Dildo #2

Dildo #2

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 1/1/08

Dildo #2 / $2 or trade / :20 / 24M / thedildozine@yahoo.com / PO Box 4803, Baltimore, MD 21211 /

Dildo is one of the first new zines I’ve received to review in a while. I had never heard of it, but I’m glad I received it. Nadja’s style is something that is descriptive and poetic without being too condescending or unapproachable. There are a number of different foci in this issue, which includes rants about eir biracial conundrum (what should ey put down on forms), eir time at the Maryland Film Festival, and a show review concerning The Oranges Band and Hot Hot Heat. The fact that Nadja can go forth and make a show review interesting, for example, to everyone that reads the magazine is a special talent that hopefully will continue in future issues of the magazine. The inclusion of “advertisements” as promotional fliers for movies that were shown at the Maryland Film Festival is a nice touch, and allows individuals to go and see movies that might not normally have had such a large audience. The layout is nice, with a number of different fonts and distractions that can keep individuals interested throughout the entirety of this issue of Dildo. For those people that are into comics, there is a mini comic present in this issue called “Stinky Mike”. The comic may only be a few pages but it is a fun read that lets the magazine coast to the finish line with nary a scratch. Make sure to email Nadja and pick up a copy of this magazine, as it is one of the most original and fun zines I’ve read for a while.

Rating: 7.2/10

Cashiers du Cinemart #14

Cashiers du Cinemart #14

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 1/1/08

Cashiers du Cinemart #14 / 1:30 / $5.00 / 92L / PO Box 2401, Riverview MI 48192 / http://www.cahsiersducinemart.com /

I’ve heard of CdC for quite a few years, and I was quite enjoyed when I got a copy of this issue to review. Obviously, the topic fueling this magazine is cinema, and a large section of this focus involves reviewing or otherwise enlightening the general public above movies that they should see. While I came into this zine with a fear that this would be total film-school thesis material, the crew at CdC are very cognoscent of the language they use, trying to keep the reading interesting without being too technical or jargon-laden. The interviewees’ named means absolutely nothing to me, but people like Greydon Clark and John Daniels are incredibly important to those who are currently making movies, and the interviews are both succinct enough and in enough detail that the true importance of these individuals are shown. By far though, the money shot of sorts comes in the massive amount of interviews that CdC thrives on; these aren’t the fifty or hundred-words studies of generality that so many other zines use, but longer and more in-depth views of a movie that makes me want to try to track some of these movies down. Only a few pages of advertisements are to be found in CdC; added to the incredible amount of material, these two factors show CdC as a magazine deserving of your hard-earned $5. And hey, they covered Shock Treatment in detail, as well as enlightening individuals about a movie that never got out of script – the Dieter Movie! A true resource for movie buffs and causal reads alike.

Rating: 8.6/10

Burn In Hell, Buddy #4

Burn In Hell, Buddy #4

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/28/07

Burn In Hell, Buddy #4 / :30 / 40M /

Burn In Hell, Buddy has always been an excellent zine, and the stylistic change into somewhat of a journal-entry zine is done with care. In this issue, the main story arc revolves around VK and Kelly’s trip down south to Georgia, where they meet up with a band of youths that are camping. The entire experience feels surreal, as the youths both act precisely how the stereotype of a teen in the South “should” act and completely against the grain, in the odd, almost-tolerant way they treat VK and Kelly during their trip. Other lands wait VK and Kelly, and each of the events is enough to maintain the high humor and “can’t put it down” feel of this zine. I mean, where else in zinelandia could individuals read about two “grown-ups” playing a Britney Spears dancing game one page, and being attacked by bugs in New Orleans the next? Aside from the actual text, the way in which VK laid out this issue really aids the flow of the narrative. From a collage of different pictures which make up the front cover, to the narrative-relevant pictures strewn about the zine, the use of the visual in this zine is beyond reproach. The narrative style of the zine is comfortable and never feels like someone is coasting along, trying to kick-start an idea. The episodic nature of this zine, coupled with the oft-humorous tales related, ensure a read that will be enjoyed by all. Make sure to e-mail, rather than write VK about this zine - as one can guess, VK is a wanderer and may not be able to pick up eir mail often.

