2001–2002 Reviews

All My Heros Are Virgins #1, 40p, half-size, £1.00/$1.50/trade
A primarily literary zine featuring works by Beth Tilston and Laura Smith, which also includes quotes, cut-outs, and other random bits. The structure of the zine is rather odd, with the cover serving as a folder for the loose pages inside. Despite the "ghetto" approach, the content is well-written, with a mix of stream of consciousness and a more conversational tone. Most seems to be fiction, but some personal material is included as well.
Greendale
Ridley Lane
Mawdesley
Lancs
L40 3SX
England
Bobbins2000@hotmail.com
--AR

Art:Mag #25, 58p, half-size, $5
An arts and literary zine with a surprising amount of content and variety Mostly well-organized and loaded with content, the text is sometimes written, sometimes typed. The styles range all over the place, from surreal to confessional, with interesting black and white art illustrating the pages. The full-color cover and color page inserts are a nice touch as well.
Limited Edition Press
PO Box 70896
Las Vegas, NV 89170
--AR

Bad Balance #5
A rather old zine created by some ex-art school kids. The art ranges from comical to completely random. The only comparison I can think of is a one-page comic circulated around my high school in the mid-90's called The Blank Page, not that anyone else will get the reference. This zine has everything from cartoons to photographs to music reviews. Not really in regular circulation anymore, though you might still be able to pick up back issues if you go the website.
http://michaelherring.net/badbalance
--AR

Birchlane Vol.1 #3, 60p, odd size (8.5X10)
Each issue of Birchlane seems a beautiful combination of words and images, and this issue is no different. The photography of Alaina Burri-Stone is combined with a number of writers and poets. The photograph are beautiful explorations of women both mysterious and full of memory. The writing diverges from this theme, yet carries a similar tone, adding greatly to the overall quality. The standout poet for me is Teri Browning, whose mixture of colloquial language and lucidity struck me immediately. Editor Bruce Barone has pulled together a beautiful collection of images and words.
http://birchlane.net/
bdbarone@yahoo.com
--AR

Birchlane Vol.2 #1, 56p, odd size (8.5X8.5)
Another wonderful combination of image and text. Emotional photographs are paired with poetry, each complimenting the other beautifully. Co-editors, Bruce Barone and Stephanie Alyce Peacock have assembled a well-designed, emotionally affecting book.
http://birchlane.net/
bdbarone@yahoo.com
--AR

Bitterman #1, 8p, half-size
A cute black and white mini-comic with our hero Bitterman, hose super-power is the ability to bring back bitter memories. The style is very cartoonish and gleefully makes fun of super-hero comics.
Bert "Brick Mickasso" Kimura
PO Box 51252
Seattle, WA 98115
mickasso@hotmail.com
--AR

Brainscab #5, 20p, full-size
This is an underground metal fanzine. Not being such a fan of the genre, I can't really comment on the content. Some of the writing is amateurish, but without a doubt reveals a real love and interest for the genre. Extremely worthwhile for fans of underground metal.
Kevin Hansen
450 Quail Run
Cheney, KS 67025
http://www.brainscabzine.com
scabofbrain@yahoo.com
--AR

Camo-Jaket #1, 28p, quarter-size
A wonderfully sweet and personal zine which seems to deal primarily with issues of growing up. The writer, Jazz, self-consciously introduces herself to us and through the rest of the zine draws us into her life. Her talented carries this little gem beautifully. I like the way text is layered over images, though in some areas it gets somewhat confusing. Excellent first issue.
noirxlupis@hotmail.com
--AR

Consume, 11p, odd size (3.5X6)
A nice and simple one-shot full of poetry and seemingly confessional words. The poetry is both intimate and playful. This appears to refer a lot to love, perhaps one that is removed or lost. While this is text-only, it captures the reader with the words more than anything else.
veddergurl@yahoo.com
--AR

