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(note, certain zines listed in profile section may no longer be available)
HSS Reader #6 ($2.00)
A handy dandy pocket-book of stories, reviews, and interviews. HSS has a per-zine feel to it, but comes from more than one person, and covers the lives of several people. This particular issue reviews not only music, but a couple of artist websites. Crafting instructions can also be found, as well as a travel diary (European style). If all that isn’t enough, there are also interviews with a pair of similar, yet unrelated, political film-makers. HSS is an eclectic zine, with a little bit of everything. Nice layouts, good text, and a few comics as well. 40 pages long, quarter-legal size.
Hatch! Mister Sister ($2.00)
I’ve been sitting at my computer, trying to come up with the perfect review of this zine, and I’m just not sure how to start. You see, it’s vital that I find a way to communicate not only the genuine quality and entertainment within these pages, but also the social and cultural significance that it contains. Hatch tells the story Mary and her son, Asher. The loving relationship between these two is of key importance as we follow the story of Asher’s childhood, infancy through entrance to grade school. The twist on this story is Asher’s gender identity. Asher was born a biological female, but quickly expressed himself as feeling male. How does a mother deal with this situation, especially when the father and step-mother don’t agree with the course of action to be taken? This story is one of gender crisis, not only within the lives of a handful of people, but also within our country, and the world at large. Hatch tells the very personal story of an awesome little kid trying to establish his spot in the world, but it’s also a bigger story. The gender revolution is the next movement towards our ultimate attempt and becoming civilized, and little zines like this are huge steps in a positive direction. If you have any interest in topics like gender or sexuality, this is a must. Quarter-size, 36 pages.
Hypocritical Mass ($2.00)
My roommate, Mr. Puppy Dave, came home from work a few weeks ago with some hot inside information. "Want to read the newest bit of hilarity to hit the Chicago Zine Scene?" he asked me. He then hands me a copy of Hypocritical Mass, hot off the presses he helped to operate at a nearby copy-shop. He helped me flip to his favorite parts, such as "Things That Rule" (White Castle Sliders, Ice In The Urinals, etc.) and "Things That Suck" (Geology, Eggs, Freegans, etc.), reading them outloud so we could laugh together. However, it wasn't until just recently that I went and bought my own copy from Quimbys and finished reading the rest of the articles, which keep up a constant and consistant stream of sarcastic and dry humor jokes. Several different writers take turns making fun of a little bit of everything, from monster truck rallies to duets with grandma, all in a very down to earth tone, avoiding all pretentiousness (thank God). All that, plus some interviews, packed into a nice little forty-four page zine.
Hypocritical Mass #3 ($2.00)
Another great issue with even more jaded opinions about life. Many of the stories are outdated (Tsunami, underpass Virgin Mary) but amusing nonetheless. A funny story about Ross like, smoking too much weed or something, some interviews with American Idol rejects, a GREAT interview with Ray St. Ray, Chicago’s singing cab driver, and a mix of other weird and funny stuff. And of course, “Things that Rule”, “Things that Suck”, the funniest thing you could ever want to read outloud to your friends. Half-legal size, 44 pages.
I Often Think of Them When it Snows ($1.50)
This is a bit of a tough zine to review, cuz it has a little bit of everything in here. This zine was written by my friend Wes, who works up at the Music Box. A variety of personal thoughts and expressions are expressed in a variety of ways. By far, his drawings are my favorite parts. He seems to struggle with productivity, and has used a new zine as an excuse to do something. It worked. A highlight is the Resume comic that he drew, talking about previous jobs he’s had to deal with. A fun zine, nothing too heavy. Entertaining read while you’re waiting for a bus sort of thing. Half size, 24 pages.
I Often Think of Them When it Snows #2 ($1.50)
This second issue is a little bit of everything. It starts out with a personal account of how Wes got into music, and talks specifically about how the punk culture has effected him. He then goes on to share his resume with us, which includes comics he’s drawn himself and is nothing short of the best resume I’ve ever seen. Clip art, photos, letters from from friends, and some random stories can also be found. And then, of course, there is a great interview with the band This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb. Half-size, 32 pages.
