Before there was zine-stalker Bill Price there was the lesser known Robert Dupree. This zine, by Sean Tejeratchi of Craphound fame, happened when Dupree struck a nerve. Sean began assembling letters and stories about and by the man himself. You see, Robert had a certain way of creating fake characters, having them write letters to women, and taking on persuasive arguments about why people should have sex with Robert Dupree, the "king of oral love". It only gets worse from there, but strangely it's quite the captivating read that you cannot put down.
Heather and Tiffany created this cookbook as a benefit for local no-kill animal shelters in Portland, OR. 100% of their profits for this zine are donated, and since as of right now they've got an amazingly good (free) copy hook-up, the cats and dogs of this town are breathing a little easier. It's food for humans, not cats though. When they lived together and you visited their house you'd be greeted by top notch biscuits among other delicacies. This cookbook also includes yummy pancakes, cheese sauce, jambalaya, lasagna, broccoli and rice casserole, macaroni salad, hush puppies, gumbo, stuffed peppers, and lots more delicious goodies. Top notch "comfort food" that they prepare constantly.
In this zine, fueled by indignant outrage, Melissa talks about her experience volunteering with No Mas Muertes and Humane Borders, and the people she meets in the process. About their struggles to cross the Mexico/US border, and those attempting to stop them. She also writes about protesting for immigrants rights and more. Lots of photographs, and all handwritten, this is an important reflection on a timely issue.
1880 was a good year for language! In the LaLa Theory #5, Katie tells a bit about some words added that year, including of course the title words, blizzard, blindfold, squatter, and cartoonist. (Gonad also came that year.) I like to think about the culture that gave birth to those words, what was happening in the world that made those common terms and ideas. Here are some of the words added to the dictionary in 2007: ginormous, crunk, and smackdown. What can we infer about our year? Don't answer that.
Kyla!'s open letter to the boys in her life. It's a really honest look at her history with sexual assault, cutting, eating disorders and suicide. It's really personal, and at times painful to read. But there's a lot to identify with inside, like drinking to be loved, and then not being able to justify saying no, and wanting to be seen as person and not just a girlfriend. She says it's the hardest thing she's ever had to write and I believe her.
Whoa. We don't have but a handful of these, but they're awesome. Last Hours is a magazine from the UK that focuses on all things radical. This one is the radical illustration issue. Features interviews with Alan Moore, Cristy Road, Nikki McClure, Josh MacPhee and others. It has art by Isy of Morgenmuffel, Steve Larder of Rum Lad, Edd of Hey Monkey Riot, comics by Laura Oldfield Ford, and Dan Phlegm of Phlegm comics. Zine reviews, music reviews, this is so full of great stuff!!
Wow, the thing about Laterborn is this: You look at the comics and you think, "these are pretty simple drawings"...but then, you read the content and they are some of the best written stories you've ever read. No, really. "Who Are You," is a comic about the teacher that taught him to stand up for his beliefs, and "Lucy Marsh," is the story of another teacher's grief. There's also a short story about a drug-trip gone bad, but it's not cliched or boring. Everything Jason attempts here is executed perfectly. You've never heard of this zine, but you've gotta check it out! Five stars!
Laterborn #5 is another collection of sweet, perceptive comics, this time focused on Jason's high school and college life. In the comic "Lily," he manages to perfectly capture that very first relationship. Not the Craig Thompson "Blankets" kind of romance, but the one even before that. That barely teenaged foray into the world of dating. The awkwardness of "Mom, will you drive me there?" and staying up late on the phone like it was your lifeline. There's also a comic of unrequited love, and one about why people choose to die in Sausalito. These comics, while often sad, understand something very basic about human nature.
Jason's 6th issue is intensely nostalgic. The comics are about his first tour with a band, playing Nintendo in college, how popular music has stayed with him over time, and various dreams he's had. The drawings inside are the same as those on the cover; they're pretty simple. But somehow Jason structures his comics in a way that seems warm. His stories make you feel kind of nostalgic yourself, especially if you were an alternateen who listened to the Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam.