Cut-It-Out #1 2001, 80p, quarter-size
This is a voluminous literary zine, with tiny words crammed onto tiny pages. Not that it works to its detriment. In fact, the format makes the reader want to pay closer attention to what's on the page, demanding attention. Within the pages, you'll find poetry, literary essays, a few comic, reviews, all of worthy quality. A great deal of material is housed within these tiny pages.
PO Box 903
Glencoe, Ontario
N0L 1M0
Canada
goldmourn@aol.com
--AR

Doing Maria, 20p, quarter-size
This is a mini-zine that comes with Two-Way Freak. It's sort of a companion to that zine as it also deals with being a Phone Sex Operator and all that entails. This one gets into the fetish some callers have for the stereotypical Peurto Rican housekeeper, as well as the marginalization of "chubby-chasers." This is a very interesting contiuation of the issues that Two-Way Freak deals with and you get a sense of different attitudes about the type of work they do.
karaoke_slut@hotmail.com
Also available through Pander Zine Distro
--AR

Football Zine, winter 02 and summer 02
It's rather difficult to write a separate review for each single page issue of Football Zine, so I thought I'd combine two in one. The concept is simple--to create a zine in a consistent format (one page folded like a football) and offer drawings, philosophical meanderings, and upcoming shows and events. I like the "things to do" section, a wonderful idea in a place where everyone complains, "There's nothing to do." This is definitely a local Kansas City thing, not published on a totally regular basis, and available for free throughout the area.
footballzine@hotmail.com
--AR

Geek The Girl #9, 86p, quarter-size, trade or $1+2 stamps
This is one of the most emotionally moving zines I've ever read. I feel like I relate to a lot of what Alissa writers about, growing up in the Midwest and being into alternative culture in the mid-90's. She writes about a trip to see Concrete Blonde, as well as fond memories of high school, 1994-95, buying a house, and a trip to New Orleans. Mostly, it is about dealing with the loss of her best-friend and ex-fiance to suicide. It's such a beautiful, honest zine, it is highly recommended to those who love personal zines or those who have dealt with the loss of someone they love.
Alissa Campbell
374 E. Brown
Waverly, IL 62692
janesays5@hotmail.com
onelonelyhalo@girlswirl.net
--AR

Girl Swirl Fanzine #8 (Change is good, necessary & inevitable), 46p, quarter-size, $2 or trade
I had heard stuff about this zine via Pander Zine Distro, but I'd never actually picked up a copy and read it. My understanding is that this particular issue is much more intense and personal than previous issues. This fact is rather surprising, because it feels so honest and intimate, without being forced. It's basically about the end of a relationship and learning to move on and put one's life back together. This is amazing stuff which really impressed me with its quality. I also related to some of what Taryn has gone through, and I think that a lot of people will too.
Girl Swirl c/o Taryn Hipp
PO Box 8
Allston, MA 02134
http://www.girlswirl.net
taryn@girlswirl.net
Also available through Pander Zine Distro
--AR

GRRL #7, 70p, half size, $2 or trade
I think it's perfectly plausible and decent to consider GRRL a classic of the zine medium. Rather than look at things through a personal lens, Bonnie finds a subject, gathers material and submissions, and puts it together via cut-and-paste into an aesthetically pleasing form. This issue the focus is Lucha Libre, the art of Mexican masked wrestling. The subject is viewed at all angles, from interviews with wrestlers, Andie Kauffman's fascination with wrestling, to wrestling photographs, clip-art, and drawings. It's a full and complete exhibition and it's wonderful fun.
Bonnie Burton
425 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
http://www.grrl.com
bonnie@grrl.com
--AR

Ichthys #1, 20p, half-size
This is a literature and arts zine featuring the work of two talented brothers. Included is a bit of poetry, as well as some beautiful and provoking drawings and photographs. The pages are laid out in a simple, clean manner, which highlights the quality of the work. A good beginning for a and arts zine, I can't wait to see the next issue.
Mike Haring
PO Box 82
Goshen, UT 84633
mikeyharing@hotmail.com
--AR

