Koogmo #4

Koogmo #4
8 1/2" x 11", 12 pages, $1/trade
Koogmo (formerly Whuddafug) is a text heavy zine with a particularly simple and uninteresting layout. Its saving grace is that the writing is good and the content is typically engrossing. Most issues have a wide variety of content, however this issue happens to be an exception. It starts out with some journal entries where you get a real feel for Anthony's view of the world. His view is either unique or he just writes about it well - possibly both. Either way, Anthony's telling of his day to day life and his perspectives on things are the most interesting parts of this zine. After the journal entries there are letters to the editor and a few zine reviews. The bulk of the zine is then taken up with a recounting of a trip to Cabo San Lucas. If you have never read Koogmo or Whuddafug, this issue may not be your best introduction, however I do recommend contacting Anthony and getting your hands on an issue or two.
Anthony Abelaye
PO Box 861294
Plano TX 75086
USA
anthony@koogmo.com
http://koogmo.com

   

La Poubelle: La lutte eternel

La Poubelle by Derek Baxter and Brian Canini is a comic in French. I took French in high school and remember some, so I was able to read about...50% of the words? Or maybe more. But there were a lot of gaps. I could understand, "Now I am going to kill the ninjas," toward the end, and, "I want to be rich and have sex with a whore," which someone told a lamp genie. There are a few scenes and I don't understand the relationships between them, for the most part, but there are no divisions that make me think they're not supposed to be related. So I don't know if that's my failure to fully understand the French or if the connections really are very loose.

Overall it's light and sometimes funny, like when the bull-person says, "I'm going to eat this rose," and does. Or when they're suddenly at a disco at the end. I like the beginning, which is about the way the word for poison and the word for fish are very similar in French. But the part with the dead prostitute is disturbing, and I'm clearly missing some of the jokes. "L'amour, c'est comme une etoil de mer...dur et pointu." I knew that says, "Love, it's like a star something...something and something," then looked up three words and learned it says, "Love, it's like a starfish, hard and pointy."

Overall, I think I'm not the audience for this comic. I am a big fan of graphic memoir and some non-superhero independent comics, and this one's non-superhero, but my sense of humor mostly doesn't work with the sense of humor of the creators. I'm sure lots of comics lovers would really enjoy this, though.

And I feel like I can't give a fair review since I'm not fluent in French. But lots of people aren't fluent in French, so maybe people who don't know French or who took French in school are supposed to be able to enjoy it too? Maybe the makers who sent it to me assumed I was French from my name, which I'm not. And I know I assumed that non-French speakers would be able to get something out of it since they were sending it to me without asking if I speak French. Maybe it was a misunderstanding.

The drawing is very good in a cartoon way, and I like the cover with its blues. Maybe I should have known from the name of the comics publisher, Drunken Cat Comics, that it would not match my sense of humor. I don't drink. I feel like a prude for not enjoying this more. But I want to be cool with who I am too.

Again, I think a lot of people would enjoy this, and I encourage you to get a copy of this zine if you're into this type of comic. As for me, I will pass it along to my comics-loving neighbors who work at a comic book store and probably have much broader comics tastes than my narrow ones.

http://www.drunkencatcomics.com

The Juniper #16

Hello friends and foes! The 16th issue of The Juniper is out now! It's about time, right? In this issue, I write about embracing change, being human, raised bed gardening, the proper way to add organic matter to your garden, purposeful gardening, and pruning rosemary plants. This zine is free, but if you have a dollar or stamps to donate to the cause, that would be greatly appreciated as printing and mailing costs add up. I am also, for the first time, offering a pdf version of the zine. If you would like a free pdf copy, just send me a request by email. Otherwise, send your dollar or stamp(s) to the following address:

Dan Murphy
PO Box 9862
Boise ID 83707
USA

dnlmrphy@gmail.com

Zine News Round-Up: 24.02.13

image by Angry Violist - thanks!

1. Zine Releases

2. Upcoming Events

3. Submission Calls

4. AOB

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1. Zine Releases - Poor Lass #1, “a collection of stories of what it's really like to be working class”, is out now! Buy a copy for £2 at http://sugarpaper.bigcartel.com/product/poor-lass-1

- Becoming: A Feminist Coming of Age, a zine created by Project:BABE, is out now! Contact the editors for a copy at projectbabecollectiveATgmail.com.

