The NewPages Zine Rack
Number 36 (Posted Feb 7, 2007)
Zines reviewed by Sean Stewart
This will be my final NewPages Zine Rack column. After five straight years (with the exception of a little break a couple of years ago), I now find myself with much less time to devote to this project. My policy has always been to only review a zine after reading it carefully cover to cover, and I just can’t maintain that level of commitment anymore. I’m somewhat regrettably reading a lot less in general these days.
I’m grateful to Casey Hill for inviting me to start this project back while I was still in library school. I should also probably thank Chris Dodge and Sandy Berman, because it was their passions to share and make connections that first put Casey in touch with me. Getting this gig was my initial introduction to the vast underground library networking system. I learned quickly that librarians sure know how to network!
It’s my hope that someone will step up and take over the Zine Rack. I would very much like to see it continue on as a part of the amazing resource that NewPages has become. So if you’re interested, please get in touch with Casey or me. Also, if you’ve been sending zines directly to me for review, please now send them instead to the NewPages address (listed on the sidebar to your right). Now, on with the reviews!
22 Nights and 23 Days:
Diary of #1J, Drug Study Subject
Inspired by Guinea Pig Zero, #1J fills this zine with journal documentation of a 3-week long drug study that she participated in. A seasoned drug study subject, #1J confidently takes the reader through the entire process, from finding out about the study and being screened to her days and nights staying at the lab. For anyone who has wondered about those drug study ads in the paper, this should answer most, if not all, questions that may have arisen in your head. It’s interesting reading, if a bit tedious in some parts. But I suppose it was the attention to detail that ultimately convinced me that drug studies are likely not for me. [5.5” x 8.5”, $1 US/$2 CAN/$3 World or SASE w/39 cents postage or a super cool trade, c/o Lawrence ABC, PO Box 1483, Lawrence, KS 66044]
Cryptozoa
By Androo Robinson
Sometimes I feel like the zine book market has reached its saturation point. Publishing their zine in book form has rapidly become what zinesters do to take it to the next level. I’m somewhat ambivalent about this trend. Some of these books I have been happy to see, but others seem marginal. This, however, is not the case with Androo’s collection of single panel stories. Undoubtedly most of Androo’s little photocopied zines and comics have long since disappeared from print, and that’s a shame. Except that now you can find them in this no-nonsense utilitarian collection published by SevenTen Bishop. Androo’s art and writing is strange, whimsical, thought provoking, and often humorous. He’s a true original, and this book is just further proof. [5.25” x 8”, $14.95 + $3 S/H, ISBN 0971213267, mail@seventenbishop.com or 312-243-7338, www.seventenbishop.com]
Dream Whip
No. 14
Having been a fan of this zine for a while, I knew it would not disappoint, despite it also having graduated to a perfect-bound paperback form. Bill’s words are like fibrous lengths of jute, and he threads them around and through your mind until you’re all bound up in his sprawling travel tales. He’s quietly opinionated, and although he never divulges too much of himself, by the end of his stories he’s dropped enough strategic hints that you get some kind of picture of who he is. Maybe it’s not always the same portrait, but I think it’s probably pretty close. Straightforward, calming yet wistful prose that reads well under a big cottonwood tree in the waning afternoon light, or anywhere, really. The tales are interspersed with Bill’s little descriptive drawings. Highly recommended! [4.25” x 5.5”, $8 + S/H, ISBN 0977055787, joe@microcosmpublishing.com, www.microcosmpublishing.com]
[list]
#9
“Summer/Baltimore.” This one was well worth the wait. As the title implies, Ramsey’s zine is comprised of a series of lists. It’s an interesting way to approach a personal zine. Maybe there is a little more control over what information gets shared, but we still learn a lot about Ramsey from her lists. There are lists about her dog, her new living quarters in Baltimore, things she’d like to change, plans for the future, memories, and a lot more. And there are even some guest lists from readers! Definitely an entertaining read. [5.5” x 8.5”, $2, ramseybeyer@gmail.com]
Scrappy
#1: Stitches