Rating: 7.0/10

you're an angel, you littl edevil

you're an angel, you littl edevil

via she reviews zines by robyn on 1/11/08

(randy robbins)
1/2 letter; 24 pages
$1.00 (po box 17131, anaheim, ca 92817-7131)

a fan zine, this first issue (at least one more is to come) starts a chronology of Devil Girls, the comic creation of Chris Cooper. i struggled to get through this zine. not because of the writing which was really good or the layout, which was about as good as a fan zine can get. my issue was simple: the feminist in me struggles with the Devil Girl imagery. that said, for those who are fans of the drawings, this zine is a must-buy. randy does a great job of cataloging images (both drawn and photographed), and with the promise of more issues, fans should rejoice! i wish i could have gotten into it more because i love learning about new things, but i know that there's tons more people out there who will love this zine than someone like me.

dream whip no. 11

dream whip no. 11

via paper/xerox/staples by adi on 1/16/08

dream whip no. 11 is one of the best zines I’ve read so far. It details the writer’s cross country trip from Texas to California then back across to New York with wonderful bite-sized stories, most of which are devoted to New York. Each snippet of the journey is filled with musings and little-known facts, well-painted descriptions and injected possibilities. In one piece he describes the evolution of subway car graffiti and how the writers still maneuver around the transit authority’s attempts to “clean” up their cars. Another contemplates an elevator and afterlife. The operator shuttles passengers up and below “like some MTA Charon.” With wit and, what I see as, self-honesty and understanding, dream whip beautifully delivers concise ADHD-suited morsels worth every penny of the 3 dollars it costs.

--adi

Hobson's Choice #3

Hobson's Choice #3
Cheeky Observations of Degenerate Life
20 Pages Digest
$1 US, $2 other, Trades

Not much different from the last issue, with a couple notable exceptions. DD does almost all of the writing in this one, and in his opening piece, The Pirates of Cozumel, you get the first real glimpse at his potential. It's a simple 3 page cliche vignette, but it shows promise. The rest is the typical experimental farting around, not terrible, not great. Requisite cut & paste graphics and the cover and centerfold pages are on cool cloudy sky bluestationary paper.

Daniel Dominowski

908 Woodhill Tr

Augusta GA 30909

www.hobsonschoicezine.com

pretend it didn't happen and maybe it will go away #12

pretend it didn't happen and maybe it will go away #12

via she reviews zines by robyn on 1/15/08

(bethany hart)
1/2 letter; 24 pages
$2.00, monstershideoutAThotmailDOTcom

this was another hard zine to make it through. again, it was amazing, but i think it just hit close to home. bethany talks about her grandfather, his illness and passing, and the abuse he inflicted on the family. and it's also about her grandmother, about her dad's side of the family, and how the death of the patriarch in their family started to destroy their family bond. so sad and so familiar. for anyone who has gone through family trauma of any kind, this zine will ring true and is a must-read.

Razorcake Review

Razorcake Review

via Somnambulist Zine by martha grover on 1/11/08

Here is the review of Somnambulist Number nine by Razor cake. Special thanks again to Aron Steinke for his cover art.


SOMNAMBULIST #9
$3, 5 ½” x 8”, photocopied, ? pgs.

By Kurt Morris
Monday, November 26 @ 19:17:19 CST

This issue of Somnambulist primarily deals with Martha’s health issues, including the stress of working on her feet all day in a deli. She visits a couple of doctors to figure out what is wrong with her and also shares some stories not related entirely to the subject. They include a conversation with Peter Bauer and a story about a very strange guy in her life. There is also a piece by her friend Kyle. I really like the cover art of a little girl chewing on a handgun and the layout is simple but it works for me. It’s an interesting read with many parts coming across as Burn Collector-esque. Not bad, not bad. –Kurt Morris (PO Box 14871, Portland, OR97293)

