Playboy July 2008

FEATURES 50 RELIGION 101 Many scoff at the idea of UFOs and snicker at paranormal phenomena, but few question the wacky tenets of religion. Confirmed cynic BILL MAHER tours some of the holiest places on earth in a futile quest to find out why people cling to religion. 60 BIFF! BLAM! SOCKO! KA-POW! Holy superhero cinema, Batman! This summer more comic-book characters are fighting their way from the printed page to big-screen adventures. We look at The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Wanted and The Dark Knight and explain why the movies' old-school heroes are more relevant than ever. 64 THE PLAYBOY BAR: TEQUILA Tequila, the preferred liquor of rock stars and rowdy rebels, is soaked in history but saddled with a bad reputation. We go to the root of the agave plant and toast the many uses of Mexico's finest, from tasty margaritas to even tastier body shots. 70 HOT STUFF Sweat it out with the hottest new sex position, the best outdoor rock festivals and everything else that will make this summer sizzle. 88 THE SHAMELESS LIFE AND SENSATIONAL DEATH OF THE SLEAZIEST MAN IN HOLLYWOOD David Hans Schmidt—the man who became infamous for hawking scandalous celebrity pictures and films of people like Paris Hilton and Tonya Harding-not only came to embody American degradation, he seemed to delight in it. DAN HALPERN takes stock of the Sultan of Sleaze and all his flaws, including Schmidt's distorted view of himself as a victim. FICTION 94 NOBODY MOVE In this first of four installments of a gritty modern noir by Tree of Smoke author DENIS JOHNSON, a barbershop-chorus singer up to his neck in debt desperately dodges his bookie's collector. While on the lam, the harmonizer connects with a sexy fractured goddess who knows a move or two herself. THE PLAYBOY FORUM 39 A BETTER.WAY TO DO BUSINESS Greed has been a fixture of American capitalism, but does it have to be? JIM HIGHTOWER and SUSAN DEMARCO spotlight the mavericks heading businesses that embody progressive values and help restore to our society the ethic of the common good. 20Q 100 LEWIS BLACK When it comes to on-target ranting and raving, few work up an audience like Lewis Black. JASON BUHRMESTER encourages America's angriest comic to vent about losing his virginity and his hilarious TV show Lewis Black's Root of All Evil. INTERVIEW 45 DR. DREW PINSKY Between Loveline and VH1's Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, Dr. Drew Pinsky has become our go-to authority on sex, drugs and celebrity train wrecks. We trade chairs with the sound-advice giver and pick his brain about important topics such as the origins of addiction, the perils of anal sex and what is likely going on inside the screwy skulls of Tom Cruise, Britney Spears, Mel Gibson and others. By DAVID HOCHMAN COVER STORY Sexy Cindy Margolis is a cougar ready to roar for her second nude pictorial and cover by Senior Contributing Photographer Stephen Wayda. The Internet's most downloaded hot mama is newly single and looking for male companionship. That's why we're offering you a chance to win a date with Cindy. Our Rabbit strikes gold while exploring a sun-kissed valley. PICTORIALS 54 CYBER GIRL 2008: ACCESS GRANTED This year's collection of Internet beauties has serious byte. 66 MONROE & MORAN These playful photos and illustrations by Earl Moran of a very young Norma Jean demonstrate why Marilyn is still America's feminine ideal. 76 PLAYMATE: LAURA CROFT Forget the video-game heroine— Miss July is fully drawn and wired for adventure. 102 CINDY STEPS OUT For her second nude PLAYBOY pictorial, Cindy Margolis busts out beautifully in a cabana. NOTES AND NEWS 9 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY Hef and 25 Playmates celebrate Playboy TV's quarter century of broadcasting the Bunny; cute caddies burn up the links at the Playboy Golf Scramble. 10 HANGIN' WITH HEF Join the Man as he heads for the hills, hunts for Easter eggs and hold on to your hat throws a party. 131 PLAYMATE NEWS Three-time cover model Candace Collins dresses Chicago's elite; Playmates' daughters support evidence of newly discovered sexy gene. DEPARTMENTS 3 PLAYBILL 11 DEAR PLAYBOY 15 AFTER HOURS 23 REVIEWS 31 MANTRACK 37 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 86 PARTY JOKES 119 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 138 GRAPEVINE FASHION 92 NICE GUY EDDIE Comedian Eddie Izzard shares his screw-you fashion philosophy: Brack is the new black. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIC 98 ACROSS THE BOARD Skin is always in at the shore. We show you the lotions and products that will protect your dermis, as well as the hottest beachwear and accessories of the summer. Just add water. THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM MAGAZINE BLOG News, views and inside perspectives from PLAYBOY editors. playboy.com/blog THE DRIVE TO 55 Find all the info you need about how to try out to be our 55th Anniversary Playmate. playboy.com/playmates FASHION FIRST Check out weekly Fashion Alerts in our new Style section. playboy.com/style THE 21ST QUESTION One more blast of dark humor from Lewis Black. playboy.com/21q MOOD MUSIC Celebs, Playmates and Cyber Girls chime in about their favorite bedroom tunes. playboy .com/lovesongs