Zines
The NewPages
Zine Rack
Number 29 (Posted Oct 5, 2005)
Zines Reviewed by Sean Stewart
[Linking? To link to reviews, please note:
permanent link here]
coldhandsdeadheart
#19
Mike’s random black ink drawings both disturbed and amused me. Some are
political cartoons, some are of creepy half-human, half-animal creatures, and
others are silly one-page wordplay drawings. The zine is kind of a sounding
board for ideas, I guess, and as such it lacks cohesiveness. I also think that
perhaps this kind of art is more impressive in the original form, rather than in
a photocopied zine. However, Mike obviously has talent, and some of his jokes
are pretty clever. Check out his website for samples from his various
publications. [4.25” x 5.5”, $2 ppd. to Mike Twohig, 72-1 Meadow Farm South,
North Chili, NY 14514,
m_twohig@hotmail.com,
www.angelfire.com/ill/miketwohig]
Emergency
#5
“The ocean and the hills.” Each issue of Emergency usually features
a theme threading its way through the different essays and stories. In this
issue, time is not linear; Ammi switches years and days around to suit the
telling of her stories. As the tales cross the hills, racing to the ocean and
back, we follow Ammi from the suburbs of her youth to the big cities where she
finds herself living now. She speaks of getting older and fighting
disillusionment, of having more knowledge now, but less energy. Her friends
support and love her, while also sometimes teetering on the edges of
self-destruction. She rides her bike, and a thirteen-year-old pulls a knife on
her. She talks about gender, about sexuality, about mortality, about war. And
about life and living. It’s what I like to think of as critical personal
writing; you look at yourself, you look around you, try to make sense of it all,
and record your observations and reflections. This is good stuff. [5.5” x
8.5”, $2, order from
Microcosm Publishing,
ammi@softskull.com]
Fun
Time Comics
#3
I was skeptical when I opened this and realized the longest story was
baseball-themed. But this comic doesn’t just look at baseball on a literal
level. There’s philosophy in here, and maybe a bit of magical realism. And
after the baseball stuff, there’s a mixture of short non-baseball-related
comics. I actually ended up liking the baseball story more than the other
ones. The artwork is weirdly surreal in places, but it works with the subject
matter. The main story has some cool mixed-media elements, where the characters
hold up actual baseball cards and tarot cards. A team of four puts this
together, so there are a variety of styles going on, but it has a fairly uniform
feel to it. I think they have a new issue out, so email them for more
information on that. [8” x 10.5”, no price, contact:
madisonundergroundpress@hotmail.com]
Girls
Are Not Chicks Coloring Book
The editors put this book together because they are sick of “the idea that
there is something wrong, weak, and limited about being a girl or woman.” So
they set about making a coloring book for girls that celebrates the limitless
possibilities available when buying into stereotypes is replaced by cultivating
personal pride in one’s identity and abilities. Full of empowering statements
matched with personable drawings ready to be colored in, the book offers a great
way to introduce young girls to a way of thinking that embraces equality and
individuality. Very well done. Check out the website to see other available
coloring books. [6.75” x 8.5”, $4-8 sliding scale + $1.25 shipping for first
copy and 50 cents each additional, check or money order payable to Julie Novak
(or well-concealed cash), send to Julie M. Novak, PO Box 325, Rosendale, NY
12472,
www.girlsnotchicks.com]
I
Hear You Like Stories
Issue 3
July 2005
If you do indeed like stories, then you might enjoy the two laid out on the
pages of this zine. The first is an assumedly autobiographical tale visiting
the ups and downs of a vague relationship that seems to be going nowhere, but at
a (perhaps) acceptably slow and lackadaisical pace. As the author writes, “we
like our alone time, and space.” Fair enough. The second story is strange and
fantastic, set in a fairy tale-themed amusement park staffed by a cast of
carny-esque malcontents who gossip and quibble with each other. Old Mother
Hubbard takes center stage, as a tragic washed-up woman who suddenly rekindles
an early love of astronomy to the bewilderment and frustration of the other
fairy tale characters and park managers. The story is capably told, although I
confess to still feeling adrift at the end. Overall, this is an attractively
assembled and well-written zine. [4.25” x 5.5”, $2 to Meg Favreau, 300 Parker
Ave., Apt. 201, Philadelphia, PA 19128,
meg@gladyssellsthings.com,
www.gladyssellsthings.com,
stories.gladyssellsthings.com]
Kung
Fu Grip!