Dachau Tour Guide #1

 

 

Dachau Tour Guide #1

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 1/10/08

I received this from Clamor Magazine, who wanted me to review it. I am, so much later that it isn’t even funny anymore. I’m sorry, guys. This is your average zine, really. Prose pieces about farming and Jessica, the editor’s, life lead into poetry about white bread. Heavy focus is on her ex-boyfriend, which she makes sure that her audiences knows that “She’s not over yet”, and also on her faith, Judaism. I want to gush with positive sentiments about this magazine, but I just simply can’t bring myself to do it. I’ve read this zine already, but it was called various other things and done by countless other authors. Having dated a Jewish girl, this just seems to be common ground, and as a result, I’ve heard this time and time again. The only thing that I can not cheap praising is the discussion on the lasst actual page, where Jessica goes and describes why she shouldn’t be called bisexual, specifically that it “reduces my attractions to people to a merely physical level on a dualistically gendered plane, and this simplifies the infinite levels and facets of interactions that people can have for one another”. Perhaps this last page will bode well for the future of this magazine. I mean, it was fun to read, but it just doesn’t do anything intense for me. If you want a copy, send $1 to DTG, 85 E.Phary #4A, Brooklyn NY 11238.

Rating : 3.4/10

 

 

Zine Review: The Strange Voyage of the Leona Joyce

 

 

Zine Review: The Strange Voyage of the Leona Joyce

via paper/xerox/staples by Mike on 1/5/08

44 pages, mostly text, with 8 photos and 4 drawings.

This compelling zine relays a true-story tale about some friends and a dog that commit to navigate the Mississippi River together for a few months. The narrator and his chums take their ride on a tiny handmade vessel built with found objects scavenged from dumpsters and junkyards. The crew boldly takes their place on the big muddy river amid the chaos of modern commercial barges and luxury cruise ships. Within the story are some feel-good moments and some not-so-fun adventures. Emergencies creep in. For this reader, sitting upon her cushy chair in a climate-controlled room, the narrative is rich. Words reveal that the river is not entirely romantic and tame. After a breakdown on the river, the zine’s author writes a little gem in his log book, “I put the engine together last night by lantern and maglight held in my teeth. It is much nicer to hold a maglight in your mouth if you wrap some duct tape around the end so your teeth have something better to bite on than metal… As long as it keeps running, I’m happy.” So REAL with detail, isn’t it? I recommend this zine to all of those DIY types who crave adventure.
-DeDe

We carry this zine so email us. -Mike

 

 

 

 

Blurt! #1

Blurt! #1

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/23/07

Blurt! #1 / 1:00 / $2 / 112S / http://www.vinylagogo.com / Vinylaprintprint, c/o Lew Huston, 135 Wapallopen Rd, Nescopeck, PA 18635 /

While Lew’s style was really hard to acclimate to during the first few stories in Blurt!, by the twentieth or thirtieth page, one starts to pick up eir’s literary nuances. Blurt!, and more specifically Lew’s fumbling, bumbling attempts with girls, really is reminiscent of certain parts of Atrophy Zine. No one could possibly find a better deal for $2 than Blurt!, as one will take a large chunk of time wading through tens of stories about seemingly nothing. Getting into Steinbeckian levels of description, there are times in Blurt! where Lew loses the forest in pursuit of the trees; there are a few stories in which ey describes being a merch person for a band, but never once (that I read) does ey say which band ey worked with. As for the layout, everything is sharply reproduced and framed in interesting ways, with certain sections sharing the same backdrop. Some of the stories show Lew as extremely naïve, especially those dealing with eir’s corruption into a drinking machine, but this is what Lew intends to do with the zine as a whole. Lew creates this persona of a small town kid that is perpetually learning, experiencing matters to the fullest. There are certain bits of the small town that never leave Lew’s side, and these bits are what make reading Blurt! so fun! These pieces cover such a wide array of Lew’s life that I really do not know where #2 could go, but I know I will be waiting for it eagerly.