I Really Stepped In It This Time #6 ($3.00)
Brian is one of my East Coast connections, living the dream out in Baltimore, city of legends. His zine is panel comic sort of deal where he talks about his daily interactions with the world around him, not unlike SnakePit or Ten Foot Rule. What does Brian do? Parties, drinks, goes to shows, plays in bands, goes on dates, goes to work, and takes occasional road trips. His boss, Ted, is rad. What else do you need to know? Sweet color cover collage, and a cool centerfold portrait of him, drawn by his friend Erin. Half size, 28 pages.
Ian! #1(preview issue) ($0.50, or free with other purchase)
This is the first issue, sort of a sneak peak actually, of Ian’s Monthly Magazine. Cut and paste style, with erotic romance text serving as a background, while near-nude photos of Ian lying in a bathtub serve as our foreground. Short and sweet, a bit of a tease… Fun to read, leaves you craving more. Half size, 8 pages.
Ian Monthly Magazine #1 ($4.00)
Well, here it is, ladies and gentlemen! The amateur porn rag you’ve all been craving! This first issue is the “barely legal – porn culture – naked parties – America” issue. Page after page of naked photos of Ian, one of Chicago’s most notorious party animals, laying it all out for his handful of adoring fans. Or shall I say laying his HANDFUL out for ALL his adoring fans? We see him naked at a party, naked on a bed, naked near a girl… American flags serve as running motif, as does absolute ridiculous trashiness. Spots of text mention things like the World Naked Bike Ride, and also lead us to the end pages, which show pictures of various girls mud-wrestling. If you want to see weird naked pictures of some dude you may or may not know, then here’s your chance. This zine is FULL SIZE (get it?), 26 pages long, and features a full color cover. And sorry kids, you must be 18 to order this one….
Incendiary Words Vol. II #7 ($1.00)
The May 2002 edition of the newsletter which is used to keep sports fans informed as to what’s going on in the world of indoor soccer. Soccer trivia, convention reports, and information about “The Chicago FanAddicts”, a local booster club who support our own Chicago Fire. 9 pages, full size, corner-stapled.
Incendiary Words Vol. II #8 ($1.00)
July 2002, “Substance over image.” This issue is 4 pages, full size, and corner-stapled. An interesting World Cup preview (looking more at the World Cup at large, not just the specific games). Other soccer news, trivia, and schedules.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #1 ($1.00)
September 2002. Article about the World Cup, updates on various soccer leagues, and more soccer trivia. More soccer insanity from Steve “Pudgy” DeRose.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #2 ($1.00)
Nov, 2002. Review of the A-League Championship, and the Milwaukee Rampage, the Chicago Fire's disappointing elimination from the playoffs, and Steve's standard trivia. Full size, 5 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #3 ($1.00)
January 2003. The latest soccer news. The Chicago Fire makes a coaching change, review of Open Cup 2002, and other news and trivia. Full size, 4 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #4 ($1.00)
March 2003. Dates and info on the upcoming soccer season, a piece on Ben Collins, and the FanAddicts "Player of the Year" award, and other trivia and news.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #6 ($1.00)
July 2003. Revisions on the Indoor Soccer scoring system, Women's World Cup, "Soccer As a Political Statement", a review of the 2003 Championship, and more. Full size, 10 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. III #7 ($1.00)
September 2003. Review of the latest United Soccer Boosters' Convention, and their discussion on the difficult financial situation they are in. A piece on the politics of soccer booster clubs. Also lists the complete schedule for this season's indoor soccer games. Full size, 10 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. IV #1 ($1.00)
December 2003. A review of how the Chicago Fire won their 3rd US Open Cup. Of course, some soccer trivia. An article on Landon Donovan, the US Soccer Player of the Year. There's also an article in here about internet security, with tips on how to stay safe. Full size, 8 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. IV #2 ($1.00)
March 2004. News about what's going on with the Chicago FIRE, including what's up with their new stadium. There's a piece about the U.S. Open Cup structure set. Also a really nice part about the indoor soccer All-Star Game, which took place in Cleveland back in 2002. Full size, 10 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. IV #3 ($1.00)
June 2004. Soccer is back in session, after the standard 8 months off! Find out what Steve "Pudgy" DeRose has to say about the upcoming season! Stories on the Women's National team, the local teams, and all the different tournaments. Includes Chicago Fire team schedule. Full size, 7 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. IV #4 ($0.50)
Summer 2004. Now you can get all the same great soccer info for only half the price! Fifty cents, you better pick up this full size, corner-stapled zine! The summer 2004 issue features a report on the United Soccer Boosters Convention, how the USA Women's National Team won gold in Greece, and discussion on Chicago's own team, the FIRE! You'll also get the old favorites, such as soccer word finds, and Pudgy's super-stumping soccer trivia! Seven full-size pages, get it while you can!