No. 1
Spring 2005
It’s always good to see at least one first issue in each month’s batch, and
this one has succeeded admirably. When considering individual theme zines, or
dedicated fanzines, I tend to judge the zine’s success on whether or not it gets
me interested in a subject I’m normally not a fan of. While I’ve enjoyed a few
kung fu films over the years, I’m far from being as much a fan of them as Paco
is. His enthusiasm and research chops impressed me, though, and I found myself
engrossed in this zine from page one. The intriguing and informative article on
Count Dante, the “Deadliest Man Alive,” stands out as one of the highlights.
But it’s Paco’s poignant Chicago memoir, “The Way We Were,” that really
overwhelmed me. It’s a bittersweet story of childhood friendship, teenage
gangbanging, and the senseless deaths that Paco couldn’t seem to escape. It’s
one of the most compelling and thoughtful pieces of zine writing I’ve read in a
long time. Packed with sticker art and graffiti spreads, toy reviews, plenty of
kung fu imagery, and top-notch writing, this highly promising first issue was a
real treat to read. [5.5” x 8.5”, $3 + 98 cents postage, checks & money orders
to D. Taylor, send to Paco Taylor, 250 North Arcadia #1320, Tucson, AZ 85711,
kfg@metropolmedia.com,
www.metropolmedia.com]
mister
fujiyama loves you
#6
Spring/Summer 2005
First of all, two dollars gets you a zine and a CD. Now that’s a
value you don’t easily find these days. Even if the zine was bad (it’s not) or
the music sucked (it doesn’t), you still couldn’t really go wrong. Anyway,
Sheena lives in Philly and writes about bike riding, cats, observing public
displays of affection, feeling alternately awkward and at ease in social
situations, and being alone while finding subtle beauty in her surroundings.
Hmm...with topics like these, it wasn’t tough to win me over, as all of those
are favorite themes of my own. And if I hadn’t read this zine, I wouldn’t now
know that cats have 8-12 million more olfactory cells than humans do.
Fascinating. The CD includes three sweet and simple acoustic pop songs that
methinks it would be hard for you not to like. [4.25” x 4.75”, $2
(includes zine + 3-song CD), Sheena Allen, 300 Parker Ave. #201, Philadelphia,
PA 19128,
mflyzine@gmail.com,
www.mflyzine.net]
Mr.
Big
#4
Sometimes arriving late on the scene of a serial comic can be difficult.
Reading this issue of Mr. Big left me wanting, but in a good way, as in I
now want to read the rest of the story. Matt has produced a suspenseful
storyline within beautifully rendered black and white drawings of a pond and its
residents, they being of the amphibious, reptilian, ichthyic, and avian nature.
The full-color cover features two stoic frogs on lily pads centered in a frame
of tree branches, along which are crawling some ladybugs, a woolly bear
caterpillar, and a dragonfly. Nicely done. [5.5” x 8.5”, $1.50 + postage
(email for rates), Matt Dembicki, 3148 Hartwick Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031,
m@waspcomics.com,
www.waspcomics.com]
Murder
Can Be Fun
#19
I’d heard of this zine before, but never read it. Apparently I’ve been
missing out. The murderous theme this time around is music. Now, we all know
there are many musical death tales, but John leaves the more obvious ones
alone. The feature story zeroes in on western swing star Spade Cooley, who was
eventually convicted of murder. Spade’s story is fascinating, but I won’t spoil
the surprise by giving out any more details. You’ll just have to pick this zine
up and read for yourself about Spade’s journey down that dark road. There are
other articles in here, interspersed with riveting stories of “Great Rock ‘n’
Roll Deaths.” In addition to Spade’s tale, you’ll also read about the actual
death tied into the metaphorical death of David Cassidy’s career; a history of
rock group The Band that ends with a morbid scene; and the bizarre story of jazz
trombonist Frank Rosolino. Rounding out the issue is a humorous overview of
fundamentalist Christian anti-rock’n’roll literature. Wholeheartedly
recommended! [5.5” x 8.5”, $2, John Marr, PO Box 640111, San Francisco, CA
94164,
johnmarr1@yahoo.com]
The
Tree-Hair Girl
What happens when your hair grows and grows until it turns into tree
branches? Read this cute little zine to find out. Hand-sewn binding adds a
nice touch. Also be sure to visit Heidi’s website, as she has all sorts of neat
things for sale on there, including plush donuts, cupcakes, and toast! Believe
me, you’ll be happy you took the time to have a look. [5.5” x 4.25”, $1 (see
website for shipping),
www.mypapercrane.com]
To
Cumulative Index of Zines Reviewed
P.O. Box 1580