I think this is the first craft zine I’ve ever reviewed. I know I’ve reviewed some zines that had craft ideas in them, but this one is literally jam-packed with craft projects! What’s cool about this is that Niku starts out by showing some helpful stitches and giving her thoughts on machine versus hand sewing. Then there are sections on closures and embellishments to sweaters; how to make a simple A-line skirt; pillowcases; curtains; pillows; craft aprons; Christmas stockings, and lots more. Definitely recommended for anyone who is into DIY crafting, or who wants to find out more about the many projects that are possible. [5.5” x 8.5”, $4 US/4.50 CAN/4.70 MEX/6 World, Niku Arbabi, msfilms@hotmail.com]
Slushpile
#5
“The Protest Issue.” The Underground Literary Alliance (ULA) is a group of writers and literary activists who are interested in shaking up the mainstream literary world and exposing it for the exclusive club that the ULA perceives it to be. This zine collects documentation of all of the ULA’s essential actions to date. One can’t help but be impressed by the passion of the Alliance. They seem to have their hearts in the right place, although their fight may well be endless and is certainly of a monumental scale. Included in this zine are accounts of the ULA press conference at CBGB’s rock club in NYC, protests of the 2001 Firecracker Alternative Book Awards for their awarding of McSweeney’s as Best Zine of 2001, selections from the ULA website’s Monday Report, and tales of various drunken disruptions of NYC literary readings. ULA gadfly King Wenclas figures large in these reports. Check this out for a good introduction to what the ULA is all about. [5.5” x 8.5”, $5, www.literaryrevolution.com]
Sybil’s Garage
No. 3
Speculative fiction is one of those terms that has been muddied in meaning over the years that it’s been in use. As I am not well versed in the current nuances of science fiction and related genres, I’m not going to attempt to define it. Let’s just say there’s some connection to science fiction here. This zine is a well-produced litzine featuring fiction, poetry, and art. The poetry did the least for me, but I am not much of a poetry fan, so that’s not saying anything about the quality of these particular poems. Some of the fiction appealed to me, and I found the two interviews, with Hoboken artist Jim Hans and writer Kelly Link to be interesting. The artwork and photography was intriguing and effectively complemented the text. If you are a fan of Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, you might enjoy this, so definitely give it a try. [7” x 8.5”, $7, 307 Madison St., #3L, Hoboken, NJ 07030, info@sensesfive.com, www.sensesfive.com]
Tales of Mere Existence
III
“The 7 Habits of Highly Negative People.” This is an entertaining collection of self-deprecating and mildly sardonic comics featuring commentary on relationships, social ineptitude, and a healthy touch of pop culture mockery. The real treat here, though, is the included DVD of 10 uniquely hand-animated humorous cartoons narrated by Lev. Really funny stuff!! [8.5” x 11”, $12 + $1.50 S/H, Lev/Ingredient X, 430 15th Ave. No. 6, San Francisco, CA 94118, illeverent@yahoo.com, www.ingredientx.com]
This Is Still America
Book One
“It’s the Same Every Time.” From what I can understand of this, the entire comic relates a single dream. It’s somewhat esoteric, but that just serves to skillfully represent the dream in print and illustration. A boy of 9 takes a trip on an airplane by himself that merges with childhood scenes relating social problems at school and ill feelings toward an absentee father. The scenes all tie vaguely together in some way with the airplane flight. I liked George’s unique drawing style and the front and back covers are some of the most striking I’ve seen on a mini-comic. Recommended. [7” x 7”, $2, George c/o Barry Matthews, 35-30 73rd St., Apt. 1H, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, george@secretacres.com,]
You Don’t Get There From Here
It’s good to see Carrie back with a new comic after the demise of Assassin and the Whiner. In this new comic, Carrie takes a page from Ben Snake Pit’s approach to comics and creates 3-panel daily comics for a period of a few months. With Carrie’s skills, she easily pulls this off to great success. It’s interesting to read this and think about how different it is from Snake Pit. It will be nice if Carrie sticks with this format, but even if she doesn’t there’s no doubt in my mind that whatever she chooses to publish next will be an awesome read. Definitely check this one out, as well as Carrie’s new book available from Tugboat Press! [4.25” x 5.5”, $2, Carrie McNinch, PO Box 49403, Los Angeles, CA 90049, cmcninch@gmail.com]
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