2. Upcoming Events - Workshop on Zines and Feminism: Thursday 8^thMarch, 10.30am at Swansea University. Part of the Swansea Feminist Network’s workshop day for International Women’s Day. More info at http://swanseafeministnetwork.wordpress.com.
- Sheffield Zine Fest: Saturday 16 March, 12 til 5pm. The organisers are looking for people to table and hold workshops – more info and contact details can be found at http://sheffieldzinefest.wordpress.com/.
- REVOLT #2: Saturday 16 March, Taylor John’s House, Coventry. A riot grrrl night with zine stalls and feminist music. http://www.facebook.com/events/532368940127398/?ref=2
- DIY Cultures 2013: Sunday 7 April, 12 til 7pm. A festival of zines, comics, artist-run spaces, talks, films, art and workshops. http://www.facebook.com/events/590291354321604/?ref=2
- Any upcoming UK zine events? Let us know – spillthezinesukATgmail.com!

3. Submission Calls - Pandora Press, a feminist compzine published by the Swansea Feminist Network, is looking for contributors for its 5^thissue (theme: media). Extended deadline: 28 February. More info at http://swanseafeministnetwork.wordpress.com

- Kat W is looking for reviews, essays, quotes and artwork for her Stephen King fanzine, titled ‘Death Is When The Monsters Get You’. For more info, email kjwilliams1986ATgmail.com.
- ‘Narwool’is a new zine by and for crafty people, featuring tutorials, how-to’s, artwork, and more. To submit, contact the editor Kim at narwoolzineAThotmail.co.uk.

- There’s a Doctor Who fanzine in the works! Lots of detailed information can be found at http://type-40-zine.tumblr.com/Submission-Guidelines

- Twigs and Apples, a zine collective based in Preston, are looking for submissions for their latest comp zine. Welcome topics include “art, illustration, photography, writing, reviews, music, film, veganism, recipes, anarchism, environmentalism, sports, gardening, bike-riding, philosophy, travel, DIY & craft”. More info at http://twigsandapples.tumblr.com.

4. AOB
- Kirsty, of Make It Work/Hard Femme zines, is currently doing an oral history project on zinesters as part of an MA in Archives and Records Management, and is looking for people to get involved. She can travel to you (or vice versa) and you'll have a 1-2 hour chat about zines, how you started making them, your involvement in the community and so on, anything you want to talk about! Fancy being involved? Or know someone who does/want to recommend someone? Email Kirsty at kirsty.fifeATgmail.com.

The Ken Chronicles #26

The Ken Chronicles #26
digest, 36 pages, $2
Ken is a big traveler now that he is retired, and so this issue of his zine (like many others) largely consists of the details of a recent trip. This time around his travels took him to Europe in celebration of a friend's 60th birthday. My favorite part is a single page entitled "Random Thoughts on the EuroTrip" in which he distills his trip down to a few interesting observations. He also includes a story about a giant pin oak falling onto his garage during Hurricane Sandy. As a plant geek, I especially enjoyed learning about the different trees in Ken's yard and their unusual placement. The last three pages of this issue are taken up with Ken's regular column, "What I've Been (Listening/Watching/Reading) Lately." This is a regularly published and consistently entertaining zine.
Ken Bausert
2140 Erma Drive
East Meadow NY 11554
USA

PassScribe@aol.com
http://thekenbausertchronicles.blogspot.com
http://kenbausertsnostalgicmuseum.blogspot.com

Something for Nothing #65

Something for Nothing #65
digest, 36 pages, free (send stamps)
This is the Tape Issue of Something for Nothing. Idy has dug out his cassette tape collection and written reviews of all the cassette only releases that he has. There are a bunch of them, so the bulk of this issue is taken up by that. But he also squeezes in some beverage reviews, “Kinko’s I’ve Been To” (for the old school zine folks), and a piece about how he spent a recent birthday. Whether it’s this issue or another one, it's always worth your time to get your hands on a copy of SfN.
Something for Nothing
516 Third Street NE
Massillon, OH 44646
USA