Rating: 6.4/10

Blurt! #2

Blurt! #2

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/23/07

Blurt! #2 / 1:00 / $2 / 88S / http://www.vinylagogo.com / Vinylaprintprint, c/o Lew Huston, 135 Wapallopen Rd, Nescopeck, PA 18635 /

This time, Lew actually makes a very interesting and compelling narration of the four years of eir college, going through a few significant others and evolving from a naïve teen to a much more road-worn warrior. While there are still a few times during Blurt! that Lew has missed proofreading , the story is crafted to perfection. Any individual that has attended college, even for the shortest period, will be able to draw parallels from their to Lew’s life, and be that much more affected by the content of this issue. The sheer amount of improvement that Lew has made between just two issues is amazing, by the second issue of Blurt! I couldn’t honestly put the zine down until I had finished it. The layout is still astonishingly simple; border, text, sometimes a chapter/section number, but this works for Lew. Blurt! is not your average zine, as Lew is a great enough writer that I could honestly see this being released as a novel, it winning a number of awards, and finally being included as part of the required reading in college campuses the world over. We are left with a decent ending for this iissue, but put forth in such a way that I want to immediately pick up a copy of issue #3 and figure out what has been happening to Lew in the meanwhile. This rapid desire of mine is paradoxical: I may hate reality TV, but I love expertly written zines like Blurt!.

Rating: 8.6/10

Bob #3

Bob #3

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/24/07

Bob #3 / :30 / $2.00 / 32L / Outhouse Publishing, 30 Locust Avenue, Westmont, NJ 08108 / http://www.njghost.com /

The layout of Bob is always something to look forward to, and this issue is no exception. With a smart use of white space, each page gives the reader enough in terms of information without seeming in the least bit cluttered or conversely, too Spartan. Coming out before the Presidential election, this issue of Bob has taken on a more political-themed bent than the previous issue, focusing on the mayoral campaign of a true independent, Tommy Avallone, as well as a rating system for a host of electoral parties in the United States. The latter piece was interesting because it did not just focus on the two major parties and two or three large third parties, but went as far to include the American Nazi Party and the Light Party, which “promotes holistic medicine, … organic foods” and has a leader that “claims the party has “millions” of supporters. However, the editor of Bob falls time and time again into the same pitfall, which is making each and every piece in this issue about 20% too long. Most problematic would be the interview with Bert Katz, which tops the scales at over 8 full pages. Interviews can be interesting, but I felt that this was more of an autobiographical piece instead of a minor focus on an artist. Still, this issue of Bob ends strongly, with a discussion about an artist’s “Constitutional Cow” and the political issues that surrounded it. A nice smattering of influences, the issue struggles through the extreme lengths of the artist.

Rating: 7.2/10

Boggob #27

Boggob #27

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/24/07

Boggob #27 / $3 / 36 Pages / Full-Sized / Age Statement / boggob@aol.com / PO Box 4425, Chattanooga, TN 37405 /

While Boggob is one of the better scene-oriented, free (to those Chattanoogies) zines, the fact is that the horror focus of the zine gets annoying fast. The zine isn’t politically correct in the least, but isn’t as bad as say Fat Nugs, and the selling point of the magazine for me would have to be the lengthy reviews. The reviews, while covering bands that are fairly famous (like Story of the Year and Ian Anderson), are written in a very detailed manner, ensuring that all facets of the album are covered. The amount of advertisements in this issue is something that can be looked over, as the zine is one that is free for a large section of its readers. The interviews in this issue are primarily written in a piece-format, instead of the tired question/answer format. Focusing on horror is just one facet of Boggob, while the other focus would have to be on any form of media – this time, we are assaulted by pieces on movies, television shows, and the like. Some of the pieces, such as “Diarrhea of a Madman”, are completely untied to anything else in the magazine – which gives Boggob a random feel that shakes up the horse-with-blinders feel of the rest of the magazine. However, the fiction in this issue is absolutely atrocious, “Hit and Run” being a simply gash short story in which Fenris Lupis (wolf wolf, I get it, har har) is hit by a teacher. If you are in Chattanooga, pick this up, otherwise I see no purpose in paying so much for this zine.