Incendiary Words Vol. V #1 ($0.50)
December 2004. The latest info on soccer schedules, awards, and season summaries. Steve talks about the great season of the Chicago Magic, as well as the not so great season of the Chicago Fire. This issue does have a nice personal touch, with Steve giving a short history of all the journalism he has done, covering soccer matches all over the country for the past two decades. This issue is full size, 9 pages long.
Incendiary Words Vol. V #2 ($0.50)
March 2005. Team schedules, reviews of internet sites, and tips on what to do when soccer boosters start to burn out. All the important, and up to date, information about soccer, mostly indoor soccer. This issue also talks about the 2005 United Soccer Boosters Convention. Full size, 9 pages, corner stapled.
Incendiary Words Vol. V #3 ($0.50)
June 2005. The big news of this issue centers around the events surrounding Peter Wilt, who was recently dismissed as the President of the Chicago Fire, a move that numerous soccer supporters disagreed with. This issue also talks about the Milwaukee Wave winning the MISL championship. Also lots of other stories and information concerning the World Cup, some soccer websites, and the 2005 booster convention. Full size, 9 pages, corner stapled.
Incendiary Words Vol. V #4 ($0.50)
September 2005. This issue starts out with a story about the USA qualifying to compete in the 2006 World Cup, to be held in Germany. The U.S. news continues on the next page, with a story about several 2005 Hall of Fame inductees. There are also some stories about various indoor soccer leagues, and a very touching piece about the passing of Paul Kitson, a long time soccer player, coach, and trainer, someone Steve has admired for some time. Full size, 6 pages, corner-stapled.
Incendiary Words Vol. VI #1 ($0.50)
December 2005. This issue came out early, as Steve had to finish it up before heading to Japan for the FIFA Club Championships (which we will hear about in March). In these pages you find info about the LA Galaxy, Kasey Keller (player of the year), and a schedule of Chicago Storm games. Steve has also written a lengthy article about Indoor Soccer and the motion picture industry. Full size, 8 pages, corner-stapled.
Incendiary Words Vol. VI #2 ($0.50)
March 2006. The number one soccer zine continues to push forward, giving all you boosters out there your fix of soccer madness! This one starts out with a review of the 2005 Toyota Cup that took place in Japan, reminding us of what we might have missed. From there it goes into the All-Star game in Milwaukee. The rest of the issue is a bit more personal that what we are used to, which is nice, as Steve talks about his trip to Tokyo, as well as his experiences meeting with LiveJournal people, IN REAL LIFE! Imagine… Anyway, this issue is full size, 12 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. VI #3 ($0.50)
June 2006. This issue starts out a lengthy discussion of Team USA’s World Cup history, sizing up past teams with the current one. What sort of chance does the team have to win it all this year? Read what Pudgy has to say about it… Also talk of the US Open Cup, an article on the Baltimore Blast, a TV soccer schedule, and other soccer info. And for a bit of fun, there’s a word search half way through, with names of US players hidden in a mess of letters. Full size, 14 pages long.
