It was 1974. Jim Atkinson and Wick Allison had recently graduated from the University of Texas and were inspired to communicate with Dallas via an independent city magazine. They worked late into the evening as Allison attended graduate school, developing story ideas and reaching out to local businesspeople for financial backing. After they connected with Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus fame, the retailer recommended D magazine to his 200,000 cardholders. Demand shot up instantly, and they hadn't even printed the first issue.

As the candid editorial content and assertive tone of D magazine gained attention, it also attracted heavy criticism. Atkinson and Allison relied on honest journalistic methods to inspire and provoke their readers. And though the editorial team's commitment to addressing controversial issues soon drove away less-than-stalwart sponsors, the magazine continued to gain support from its readers. After relocating to New York and founding Art & Antiques—the world's largest circulated art and antiques magazine thanks to its subscriber base and the 72-point font text used in every article—Allison returned to D magazine in 1995 to continue delving into the rich culture of Dallas and Fort Worth.

Today,D Magazine focuses on the best that Dallas has to offer, from hot new restaurants and the best suburbs to buy a home, to nightlife activities and business news. Their "Best of Big D" feature highlights top-rated local businesses in categories as diverse as "Best Designer-Label Clothing" and "Best Theater".