Ethan's new book is a really engrossing read. He lives the life of any traveling punk kid you've ever met, hitchhiking, bike delivery, all that good stuff. What makes this stand out is the way he tells his tales. It's got that friend telling you a story quality that i really enjoy in a memoir. It's not over-romanticized, it doesn't have 15 different versions of the same story about scamming a bus, and most of all it's told with humor. Also, it's pretty gutsy to write a memoir when you're 24. Ethan's a talented writer, who's previous work includes the zine Chihuahua and Pitbull, the book Stories Care Forgot, and his co-collaboration on the soon to be released Chainbreaker book!
This is a forum for women activists to share their experiences (good or bad) and what they've learned. The zine includes inspiring and honest stories; stories that show the diversity and creativity of women activists; stories that compel us to act; stories that prepare us for and remind us about what we're up against (both in the system AND in activist groups!). #3 is the experiences of institutionalized women activists issue! Contains some outrageous newspaper clippings, is swimming safe at night?, world economics, the invisible apartheid of Kent State University, abuse of women in US prisons, consent, when it happens to someone you care about, women fight back, police brutatlity and the g-20 meeting in montreal, origin and meaning of the word cunt, and much more! Anti-copyrighted 2002.
A great little slice of personality from Lacey's via her extensive lists of likes and dislikes. Some highlights include:
Likes:
"The thought that Aliens and Humans might someday become one."
"What Illegal things arose out of prohibition"
"talking about conspiracies"
Dislikes:
"Having to break into a place you have the key to."
"Realizing you like your boyfriend's friends more than you like him"
"Playing with silly putty after someone with warts"
"Undressing a man only to find he has creepy underwear"
With things like this, we get a gradual growing depth into what Lacey is all about and even her seeming contradictions. We smile at shared feeling and cringe at a horrible experience we haven't yet lived through.
For those who like lists with a whole-lotta substance, comes List #11. As always, there are lots and lots of cute-ass drawings to accompany every list. This issue: love and polyamory, school, the internet, family, new roommates, jobs held, and her dog's quirks. This issues comes with a thick mini-zine insert of lists, all pertaining to life in her new house. It's a clever twist on the traditional perzine.
Ramsey presents us with another zine chock full of lists. My favorites this time were the before & after ones and others that documented some sort of change or growth. Some of these include Plans For Baltimore vs. Things I Actually Did When I Got To Baltimore, Goals For Five Years From Now (as written 4 yrs ago) vs. New Goals For Five Years From Now, Things I Have Overcome, Things I've Done This Year That I Wouldn't Have Done Last Year. It was obviously put together during a transitional time in her life and contains a slight twinge of heartache as well
This issue also includes random lists found around town and guest lists such as: Reasons Why College is Awesome (and graduating is not), A List of Lists I Decided Not to Write for List, 10 Things I Like About Baltimore, Things I Wanted to Be (over the years), Stuff About My Friend Aaron That Would Make Good Episodes If They Ever Made A Sitcom About His Life.
Another cute, sweet issue of Listy. You may have correctly guessed from the title that it is a zine composed primarily of lists. These lists are far-ranging from the standard "hot" and "not" lists, to things the authors are scared of (including ceiling fans). We are also treated to a list of phrases repeatedly uttered by an office co-worker named Vince. For instance, "up the butt in Alligators," and"low-hanging fruit." This is some funny stuff if you like silly light-hearted humor. Oh, and in case you were wondering, "a bunch of earwigs being hit by lightning" is "Hot." A bunch of earwigs seeing a rainbow," are "Not."
The funniest issue of Listy yet, #3 has all sorts of lists! Awkward moments (like when you have to pay for something with all change), literary pet peaves, people currently in a 10 feet radius of me at a public library, movie worries (as in things that the characters do that makes you nervous), displeasing deserts (stewed plums!), special candies, and some grocery list reviews. This issue is giggle-worthy.