Incendiary Words Vol. VI #4 ($0.50)
September 2006. Opening story is about the scoring changes for the Major Indoor Soccer League. The next story discusses how and why the US World Cup team failed to make it into the finals (Pudgy believes poor officiating was a major cause). Other areas of soccer are covered as well, including Fifa, the Women’s National team, and the Chicago Storm. The zine finishes out with an article concerning the overall state of soccer in the US, and various attempts to make it “Family-friendly.” Full size, 8 pages.
Incendiary Words Vol. VII #1 ($0.50)
Dec 2006. Gotta finish out 2006, right? Well, do it with another issue of IW! This one starts out with Chicago’s very own Fire winning the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup! Complete highlights and game breakdown are here to make sure you never forget those glorious moments! Also some FIFA stories and a little ditty on the USA Men’s National Team. Of course, now that it’s cold it’s time for indoor soccer! Luckily, this issue has a complete schedule of all of this season’s Chicago Storm games. Your complete soccer zine, here again! Full size, 9 pages.
Indigo #16 ($4.00)
Michelle starts off with a list of excuses to explain the delay in this issue’s creation. Ya know, the typical and trivial things, such as school, becoming a teacher, and true love. Some of these topics are expanded upon later on, with great details. Other zine topics include pen pals(!) of which I am a big fan, as well as slam books, friendship books, and other such things. Towards the end there is even an interview with Michelle! Half size, 28 pages.
Jakes on a Train #1 ($1.50)
This first issue is limited to only 100 copies, and was published in the spring of 2008. JoaT is a short zine full of nothing but flicks and pics, created by some of Chicago’s better known graffiti and street art kids. For anyone involved in Chicago street culture, you’ll recognize the names and images immediately, but even if you don’t recognize the names you’ll still dig the images. Some photos of Chicago street art, as well as original drawings made just for this zine. Contributors include Stomach, Brooks Golden, The Viking, Goons, and others. A cool bit of documentation, and I hope to see more in the future. Quarter-size, 20 pages. For more info, go to jakesonatrain.blogspot.com.
Jinx Removing #7 ($1.00)
This issue of Jinx Removing is subtitled “what punk rock means to us”, and is filled with stories from all different people. This is not meant to be a guide of any sort, but rather just a chance for some kids to talk about the things that are important to them. Beer, bands, dancing, running for mayor… The stories are across the board, which is really nice. You hear the growing up stories from a lot of different folks, and at no point does it seem condescending towards “non-punks”, something that could have easily happened. Most of the stuff is type-written prose, but of course there are a few of your standard Jinx Removing comics in here as well, not to mention some cool photos. I think this is the biggest JR yet, weighing in at 40 pages, half size.
Jinx Removing #8 ($1.00)
Arpad is back to his old tricks, sketching out comics about work, shows, and living in the city. This issue is all cartoons and comics, in a couple different styles, but all clearly from Arpad’s pen. Riding trains, and trying to figure out what makes your work worth doing. Cool pictures, and a good overall feeling when you’ve read through it all. Half size, 20 pages.
Jinx Removing #10 ($2.00)
If you dig Arpad’s writing, I’d say #9 is the issue you need, but if you dig his comics, then without doubt, you need issue #10. This is a bigger, thicker issue, all comics, and with a beautiful red cover. Records, braces, parties, and drunken punk rock mayhem! And of course, none of the people are people, they are animals! Kitties and bunnies and weird snowmen guys tell us all these stories. Half size, 24 pages.
Jinx Removing #12 ($2.00)
Arpad just keeps on drawing! Society busted his hand with a nasty bike wreck in an attempt to try and slow him down, but it just didn’t work! So here is issue number 12. This one is full size, giving him some room to sketch out those paneled comics that he likes so much. Subject matter is along the same lines as he usually hits up, things like the types of girls he likes, rants about jerks, and a dose of deep-thinking meta-physical. This issue also archives several different flyers he’s drawn over the past year. Full-size, 32 pages long.