In the Troposphere #2, 28p, odd size (6X8.5)
The front felt cover is terribly nifty and unique. This is one detail I like about this zine. It feels very DIY. I like the way the text and image play against each other. The content itself is personal. Our writer, Krystina deals primarily with sexuality, love, science, and society in this issue, telling it to us in a frank, conversational tone. The only complaint is I can't read all the mailing address listed, so I have no clue how to get in touch with her. If anyone has a clue, let me know!
--AR

Inbetween, 40p, odd size (3.75X4.25)
An amazing little one-shot structured like an ABC book with a few letters missing. Rather than simply represent a word, each letter represents a little chapter detailing the author's personal life. It feels very precious and intimate, perhaps aided by the small size. The mixture of imagery and text is well thought out and the altogether lovely.
http://www.uncapitalized.net/
ohkeight@yahoo.com

Life In a Glass House #2, 30p, quarter-size, $3
A beautifully honest personal zine, Madison seems wise beyond her years, and that quality carries through. Much of it is in journal form and covers a wide variety of topics, including feminism, music, and emotions. She talks about her best friend and writing. She also includes some of her own fiction. Overall, this zine is sensitive and well-rendered, a good example of a quality personal zine.
Madison Eliza
PO Box 261
Westerville, OH 43086-0261
awallofstars@aol.com
--AR

Lyra #5, 32p, half-size, $1
I've had this comic sitting around for ages, and I still love perusing the pages. I met Carrie during her brief stay in the KCAI Printmaking department and was rather fond of her comic art, with its rough drawing and cute stories. In this issue, Lyra's band, Potato Cake, plays their first show, Lyra muses on dresses and identity, and asks the eternal post-high school question, what to do when you get out. All that and music reviews too. Carrie Neumayer is wonderfully talented and it seems something of a figure in the Louisville, KY indie scene. A great comic.
PO Box 5696
Louisville, KY 40255
carrieneumayer@yahoo.com
-_AR

Nerve Cowboy #13
Nerve Cowboy is an arts and letter journal from out of Texas. I include it here as the writing and style might interest some of those with interest in zines and the like. It is self-published, but very professionally laid out. It looks good and there is even better content in the words. The poetry and prose is excellent and the art prefers a more rough, fun approach, which basically suits the nature of the journal. It seems in many ways to be a memorial issue for the writer Albert Huffstickler, a fellow I wished I had known sooner. Out of the work inside, his stands out the most, with its touch of nostalgia and beautiful ability to conjure emotional detail. A worthy subject for study. This is a great publication overall. I highly recommend searching this one out. Well worth $5.
Nerve Cowboy
PO Box 4973
Austin, TX 78765
http://www.onr.com/user/jwhagins/nervecowboy.html
--AR

Nerve Cowboy #14
I haven't really given this issue the full going-over, but I'm pretty sure the material is top stuff. I did read the last Huffstickler poems (there are two of them in this issue) and I will attest that they are quite good. I'll give you a more passable review when I've read the whole thing back to cover.
Nerve Cowboy
PO Box 4973
Austin, TX 78765
http://www.onr.com/user/jwhagins/nervecowboy.html
--AR

Neufutur #8
This zine has a good mix of material, most of which is personal. The author deals with issues of sexuality, dreams, emotions, and college life, as well as reviewing the movie, But I'm a Cheerleader, and showcasing under 16 zinesters. It's pretty cool and captures that very punk DIY feel that is important to many zines.
http://www.neufutur.com
neufutur@hotmail.com
--AR

No Better Voice #20
This is an awesome personal zine bound by a simple rubberband. The personal bits are wonderful silly and cynical. There are also a lot of show reviews--The Electro-Clash Tour, Le Tigre, Add N to (X), etc. A little variety to the usual personal zine routine. It feels altogether casual and fun, like getting drunk and hanging out with your best friend.
764 Channing
Ferndale, MI 48220
bennyismyhero@hotmail.com
--AR

Not Dead, But Dreaming #9
I have recently heard of the dissolution of this lovely dark culture zine. I've always appreciated the artfulness and attitude, one so rare in the current midwest Goth scene. By far, this was one of my favorite issues. The layering of the clipart, xeroxed scraps, and poetry is top. All the material gives a very dark and decadent air. Reviews in this issue include Black Tape for a Blue Girl and Voltaire.
"Not Dead, But Dreaming..."
PO Box 85361
Seattle, WA 98145
http://members.aol.com/eolhx/notdead.html
eolhxsedge@hotmail.com
--AR