A fun little romp into Maria's (Secret Mystery Love Shoes) world of humor and naughtiness. Listings of dances that her boyfriend does, things she said she's never do - but does!, a listing of Andrew's farts, lists of why to hate introductions, and much more. The highlight is when she reviews found grocery lists - so much so that we would like to see an entire zine of this! The thing separating this from other zines comprised of lists (which we've found ourself surrounded by lately) is that the lists are backed up by extensive descriptions, reasoning, and essays - which create a vastly amusing time!
Our lives are constantly in a panic about maximizing our time. So much to do, so few hours in a day. In The Long Walk Back to Myself Jessica Max Stein takes a fifty-mile, three-and-a-half day walk from bustling New York City to bucolic Croton-on-Hudson. A car or train would have taken about an hour.
Jessica doesn't walk for a "cause" but merely for the pleasure of walking itself. Some of her friends think she is crazy and ruining her life, and that the walk proves it. Jessica's own inner demons suggest this as well.
This zine is inspirational. Some people think the only way to deal with your problems and mental trouble is to pay thousands to therapists and drug companies. Sometimes all we need is time outside our own lives, doing something as old-fashioned as a very long walk. The simple motion and repetition of walking itself can bring things out of the subconscious.
This zine shows how something lost in our human history is still possible if we want it enough. As the back cover says "Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."
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Melissa's stories came highly recommended and they did not disappoint at all. This is a collection of her older work repackaged as a book wtih illustrations from Sara Thustra. The stories explore the darker side of existence; homelessness, drug abuse, extreme poverty, losing friends, and child abuse. The stories don't always have happy endings but that is life and Melissa does a great job of saying "some people live this way and it is their reality!" The stories are really emotional and touching at times and she does a great job of getting in character. I was thoroughly impressed with not only the way that the writes the stories but also the way that she reads them. This is one of the best zines that I've read in recent memory.
Loserdom is one of the sweetest zines ever! It's written by two brothers, Anto and Eugene, who mostly cycle around, tell jokes, and say feck instead of f*ck. In this issue, they give a humorous review of an Alley Cat bike race, take us on a Spanish Civil War tour of Barcelona, interview an Irish peace activist, Caoimhe Butterfly, and write a comic in which they go back in time on their bicycle and use the opportunity to buy 70's punk records...on vinyl!! There's also some stuff on the history of the Irish punk scene and tons of zine reviews!
The mother of all zines, this is a huge collection of writings by mothers about birth! Over 30 contributors, all who make their own zines about mothering including Bee Lavender/Hip Mama, Rhonda Baker (Zuzu and the Baby Catcher), Ayun Holliday (East Village Inky), Noemi Martinez (Hermana, Resist!), Rosa Maria (Placenta), Ariel Gore, and many many more!
The mother of all zines, this is a huge collection of writings by mothers about "cutting the cord", separating from their children literally, socially, or metaphorically! 26 contributors, all who make their own zines about mothering including Ariel Gore (Hip Mama), Ayun Halliday (East Village Inky), Stacey Greenberg (Fertile Ground), China Martens (The Future Generation), Kate Haas (Miranda), and Rhonda Baker (Zuzu and the Baby Catcher).
The mother of all zines, this huge collection of writing by mommies reflects on "coming home"! Tons of contributors as usual, all who make their own zines about mothering. Tomas of Rad Dad even snuck in this time!
No question about it-- no one matches the independence, character, clear thought, and integrity of Fred Woodworth, editor of the long-running journal The Match! Since 1969, Fred has assembled this zine, offsetting printing it himself without the aid of computer desktop publishing "to criticize authoritarian society and religion in order to argue for the many human advantages of freedom and rationality."
This issue contains the regular features-- "Who the Police Beat," "Freedom Eclipsed," "The World's Longest Letters Column"-- as well as new revelations to keep us thinking.
This issue includes Fred's diatribe on the centralization of power in the publishing industry. Neat. And of course a critical rant against religion of any sort. Still circle A all the way.
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