Judas Goat Quarterly #14 ($1.50)
"Got Panic? Why the Rapidly Approaching End of the World is so Damn Funny". Heh. This is the Summer 2002 issue, and kicks off with a look at all the thing the Reagan Administration has done for us, then moves into a piece on my friend Stu Helm, who was sued by Kraft for lots of money. Other pieces about money, Homeland Security, and other funny little cartoons and jokes. Full size, 20 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #15 ($1.50)
Fall 2002. Reflections on a the year after Sep 11, short history on US involvement in the Middle East, lots of talk about Bush and his determination to go to war, and some great made up (or is it?) dialog between Bush and Dick. Also, a funny clip-art page about election day.
Judas Goat Quarterly #16 ($1.50)
Winter 2002 edition. "Okay, first the bad news: we're all fucking doomed." More humor at the expense of those we're told to follow, and more pictures of Bush looking stupid. A fictional story about life in the White House, reflections on being a substitute teacher, and funny cartoons with (drum roll) political messages. Full size, 20 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #18 ($1.50)
Rumsfeld graces this cover, looking as pleasant as ever. This is the Summer of 2003 issue, and has lots of stuff making fun of Dubya, making fun of people who use guns (Guns are for sissies!), and a piece about a possible connection between Bush being president and all the porno spam that floats around on the internet. Also a long story about vampires. Full size, 20 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #24 ($1.50)
Winter of 2004. This issue opens up with a few stories and articles about the reelected Bush, from various angles (why it sucks, why we should still be positive….) From there it goes into a rather depressing (yet still humorous) account of what it’s like to be a substitute teacher in the Chicagoland high schools. Other stories include subjects like tuberculosis, Hiroshima, a predictions of the future! Full size, 20 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #25 ($1.50)
Spring ’05. Lots of serious stuff in here, topics like the end of the world, the fighting in Iraq, and the Cold War, but also some lighter pieces, such as the article on Hunter S. Thompson. Also plenty of jokes and satire, as well as the general cynicism and sarcastic nature that goes along with any issue of JGQ. Oh, and of course the recollection of Grant’s dream about Martin Scorsese. Full size, 20 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #28 ($1.50)
The Winter ’05 issue of JGQ, and I guess things still suck. Politically that is. Grant continues his hobby of being monitored by the government by putting out another stapled piece of radical propaganda. Views on the war in Iraq, mock advertisements for Hummers and DNA Registry, and a dramatic dialog about torture and interrogations. Some articles are lighter (review of SIMS 2), but for the most part this is more cynical satire of our troubled political system. Y’all know about the Goat by now. If you like it, you love it. Full size, 18 pages.
Judas Goat Quarterly #29 ($1.50)
Spring 06. What? You don’t have a subscription to JGQ yet? Well, keep buying them from Loop Distro then! This issue covers the typical range of horrible politics, focusing mainly on the upcoming possibility of human extinction. Temperatures rise, sea levels rise, smog is getting worse…. What do we have, about another 100 years before the majority of us are gone? That’s what Grant is predicting. Also a transcript of a Bush interview, with Grant’s commentary in BOLD. Oh, and of course there had to be a little bit in there about our wonderful vice president and his hunting accident. Man, what a bunch of jackasses. Full size, 20 pages long.
Judas Goat Quarterly #30 ($1.50)
I nearly did a triple take when given this issue, the summer 2006 edition. For the first time ever, JGQ is NOT full size, but rather half size… But don’t think the content is any less, if anything it’s more. Global warming, wire tapping, and the GOP! Hooray! A feature on Tim Kreider, a political cartoonist, shows up towards the back, as does a really cool and funny story about a patriotic American having a bit of a rough day. HALF size, 32 pages.