Rating: 5.5/10

Slug #227

Slug #227

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/24/07

Slug #227 / Free / 64M / 1:30 / http://www.slugmag.com /

The individuals that work to create Slug Magazine are nice. So nice, in fact, that they send NeuFutur 3 copies of the magazine an issue. This issue provides individuals with probably their last glimpse of skateboarding in Utah (or in Utah print) until everything warms back up. In order to hold individuals over until then, there is perhaps the most skateboarding related content in this issue that I’ve ever seen in Slug. There are reviews of boards, different interviews with skateboarders, and the like – enough for those individuals to go into hibernation until the spring, stuffed with the nourishment of material that Slug provided. Beyond the skateboarding information, there are pieces regarding the mayoral election in Salt Lake City, the continued ordeals of Marty Kasteler (a bicycler that was hit by a delivery van), and the story about the importance of Boy George as important in the lives of Oomingmak and Boudica Juicyfruit. The amount of advertisements in this issue feels a little bit larger than in previous issues, but it may just be my own perception. However, as is always the case with issues of Slug, the quality of the writings in this issue are strong enough to make up for flipping through the advertisements. Individuals that want to know what albums they should buy from the holiday season should look into thee very detailed and interesting reviews put forth by Slug. If you are local, pick up Slug. If you have a few extra bucks, throw it to them and they will send you a copy.

Rating: 6.8/10

Brown Eye Pie #5

Brown Eye Pie #5

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/26/07

Brown Eye Pie #5 / $1 / :20 / 44M / http://www.browneyepie.com / POB 172, Muskegon, MI 49443 /

For being called Brown Eye Pie, there is just not enough talk about poop. Sure, the interview that was conducted with the Fleshies is full of brown goodness, but the vast majority of pieces in this issue just do not have anything to do with shit. Other pieces seem to drag on a little too long for proper enjoyment – while I do agree with what is said about suicide (that it is not necessarily a coward’s way to go), the fact that the discussion takes up the majority of five pages in a very small font really makes readers want to turn off. Not to say that there are no impressive pieces in this zine – for example, the brief interludes featuring different types of graffiti is nice, while the pictures of kittens just really make me wonder, as they are just so out of place in this zine. Different pictures also break up some of the longer pieces present in Brown Eye Pie, but to be honest I have no clue who most of the bands that BEP covers are. That would be a positive, but if there are just two pictures and the band name Dirt E. Twat, I honestly have no clue what they sound like. One of the pieces, the center-fold that describes the various nicknames for the pubic regions, has been done to death – while I can understand how it is funny, most people into zine culture probably have seen some iteration of it in the past.

Rating: 6.9/10

(The Incredibly True Adventures of a Kid and His Starship) #1

(The Incredibly True Adventures of a Kid and His Starship) #1

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/27/07

“The Sex Issue” - Really, the title does better about telling a potential reader about what this issue of the zine is about than any job I could do. Still, the story is about Vermicious Knid’s adventures with outdoor sex and his partner Kelly. The politics of circumstance strike Vermicious Knid badly both times, as the sex is interrupted both times to amusing factors. Now, I’m too much of a wimp to ever have outdoor sex, but what Vermicious Knid describes in the zine really puts me off outdoor sex that much more. I mean, what happens both times (I am purposely being vague to leave the mystique of the magazine complete) seems almost too hard to believe, but are just enough in the realm of the realistic to scare the bejesus out of me. The zine is pretty small, and Vermicious Knid apologizes for it, but it is still totally worth the money ($1 postpaid I believe) that the editor sells it for. This is not an one-shot zine, so you may be able to go get a later issue of this zine, as I am not totally sure if a new issue has been released. The zine is not all text either, and the background pictures really do a good job in foreshadowing events that happen later in the narrative. Send the money or equivalent trade to Lupine Ladies Press, PO Box 543, Accokeek MD 20607.

