentuates all of these elements. 

This inward looking flavour is accomplished by simply not showing the snake's head,

which means that there's no suggestion of it's motivation or intent, it just is.

You also get the sense that this scene is not a myth or legend but real, here and now.

The human's nudity (and implied vulnerability) seems more striking, more significant

than in the other pieces we have seen, lending the image a subtle eroticism.  

(Heerdink keeps within decent bounds by avoiding any funny business between the legs).  

Player - Serpent

Finally, two images from the hugely talented Steven Player, who tackles the issue of snake sensuality from the other end, as it were. This man is the most attractive portrayal we have seen in this group of pictures. His night visitor seems to be completely benign, there's no crushing or squeezing, just the loosest of entwinements and a probing tail. This invasion is perhaps the least credible, snakely capability covered in this article, but the recipient clearly isn't complaining so why should I? The title here is mine, I'm guessing Player has the seductive serpent in mind here rather than the aggressive snake.

Player - Snake

 This chunky chap is a typical Player, 'skinhead' tough-guy. It's fitting then to pitch him against a snake of daunting bodily proportions. It's already got a grip on his torso and one leg, but you feel that he's tough enough for this challenge, indeed he seems more puzzled than threatened by it.


Perhaps he's seen the message on the snake's body and is figuring out how to deal with it. He will have noticed that the snake's tail is already making inroads into him, but how does one reciprocate? The answer that appears to be staring him in the face would challenge the hardest of 'skins'.


The snake's anatomy is a puzzle in itself - a big, muscular body, topped off by a tiny head.
Is it's tail actually entering the skin's backside or is the phallic presence coming out of it?
Some might say that's a wry comment on masculinity itself. 
In this picture Player illustrates the inherent contradiction of the snake in erotic imagery.
It's a phallic symbol with great powers of seduction, domination and sensuality
but in the final analysis it's incapable of performing as a phallus.
.

If you like mild, snake fantasies, there's an intriguing new picture story 

by Priapus of Milet at Telemachus entitled 'Band of Brothers'

Mitchell's Fetish Art for October - The Swimming Team

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

mitchmen's war No15 - The Batman No 3 - The Aussie Driver

1. AUSSIE GUNNERS

 This picture of a an Australian gunnery team in action presses an number of buttons for me.

The bare torsos of course, but also the shorts and the chunky legs in rugby-style socks.

The abundance of muscles, hairy chests and even nipples is quite unusual for this genre.

I have added colour to these images to bring out those attractive features 

(and edited out some gratuitous racism from the text).

The blond character in the foreground is a male stereotype of a by-gone age, 

but the two characters behind him seem more contemporary, they are nicely drawn
 with some sexy body grooves dissappearing into their shorts.

I'd say this artist likes men.

(On a historical note, some Brits might be surprised to learn that
the Aussies also suffered aerial attacks on their home soil during WWII)

2.

 The shorts shown in this image are closer to the regulation length and a lot less interesting!

In the story 'Davis' is a Brit who has been assigned to this Australian outfit, thus setting the scene for a classic 'outsider' story. This gains extra spice from the fierce rivalry between Brits and Aussies, which has been nourished by over 100 years of encounters in sports where both lay claim to being 'Top Dog'.

As I write this England and Australia have just shared the spoils in 'The Ashes' cricket series
and are about to contest the Rugby World Cup. 

3.

 The attackers do return and take the Aussie defenders by surprise.

Davis (in the trench) sees a driver caught out in the open.

These two frames have a clever yin-yang interlock at a number of levels. Visually it portrays the looping swoop of the attacking aircraft very well. A modern artist would probably blend the frames together more but this old school method is equally effective. The right hand frame is also a little gem in the way it catches the menace of the attacker and the vulnerability of the fleeing driver. We can see he has been hit in the back, adding a twist of pathos.

The inclusion of Davis in the foreground shows him as a brave man but rather foolhardy in these circumstances. He rises with arms spread for balance but it creates something of a 'rescuing angel' effect. There's a hint of homo-eroticism in the way these two are shown running towards each other, almost like lovers who are being re-united.

4.

 This touchy-feely image does not entirely dispell that impression!
Continuity nerds will find fertile ground for comment in this group of images. 

5.

Here Davis seems to be nestling next to the soldier protectively, 

and his chin appears to be resting on the Aussie's hairy chest
Are his eyes closed or is he peeking?
We can only imagine where his right hand is!

Note an actual nipple and a rivulet of sweat breaking the modesty rules,
an unmistakeably homoerotic image. 

6.

The drawing technique falters in this image and I have slightly altered the soldier's face to make it look better, Davis touches the soldier's head, but he's surprisingly tender. His face is a model of concern for the serviceman, but his eye-line sees to be directed at those generous pecs (properly minus nipples this time).

The bottom half of the soldiers body is constrained by the 'portrait' oriented frame here but the artist has shoe-horned in a sexy upraised left thigh on the far side - and very short shorts.
In the lower foreground that's not his right thigh you can see, but his raised right knee.
It's obscuring the crotch area (and maybe that's just as well).

7.

In the story, Davis is hurt by the Aussie's reminder that he is still an outsider

and the rejection of his genuine concern for the injured man.

Nevertheless, he chucks the man affectionately under the chin like an unrequited lover.  

From the expression on his face, the fallen soldier doesn't seem to mind.

Unfortunately the stretcher bearers interrupt them at this little intimate moment. 

The artist supplies another nice rendering of the Aussie's physique 

with ample muscular definition but a slender build. 

Nice shorts too, with just the tiniest hint of a bulge!

8.

The CO admonishes Davis for his foolhardy behaviour and life/war goes on.

~

As is my wont, I imagined a different outcome to this scene

in which the swirling homoerotic undercurrents gain a fuller expression.

In my version images 1-5 tell the same story with the same suspected gay twist.

There's a new picture 6 (below)

It's love/lust at first sight for the two men 

(and no, for you sceptics, the Aussie isn't concussed!

- but his wounds have miraculously healed.)

Davis is glad that zips haven't been invented yet.

7. New Version

As you might expect, the Aussie is taken by surprise by the offer.

Why would this Officer want him as a servant?

Australian blokes don't do service, especially for Poms.

But on the other hand, he is attracted to the man,

and it might turn out to be a cushy billet, 

safer than driving mobile targets for enemy aircraft anyway!

8. New Version (click to read the smaller, trouser text)

Davis' casual, hands in pocket pose takes on an explicit meaning
You'll gather the Aussie driver said 'yes', well 'maybe' at least.
We wish him a speedy recovery!

These images are taken from War Picture Library No 1696 'The Darkest Hour'
(I also used this cover image in a previous post No 7 Flashing The Flesh)

 I can't say if this is the same artist, but you can see a similar appreciation of men.

As this cover image suggests, Davis ends up in the jungle later on
 and there's more bare flesh action when he comes to the rescue of another man
who is captured and being tortured by the enemy.
(bit of a pattern here!)

Go to No16 War Comics post
For other 'War Comic' inspired posts click on the label below
Other 'batman' posts No 1, No 2