Junk Drawer #2 ($2.00)
This is a great issue, all about “Junk Days”, aka, days when various neighborhoods throw out tons of free stuff, just to get it the hell out of their house! You know, when it’s moving time, or the end of a semester at a college campus, that sort of thing. If you are the type to dumpster dive, or “rag-pick”, then this is a zine for you! Tips on where to go, how to inspect the goods, and even some pictures of the piles of junk a lucky participant might go home with! Plus a somewhat sad, slash awesome, slash creepy story about digging through the late great Mike Royko’s stuff. Interesting read for all you clutter-bugs out there, with cool photos and easy reading. Half size, 52 pages.
Kitchen Amerika #1 ($3.00)
A pair of well spoken ladies teamed up to create this political cook-zine. It starts off with two cups of education, followed by a teaspoon of ambition, and sprinkled with political optimism (hard to find these days). Essays and articles on various social issues are mixed together with more personal stories, as well as several recipes from people like Abbie Hoffman. There are also a number of “Interviews with Society”, in which random people are asked the big questions on how to fix the world. Overall, a great zine that isn’t afraid to cover important issues, while at the same time keeping a bit of a sense of humor. (can’t be serious all the time, right?) One of the authors also happens to be in the Air Force Reserves, which offers a perspective not often seen in the zine scene. Half legal size, 56 pages.
La Boca #1 ($1.50)
This is a nice little quarter-size zine with a screen printed cover. Several different stories written out in nice detail, letting us into the author’s thoughts. A simple, to the point journal style, but with more insight and emotion. Trips to Chicago, missing old friends, loosing a pot of spaghetti, and trying to find and keep a group of friends that will understand and love her. There’s a certain loveable restlessness about this zine that reminds me that we’re all in search of something… 44 pages.
La Boca #2 ($1.50)
E Parrot gives us her second installment of short personal stories. Her words seem to center around the idea of observation, be it of people, places or things. Descriptions of old friends, new friends, coffee shops and art pieces. She gives you just enough, then moves on to something else. This one also has an interview with Johnnie, from the zine Stray Dogs and Static. Stylistically, La Boca is comfortable and well put together. Block-print cover, type-writer fonts, and an good combination of photos and drawings (sometimes within the same image). Quarter-size, 48 pages.
The Life and Times of Sheldon Grubs #1 ($1.50)
This little zine is hilarious. Lots of funny funny stories about growing up. And by funny funny, I mean ridiculous. Things like pretending a potato is his child named Carl, playing golf with his father, and worrying about a lack of bowel movement. Also fun clip art and collages spread throughout. Quarter-size, 28 pages.
The Life and Times of Sheldon Grubs #2 ($1.50)
"My first job was stealing money from my mother's purse. It paid well and the hours were good. I did that for about 12 years and never missed a day of work." If you enjoyed the first three sentences from issue #2, you'll love the rest of it even more! Stories about his brother Ira, Pop Tarts, recording the sounds of farts on tape, and an 8-year-old's birthday party! Plus more cool clip art pictures to mix it up. Quarter-size, 28 pages.
Living Proof #1 ($3.00)
"Crisis" It took me eleven and a half pages to decide for sure that I liked this zine. On page 8 Andrew starts a story all about consumerism, and how we must buy such and such products, and how he only buys "Ocean Spray" juice, and prefers Coca-Cola over Pepsi. I was thinking maybe this guy was kinda jerky, then at the end of page eleven he says "It could have been in that aisle where I first realized how silly this whole existence thing is. All the energy you expend on shopping, purchasing, preferring, enjoying-is it really enjoyment? Or have we merely been conditioned to like these material objects from which we derive pleasure?" This is sort of how Andrew's writing goes. He takes you one way, then the opposite, talking about roommates, school, girlfriends, DVD's, CD's, the FBI, the CIA, ESP, ESPN, ESPN 2, and so on… Quarter-size, clean-cut computer layout style, 80 pages.