Not Dead, But Dreaming #10
Less layering and clip-art in this issue, and overall more focused on the poetry. I didn't think this was as strong as #9, but it's still quality stuff, not just high school Goth meanderings. Reviews include Attrition, Babylon HoR, and Sunday Munich.
"Not Dead, But Dreaming..."
PO Box 85361
Seattle, WA 98145
http://members.aol.com/eolhx/notdead.html
eolhxsedge@hotmail.com
--AR

Rev. Richard J. Mackin's Book of Letters #17
This is an insanely funny zine with a very simple premise: Rick Mackin writes letters to various corporations and publishes the letter along with results, if any. The letters themselves are sometimes critical, often quite silly. The responses received often even funnier. This is wonderfully subversive fun.
Rich Mackin
PO Box 890
Allston, MA 02134
http://www.richmackin.org
richmackin@earthlink.net
--AR

Rock Star With Words #4, 56p, quarter-size
I didn't really know what to expect when I received this zine in the mail. All the reviews said it was wonderful, and after reading it from cover to cover, I'm inclined to agree. The bulk of this issue deals with Korrina's mental illness, how it affects her life and relationships, and how she's trying to move on with her life and pick up the pieces. It's a little sad, but very hopeful in a way. I love the casual, thoughtful way she writes. I feel like I know so much about her through her words. What carried me through especially is that I started to relate to her own experiences, even though my own have been so different. There are also other things inside, some musing with her brother about punk rock and reviews of zines. I highly recommend this.
rockstarwithwords@yahoo.com
--AR

Rock Star With Words #4.5, 6p, odd size (4.25"X3")
This is basically just a mini-zine that deals with a particular roommate and how people glamorize mental illness, and why Korinna is moving away. This is quality writing on par with #4 and very much related. In fact, to me it's like an epilogue to #4 in every way. To further this, it's included free with #4.
rockstarwithwords@yahoo.com
--AR

Silence is Death #3, 20p, half-size
I'm so glad that Amanda is keeping this zine up. In this issue, she just deals a lot with her life, both personal and political, talking about her friendships, protesting the war, and people who live only for money. Interspersed throughout are photographs and drawings. Like most personal zines I like, I appreciate her quality writing and sense of closeness with the reader. another great issue.
c/o Amanda Hernandez
762 Snediker Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11207
AmandaProfane@hotmail.com
--AR

Sleep is a Sweet Change #1 (Dream of Tomorrow)
This little personal zine is very cool. The poetry shows a great deal of promise, as well as influence via Jim Morrison, Allen Ginsberg, and The Cure. The text is very consistent, and adds a nice feel to the material. A lot of the work in here is emotional, and I have amazing respect for someone who talks so honestly about depression. This shows a great deal of promise and I'd love to see more.
Sarah Wells
9624 Sonata Ct.
Oklahoma City, OK 73130-6416
wretchedundrgrnd@aol.com
--AR

Space
This little zine was compiled from journals, and captures the sort of close, intimate nature of a journal. It is mostly a somber creation, starting with the rain, but it does give a complete picture of the writer. It captures beautifully both the everyday trevails of life, along with deeper questions as well. It's lovely, and the tracing paper cover tied with red string and colored pencil are nice touches.
Moira Clunie
PO Box 7754
Wellesley Street
Auckland, New Zealand
moira@nutmeg.gen.nz
--AR