Something for Nothing #64

Something for Nothing #64
digest, 40 pages, free (send stamps)
Just as you’ve come to expect from Something for Nothing, this issue is packed with interesting and informative reading. Idy reviews the records of three very lesser known punk bands: Group of Individuals, AOS3, and Schwartzeneggar. He also reviews 11 Christian themed books, offering his thoughts and views (from a faithful perspective) along the way. His familiar “______ I’ve Been To” section is about record stores this time around, plus Beverage Reviews are back this issue. Always text heavy and always worth picking up.
Something for Nothing
516 Third Street NE
Massillon, OH 44646
USA

Adventures in the Land of Greasecars and Fireflies

Zine Review: Adventures in the Land of Greasecars and Fireflies

from One Minute Zine Reviews by DJ Frederick

Adventures in the Land of Greasecars and Fireflies

By Sascha Scatter

PO Box 18

Spring Glen NY 12483

This slim zine is a reprint from Slug & Lettuce c. 2004 and had me nodding and smiling from first page to last. InAdventures in the Land of Greasecars and Fireflies, Sascha writes about personal world view, cultural and economic considerations that led to the decision to convert an old diesel vehicle into one that runs alternatively on vegetable oil. A kit was purchased, a workshop and party thrown for the community, and willing hands showed up to help with the process. Sascha’s writing is engaging and informative and this zine just might be an inspiration for your next mechanical project. 

Psionic Plastic Joy #17

Zine Review: Psionic Plastic Joy #17

from One Minute Zine Reviews by DJ Frederick

Psionic Plastic Joy

digest / $2

Jason Rodgers

PO Box 62

Lawrence MA 01842

So now we come to it – the absurdity of writing paper zine reviews within an online blog called One Minute Zine Reviews. I’m plagued by this dichotomy all of the time, and often teeter on the edge of abandoning the digital world altogether. I use the internet as a tool, I remind myself. But what is the tool and who is the user? Or who is the tool and what is the user?

Jason Rodgers has released Psionic Plastic Joy, issue number 17, a compendium of articles, imagery, semi-dadism, anarchy, and beautiful nonsense. The two primary essays in this issue are thematically linked by references to the domestication of humans, which I suspect allows for our enslavement by consumerist culture: Jason delves into concepts of psychic nomadism as a means to remove our shackles, and John Zerzan stares into the eyes of what we call happiness, and doesn’t blink. These articles are both well written and articulate thoughts beyond the typical curve of acceptable discourse in this frenzied and distracted culture. Psionic Plastic Joy also includes a fantastic allegory (parable?) titled “The Tale of One Thousand and One Words” which describes an encounter between The Cook, the Waitress, the Dishwasher and Trickster.

Psionic Plastic Joy is unapologetic about being suspicious of technology, which I am grateful to read for a change. Every email we send, skype call we make, google search we do, etc is monitored by someone, and we just don’t care anymore. We have met Big Brother and he (and she) is us. At least paper mail has to be opened and resealed, and yes that happens too (witnessed by my own receipt of a QSL card from Radio Havana).

By questioning our domestication and creating actions that bring us one step closer to freedom, we can reimagine our lives. Psionic Plastic Joy is a zine about that journey of reimagining and re-creation.

King Cat No. 73

King Cat No. 73

from One Minute Zine Reviews by DJ Frederick

King-Cat Comics and Stories No. 73

$4 ppd

John Porcellino

PO Box 142

So. Beloit IL 61080

johnporcellino.blogspot.com

I have to admire anyone who has released 73 issues of a comic or a zine. The centerpiece of this comic is the hunt for the elusive cuckoo bird (no… really!). There are some other short stories, a top 40 list, and a primer on the 13 lined ground squirrel if you’re into wildlife & natural history. Cool variety. 

Mixt Media Audio Zine Winter 2013

Mixt Media Audio Zine Winter 2013

from One Minute Zine Reviews by DJ Frederick

Ok ... so I got motivated to record one more Mixt Media Audio Zine ... maybe more will follow ... your honest feedback would be appreciated, warm, cool, or in between. 

Mixt Media Audio Zine Winter 2013 can be downloaded here: 

http://radio4all.net/index.php/program/65123