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The NewPages Zine RackReviews by Sean StewartNumber Eight (Posted Oct 15, 2002)Summer 2002 Number 5 “Junior” Named “Junior” because it was created mainly during the editor’s junior year of high school, and because it is the proto-type to a larger art project. The well-reproduced watercolor drawings on the front and back covers of this comic stand out and immediately got my attention. Inside are a few shorter comix and a longer comic saga that takes up the bulk of the issue. They are all well drawn and entertaining. At first, I thought the longer story seemed like it could be autobiographical, but some things happen in it that sort of changed my mind. You’ll just have to read it to find out why! [5.5” x 8.5”, $3 to: Jack Turnbull, 162 Topsfield Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938 , flycomix@minorthreat.com].
2002 Number 1 Beginning and still continuing as a website, Friction has also now moved into print with the first of their annually published perfect bound books. While definitely not zine-like in its appearance, Friction represents a valuable contribution to the independent press scene. Providing commentary and investigative articles on politics, culture, music, art, and literature might seem like an unmanageable feat, but Friction seems to be pulling it off so far. This first print collection contains fiction, political commentary, interviews, and answers to the “Not Your Average Rock Star Quiz” from various underground musicians interspersed throughout. Friction is a solid and informative read for those looking for something slicker than the average cut-and-pasted zine. [6 ¾” x 9”, $9 ppd. (for 160 pages), check or money order to: Friction Magazine, 227 Luedella Ct., Akron, OH 44310 , also available online at www.MonkeyBubbleMedia.com, info@frictionmagazine.com].
May 2002 Garlic is the first of a new comix anthology celebrating a different food item with each issue. Being a big fan of garlic myself, and actually having received some in the mail today that I’m going to plant in my yard, I feel that I can wholeheartedly give my stamp of approval to this comix collection. Folks like Missy Kulik, Dave Kiersh, Souther Salazar, John Porcellino, and many more all contribute stories centering on garlic. This is an excellent collection and I look forward to seeing the next issue on tea, which is another food (drink?) item that I’m quite fond of. [7” x 8.5”, $4 to: Sean Duncan, PO Box 1226, Bowling Green, OH 43402, foodcomic@yahoo.com, wiseanduncanny.com/food].
23rd March 2002 My only gripe about this zine is the tiny printing. However, it does probably make it quite cheap to send to people, so I can see the up side to it. Each issue of Vanessa’s zine (I’ve seen two) appears to be a detailed description of one day in her life. In this issue, we travel with her as she somewhat distractedly goes about her Saturday business, which included a bit of laundry and a bus ride into the city so she could turn in an entry to win a $5000 shopping spree at IKEA. Later she goes to the beach. This is one of those zines that would be immensely boring if the writer did not possess that rare talent of being able to effectively transfer personality and thought processes onto a page. Vanessa’s day wasn’t very exciting, but the way she describes it provides the kind of insight into who she is that makes reading personal zines so addictive. It’s also nice to read a zine from somewhere other than the boring old United States! [5.5” x 8.5”, $1-2 (?) to: Vanessa, PO Box 1879, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia, ohowodd@tig.com.au].
Sept. 2002 Number 8 Low Hug is a neatly organized and thoughtfully produced zine, and I have grown to truly appreciate these characteristics in a zine. A.j. and her contributors have assembled a fine issue here, with incisive commentary on such diverse examples of popular culture as Ghost World, Ozzfest 2002, and clothes dryers. The “Media Junkies” column this time around includes A.j.’s well-written reviews of a diverse assortment of zines and comix. A.j. also provides a report on this summer’s 4th Annual Underground Publishing Conference, where I got a chance to meet her for the first time. Always involved in a variety of zine-related projects, A.j. also frequently puts out one-shot compilation zines. If you’d like to contribute, drop her a line and see what she has in the works. [5.5” x 8.5”, $3 to: A.j. Michel, PO Box 2574, Champaign, IL 61825, lowhug@yahoo.com].
Number 28 10th Anniversary Issue D. Price has published this illustrated journal since 1992, and he has it down to a fine artistic science (if that makes any sense). The Chronicles feature tales of striving to live simply and cheaply. D.’s family lives in what many people would probably see as a nontraditional manner. This journal is not an exposé; only the details D. wants to share are included, and he is careful to only say so much. Mixed in with his writing and drawings are quotes and passages taken from authors who D. presumably admires for their beliefs. I have to admit that, while this is a thick mini-sized volume (119 pages), I still think it’s kind of pricey at $5. I was happy to receive this and I thought it was an enjoyable read, but I won’t be ordering any back issues at 5 bucks each. [4.25” x 5.5”, $5 to: Hobo Hermitage, Box 109, Joseph , OR 97846 ].
Summer 2002 Number 4 In this issue, John is teaching art at an elementary school in the Bronx . He wants to paint a mural on the handball wall at school, but runs into a lot of bureaucratic crap. It’s a bittersweet story, but I won’t ruin the ending. There are some assorted shorter comix at the end from John and his friends. John’s drawings are both intriguingly distorted and lovable in a bizarre kind of way. I really enjoyed this comic and will be looking for more from John in the future. [7” x 8.5”, $3 to: John Meijas, 60 St. Marks #4, New York, NY 10003, speedymyshka@aol.com].
Sept. 2002 Number 1 Malinda and I met Rosa-Maria (and her sweet daughter Eva) at a Zine Swap in Austin recently, where we traded zines and talked for a while. This is the first issue of her new punk parenting zine, and it rocks! Oh, if only all first issues could be as cohesive and well written as this one. Rosa-Maria and her husband David each contribute their own personal accounts of Eva’s homebirth, Eva meets Mike Patton (of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle fame), Rosa-Maria shares her early breastfeeding tales, and contributors offer up their punk parenting stories. Also included are vegan recipes and a “Punk Parent Resource Page.” Bonus points are awarded for the table of contents! I think Rosa-Maria is trying to put this out quarterly or so, and she’s looking for submissions. Definitely a zine to watch for in the future! [5.5” x 8.5”, $3 ppd. (or $2 + 60 cents in stamps) to: Placenta Zine, c/o Rosa-Maria DiDonato, 4412 Avenue A #204, Austin, TX 78751, placentazine@yahoo.com].
Number 5 The Library Issue I have been waiting somewhat patiently for this to arrive in my mailbox. Well, it was worth the wait, because Jackie has outdone herself this time! Those of you who are curious about the zinester-librarian phenomenon are advised to order this promptly. Some, but probably not all, of your questions will be answered. Jackie examines 16 library myths, critiques library-related movies, profiles a zine library, and reviews books about libraries. We also get to read the results of her library user survey, and find out about more zines published by librarians. At a time where curiosity about the zinester-librarian connection is apparently reaching a fever pitch, this issue couldn’t be more relevant. Order today! [5.5” x 8.5”, $1 (a mind-boggling bargain) to: Jackie Campbell, PO Box 77716, Seattle, WA 98177 ].
Any zine that’s been in the works for 4 years is likely to have some valuable content within its pages, and this one is no exception. Ariel has assembled self-defense stories from women into a zine that is “celebrating women’s strength and ability to defend ourselves while showing how we keep ourselves safe in real-life situations.” As with any compilation of writing, some contributions are better than others, and I also felt that certain stories were more inspirational and empowering than others. The bulk of this issue, however, is amazing, and confronts the reality of sexual harassment and assault in an honest and direct way. Although this zine exists primarily for the benefit of women, I’d strongly recommend that men read it as well. [7” x 8.5”, $3 to: Ariel Clemenzi, PO Box 2433, Champaign, IL 61825 , mspippilotta@yahoo.com]. |
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