The fifth issue of Shirtlifter contains the last few chapters of MacIsaac's "Unpacking," a bears-in-love story where a curmudgeonly (and built) romantic shakes off his past to get a firm grip on the present. This isn't stingy with the hot beefcake sex -- but there's also no shortage of top-notch dramedy, as well as some pretty pithy investigations into what it means to be a man inhabiting that smoky, dangerous no-man's-land between "straight" and "gay." The combination is moving, and paints a rather full and lovable study of one man's search for love and the perfect buzzcut. You'll laugh & cry, even if ursine bulges aren't your bag.

Also includes an intermission of guest strips from Jon Macy and Eric Kostiuk Williams. ~GS