Rating : 7.8/10

(The Incredibly True Adventures of a Kid and His Starship) #2

(The Incredibly True Adventures of a Kid and His Starship) #2

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/27/07

(The Incredibly True Adventures of a Kid and His Starship) #2 : The Reactionary Issue / Fourth-Sized / 16 Pages / Trade / Lupine Ladies Press, PO Box 543, Accokeek MD 20607

Jamez’ zines are always just so interesting that I feel that I am just babbling on for about 250 words or so just extolling ey’s virtues. But, if you go through all the layers, there is some actual truth to this worship, as the zine (very short read) details some of the adventures that ey has had in the starship/car Vermes (as if you couldn’t tell!). Detailed in this issue are two random encounters that Jamez had while driving Vermes, including a self-affirmation letter by two guys and a very interesting phrase spoken by a woman. I lump both of these writings together because the styles that they are written in are so similar that they just seem to work well together. The background of each page is a photograph that actually works really well with the piece at hand, something that NeuFutur can’t say anything about. When I brought this zine home, I wasn’t sure if I had reviewed this issue before because I read this zine so much. If you want to get a copy of this, write Jamez. Ey will regale you with many of the stories that makes this zine so interesting and so higly regarded.

Rating : 7.8/10

Burn In Hell, Buddy #3

Burn In Hell, Buddy #3

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/28/07

Burn In Hell, Buddy #3 / Fourth-Sized / 16 Pages / Trade / Lupine Ladies Press, PO Box 543, Accokeek MD 20607

As many people have read my reviews of the first two issues of Burn In Hell, Buddy, I’m not really sure what to say about this zine that I haven’t already said. Done in the same geometric cut and paste style of the first two issues, this issue (subtitled “The Pennsylvania Girls Issue”, details all of the relationships that Vermicious has had during the lifespan of the Starship Vermes. Being updated slightly about Vermicious’ life, the reading audience knows that Vermes is long gone, briefly being replaced by a Mazda, and by Vermicious’ current car, Morgan Anne (which is plush and absolutely fabulous – I had the pleasure to take a trip in it!). The significant others in this issues are just very briefly talked about, again being passed over for the relationship that Vermicious had with Vermes, but there are still very deep emotions being expressed in just a few sentences. For example, in detailing Sara, Vermicious discusses a time in which they left Vermes to play on a bridge, to which V says “If every night had been that god, we would have stayed together forever”. The information put out in each issue of Burn In Hell, Buddy is vital for trying to learn any bit of information from a very secretive Vermicious Knid, and even after meeting V in real life, I still feel as if Burn in Hell, Buddy has been more informative than actual contact.

Rating : 7.9/10

The Die Volume 3, Issue 2

 

The Die Volume 3, Issue 2

via NeuFutur Magazine by admin on 12/25/07

The Die Volume 3, Issue 2 / Free / :30 / Red Roach Press, PO Box 764, College Park, MD 20740 / http://redroachpress.com /

The Die is the equivalent of a college newspaper, although 90% of the material is compiled by Joe Smith, the editor. This issue begins with a number of short news blurbs (a la AP news) and then goes into the crux of the magazine relatively fast – the interview with a Socrates scholar takes up two and a half of the zines 16 pages. The tie to Socrates is the dominating force in this issue, as the later book reviews give a good amount of text space to different works concerning the master philosopher. The other major work that is covered in the book review section is an American classic – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and the reviewer ties the piece to the eternal problem that concerns those in power – corruption. The zine ends with a number of different reviews and letters – The Die is one of the few zines that only focuses on zine reviews instead of the disproportionate focus that most zines have on music (oftentimes at the expense of completely excising the zine reviews from print). Finishing up this issue with a number of re-printed letters, The Die is a zine that really maintains a philosophy that is open-ended and open for debate, the positive style that is lauded so much in the earlier pages of this issue. There is really no reason that people shouldn’t try o search out a copy of this magazine, as it is well-written, open-minded, and best of all completely and utterly free!

Rating: 7.0/10