Living Proof #2 ($3.00)
Another collection of thoughts from Andrew, this one subtitled “Rebound”, perhaps because of the number of stories in here that deal with his attempts at finding true love. Girls he’s dated, girls he wanted to date, and girls who broke his heart. But along with these tainted tales of love gone wrong are plenty of stories about all sorts of other stuff, like drinking, bands, wrecking a car, and so on. There is also a nice interview in here with Elizabeth Elmore, of The Reputation, a good interview that discusses fame, fortune, and misguided trash-talking. Oh, the trials and mistrials of this life of ours. This zine is in a similar format as issue #1, sort of a sideways quarter-size, with glossy covers and 96 pages of fun.
Living Proof #3 ($3.00)
This is the Genesis issue, and is filled with Andrew’s contemplations of life and meaning. He starts out by discussing the state of our media, television specifically, and questions what the hell we’re doing with 80 different channels of shitty programming. But he quickly shifts away from TV, and brings focus to the concept of printed material. A good long interview with Punk Planet’s Dan Sinker follows. And I do mean good and long, two words which rarely go together when describing and interview, but trust me on this one. After that, it’s back to the story-telling, mostly about school and friends, with nice photos showing up every few pages. Half size, 68 pages.
Living Proof #4 ($3.00)
A return to the more familiar quarter-size for Mr. Mall, in this fourth edition, subtitled “Rehearsal”. His well-formatted thoughts flow from page to page, and time to time, as he discusses life in Pennsylvania, life in Chicago, and the time and distance between these two places. His stories often drip of nostalgia, but with enough underlying direction to keep you reading. Living Proof often has a couple mentions of girls, crushes, and failed romances, and this issue follows up on that, as well as giving us lots of other topics (Thanksgiving, traveling, the hotness of musicians…). After reading this, I feel I am witness to Andrew’s understanding of himself, via his understanding and reflection on his past. Quarter-size, 80 pages, nice blue cover.
Love #2 ($2.00)
Some crazy ass adventures, all centered around your favorite illustrated couple, Jack and Pokie. This issue also features a cool homeless dude named Jason. They do things like add a crow’s nest to their house, carve jack-o-lanterns, and hang out with weirdos! It’s funny, it’s easy to read, and it’s full of cool cartoon artwork! Half size, 44 pages.
Love, Chicago ($5.00)
A new glossy covered magazine to sprout up in the Windy City, Love, Chicago seems to celebrate just that, a love to/for/from Chicago. Interviews with local bands, local retailers, local art galleries, and the like are in depth and well written. Articles and stories would be of interest to any audience, but for Chicago residents it’s especially fun to read, as you will most likely find a name or place in here that you are already familiar with. This particular issue includes features on The Tossers, MOTO, Echo Gallery, Bloodshot Records, Vive La Femme, and much more. Full size, 48 pages.
Love, Chicago V.1, No. 3 ($5.00)
Another good issue of Love, Chicago. The first half of the mag seems very musically oriented, with well-written stories about bands like The Ponies, and The Reputation. Lollapalooza is also covered, but not in a drab traditional fashion. Instead we get a nice collage of Haikus and Polaroid pictures. From there, we are taken into the wonderful world of dildos, via a great one-page interview with Early To Bed’s very own Searah. But the great thing about this new magazine is it’s ability to bounce around. Politics are soon discussed, then food, then record shops, then photo-cults, then burlesque troupes. Beautiful illustrations give your eyes a rest between stories, and a couple pages of reviews give you something to go out on. Full size, glossy pages, 36 pages.
Luna Park ($1.00)
One hundred years ago Chicago opened up an amusement center known as Luna Park. At the time we were one of the world’s leaders when it came to the art of amusement, and this is one of the lesser known attempts to give the city a bit of jolly entertainment. But, as with any major city endeavor, it was clouded with controversy, mixed feelings, and lots of scandalous dealings. I mean, it IS Chicago, right? This zine will give you a quick education on all these events that took place concerning Chicago’s Luna Park. Half size, 8 pages.
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