November 2004
A Million Birthdays #3, quarter-size, 37p,
$1 or trade
This is a short and sweet per-zine with hand-written text that’s remarkably
clear and well organized. Kathee focuses a lot of changes, growth, and the
passage of time—all quite typical subjects for a perzine, but she’s
a solid writer who keeps things interesting. One highlight is an amusing digression
on Sweet Valley High novels. Definitely worth a look if you’re into
per-zines.
Kathee Rose
PO Box 777
Willoughby, OH 44096-0777
USA
kathee@mymelody.com
Also available through Sew
True Distro
--AR
Cold Hands Dead Heart #16, quarter-size
Coldhandsdeadheart is somewhere between comic and political zine. Artist
Mike Twohig has a skilled style all his own. You'll find Hollywood politicians
Reagan, Ventura, Schwartzenegger, and the Rock (to become the future "Grand
Master Ruler of Mars"). Also the story of the author's paperboy job,
some work with flyers and band art, and intense emotional caricatures. Cardstock
covers, stapled and black tape bound, and a small red block print on the back
make this kind of nice to hang on to. Mike is very talented and though it's
a quick read it is quality. I'm glad I've come across this, and I think you
will be too.
M_twohig@hotmail.com
--Jessica Bublitz
Giants Rising, odd size, 95p
Yet another beautifully realized mini-comic by Tod Seko that’s thick
enough to almost consider a full graphic novel. This one involves a city attacked
by the undead and Joe, the only man who can save it. He’s joined along
the way by an obnoxious kid and a giant robot. With his bold brush strokes
and ink washes, Seko recalls the work of Frank Miller and even manga, but
with a bawdier, campier, tongue-in-cheek approach to the story. This is a
fun, entertaining comic with great artwork. Also includes the super-mini,
True-Face.
Picture Perfect Press
PO Box 4266
Torrance, CA 90510
pictureperfectpress@hotmail.com
--AR
Parfait #1, quarter-size, 76p, $6
The clean design and letterpress covers of this zine immediately caught my
attention, as I am a big fan of letterpress printing. The content itself has
a unique approach, being that it is very design oriented, but essentially
personal in scope. Rather than writing from deeper personal experience, Emily
prefers an often 3rd person approach and collects various ephemera: illustrated
lists of purchases, to-do lists, books read, recipes, movies to see, lost
possessions, etc. At times, her approach is distancing, yet the zine retains
a very intimate appeal, perhaps heightened by the small size and inviting
pastel colors. Lovers of design and letterpress will love the look of this
zine, and fans of per-zines will appreciate the quirky, sweet approach.
Red Charming
Emily K. Larned
440 Broadway, NY 11211
USA
Redcharming@hotmail.com
http://www.booklyn.org
--AR
66 Thousand Miles Per Hour #0, A4 size, 32p
The slick, professional look of this indie comic differs from many zines and
mini- comics, but it shares the same independent spirit, so is worth discussing.
Meant as a prologue to #1, this full color comic with glossy pages tells the
story of punkish Evie Price, who’s stuck in New Jersey and miserable.
To make matters worse, she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her with
her best friend. All this would be typical teen soap opera fodder were it
not for the circus freaks, invading aliens, and a ghost named Joan. This stuff
is surprisingly funny and complex. Michael Cavallaro’s artwork is a
unique blend of underground individualism and retro-style. For those who love
indie comics, this is definitely one to keep an eye on!
66KMPH
PO Box 975
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
USA
66kmph_mail@earthlink.net
http://www.66thousandmilesperhour.com
--AR
Suburban Gothic #4, quarter-size, 48p, $2 in
US and Canada, $3 elsewhere
Rae’s writing is always melancholy with her own signature style that
has created a group of faithful readers. Her newest issue, Variation on
a Theme (Corazon: Diablo), slips away from her usual content to focus
on past loves. The majority of this is closure letters unsent to let her ex‚s
know how she feels (mostly boys but also girls). I’m sure this was very
therapeutic to write and this will help dumped readers know they aren’t
alone. There are other stories as well, such as a little history behind especially
intense relationships, a rant on sexuality labels, a want for the perfect
relationship, and a handful of zine, book, movie, and music recommendations.
Great for a bitter Valentine’s Day, complete with red vellum covers
and slinky black ribbon binding. It also includes dramatic Victorian-style
illustrations, a few photographs, and a special drawing by AR. If you are
unfamiliar I would recommend past issues first, but if you’ve read Suburban
Gothic before or if you are just interested in love and animosity, then
check this out.
Rae
P.O.Box 1381
Bellevue, NE
68005-1381
suburbangothic@livejournal.com
http://www.freewebs.com/suburbangothic
--Jessica Bublitz
Vitaphobia #8, Spring/Summer 2003, half-size,
64p, $4-$6 sliding scale
My first experience with this amazing per-zine, and I must admit it’s
one of the best. Shari is a solid writer who deftly captures the details of
her personal world in a manner that is artful and highly engaging. She covers
a wide range of subjects, from her experience in a psychiatric hospital and
borderline personality disorder to the work of photographer Ellie Brown and
the cursory zine review section. Beyond this, she offers a couple short stories
and her lovely photography. The color print cover on heavy cardstock adds
to the artful appeal of this beautiful and exacting personal zine. Highly
recommended.
Ensurance_trap@hotmail.com
--AR