Sparrow's Fall: Five String Serenade
If this were to be your first introduction to the whimsical and cynical world of Christopher Sparrow and friends, you might find yourself absolutely confused. Why are the animals talking? Why is Christopher Sparrow so desperate for love? What the hell is going on? You have accidentally stumbled on the bizarre comic world of Parrish Baker, a sort of cynical adult version of Winnie the Pooh. The main characters include Christopher Sparrow, a lonely human searching for love and the usual, Nips, a cynical possum who smokes incessantly, as well as Chip, Mortimer, and a supporting cast of humans too. They all cavort around a city bearing more than a little resemblance to Kansas City. Yes, all the monuments and local dives are represented, and Baker does a superb job capturing the look and feel of the town.
This compilation covers a large hodge-podge of stories and characters. Christopher indirectly deals with his ex-girlfriend and gets over it finally, while Nips and the gang works on a documentary. There is also the introduction of the local celebrity Gary Lezak and Windy subplot, along with the glorious butchering of Marty Robbins' country classic, "El Paso." One of the best of the best of the compilations.
sparrowsfall@yahoo.com
--AR

Sparrow's Fall: The Girl in the Window
This compilation is mostly focused on Christopher's interest in a girl which in the end goes nowhere, leaving Christopher in his usual state of loneliness and malcontent. All the while, Nips and friends film a documentary, hilarity thus ensuing. Also, lots of autumn, obsession, depression, the usual. Very good and very sad.
sparrowsfall@yahoo.com
--AR

Sparrow's Fall: No Other Fish in the Sea (First Year)
This is the beginning. After reading this, you'll understand everything, or almost, as well as notice the improvement in the stories and artwork time has incurred. Christopher Sparrow is a college graduate recently moved to Kansas City. In no time, he meets Nips, Chip, and Mortimer, then lands himself a hellish job at Kinko's. Christopher also involves himself in a scandalous romantic tryst with Hope. And space aliens! This is quality material. The "Boobie" issue still has me rolling on the floor with laughter!
sparrowsfall@yahoo.com
--AR

Steady On #1
Small and personal just as we like it. This one covers a huge range of random topics, so it just seems a big task to cover them all. What I like the most are the tangents concerning art and history, though the more personally natured stuff works well. The rough xeroxed art looks great, and the text flows well for the most part. Nice stuff.
Dystatic
11840-55str.
Edmonton, AB
Canada
T5W 3P8
http://www.dork.com/dystatic
dystatic@dork.com
Also available from Static Cling Distro
--AR

Time of Death, 12p, odd size (2.25X2.75)
Another nifty mini-zine from the author of Steady On and the owner of Static Cling Distro. It is basically a step-bystep detailing the various stages of death, so on and so forth. I love the starkness of the worn type against the white pages. It even has a bibliography in the back. Very cool.
Dystatic
11840-55str.
Edmonton, AB
Canada
T5W 3P8
http://www.dork.com/dystatic
dystatic@dork.com
Also available from Static Cling Distro
--AR

Two-Way Freak, 36p, odd size (7X8.5)
I must say I was totally impressed by this zine right away simply because of the awesome cover starring Madonna, along with the repetition of her image and lyrics throughout. She is even marked as the patron saint of the zine. And that title is very apt, since this zine deals mainly with sex, to be precise, being a phone sex operator, or a PSO. What I especially liked is that, rather than introduce the subject by way of sexual politics and feminism, she starts out by giving us a rundown on past jobs. I love this because it puts us into the mode of thinking of this more a a way to get by than just some huge sexual political issue. It also serves as a comparison/contrast to the sort of jobs she used to have. Mainly it's just a lot of material about the callers, some hilarious, others rather depressing. There are also moments when she touches on being a feminist and doing this work, with the admission that some feminists are totally removed from the working girl's plight. This is very cool and very necessary if sex work is a topic of interest for you. Even if it isn't, you need to read this. You'll learn so much, you'll be surprised.
suzukibean@hotmail.com
--AR

Vacuum #1
This is a sort of punk/indie culture and art zine that looks very good and has some interesting content, mostly musically focused. There are some reviews for bands I am not entirely familiar with, a little bit of poetry, and a picture tribute to Joey Ramone. I guess it's sort of a Christian punk thing, which I have no problem at all with, but may turn some people off. It's not totally overt, but it's there.
Vacuumzine
c/o Amy Shepard
2014 42nd Ave. SE
Salem, OR 97301
--AR

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