Click on a zine name to read the author's profile!
(note, certain zines listed in profile section may no longer be available)
Meniscus #9 ($3.00)
Half size, 42 pages. Great prose complimented by a few drawings. Stories about Ted Raimi's pants, dental problems, a description of what "Matt Fagan, The Movie" would be like, and more.
Meniscus #12 ($3.00)
This issue of Meniscus is a bit more serious than previous issues, but is no less interesting and entertaining to read. Several pages are filled with an article called "The Dain Identity", which is a true story about a criminal and con-artist that Matt had the displeasure of working with. This story is the one that gives the zine an overall serious tone, but there are plenty of others to balance it out, such as "Bowhunt" (reflections on visiting the family in a small hunting town) and run through of Matt's experiences performing spoken word. There's even a little story by me in there called "Sheila" which Matt was kind enough to print. Half size, 52 pages.
Meniscus #14 ($3.00)
Pretty evenly divided between Matt’s great writing, and his amazing artwork, this issue has a little bit of everything. The pages of text and stories explain his urges to write (or not to), his dream come true of working in a video store/comic book store, and even his many month long battle with Columbia House (yes, the stupid music and movie thing that Matt was silly enough to partake in.) Sprinkled throughout these stories are a handful of his comic strips, such as Love, and Hobbeson and Chives, the crime fighting butlers! If you are already aboard the Meniscus freight train, then of course you will pick this up. If you aren’t, then what’s taking so long? Read this, it’s funny and good. Half size, 52 pages.
Meniscus #15 ($3.00)
This is a bit of a review issue, a review of all the things Matt has been doing for the past several months. This zine, though full of writing, and stories, and drawings, is still seems to serve as a catalog of all the OTHER art projects with which Matt gets himself involved. Paintings, costumes, comics, the list goes on and on. It’s a lot of fun to read, actually, and very inspiring. Scattered through that are a number of movie reviews, stories about customer service, and my very favorite, a story about throwing dog shit. Yes! Matt and his gay-ass comics, you know you wanna keep yourself updated on his life. Half size, 56 pages.
Moments of Climax ($2.00)
This zine is subtitled (3 Scenes), which is an indication of the 3 separate stories which take place within it. All three stories are a bit twisted, a bit messed up, and a lot of fun to read. The first story involves a dad, a son, and a dead deer. The second story is about a liquor store robbery. The third story is about a scuffle on the basketball court. What do they have in common? Moments of Climax. This zine is a little over half size, and 26 pages long. Good stories.
The Muse, The News, & The Noose #2 ($1.00)
This second installment from John is “her story”, and wanders through the thoughts of a lonely mind, a hopeful girl who misses what once was. Day after day of waking up hung over, or otherwise feeling horrible, feeling “wrecked”. Not the most uplifting read, but maybe that’s what makes it a nice change from your typical “feel good” zine. This third person account of a person searching for self-acceptance will make you realize how good you might actually have it in your own life. Quarter-size, 48 pages.
Natural Disasters ($2.00)
The detailed ramblings of a young man traveling around a foreign land. Encounters with suspiciously nice people, speaking the common language of joyful drunkenness, and coming to the startling realization that every decision is a wrong one. Cynical, yet insightful, and something I read straight through, this is the new writings from Al Burian of Burn Collector. Half size, 40 pages.
Natural Disasters #2 ($2.00)
What happens when a broke-ass musician gets lured away from his home town to finish a tour in Germany? This zine seeks to answer that question. The main character wanders around Europe, playing music and drinking coffee, forever in search of true love and a good nights rest. Political conversations in places like Slovenia also take place, as well as messed up travel plans and a long series of bad decisions. Excellent writing, simple layout, good stories. Quarter size, 40 pages.
A New Tomorrow, Issue 24 ($1.00 or free with order)
Working in an office building, riding the buses, hittin up Maxwell street on the weekends… This is life in Chicago. Good friends, good parades, and deep contemplation on the existence of self. This is Mike’s life in Chicago. A New Tomorrow comes out a couple times a year, and is usually distributed throughout Chicago’s best bars and record shops. If you’d like a copy, just ask. Half size, 16 pages.
Next Stop: Adventure! #1 ($1.00)
Matt had this great idea. He would bike hundreds of miles through the Carolinas to meet up with his friend Doug, who would be doing the same thing. A great big bike race for no reason whatsoever, other than to have fun and see if they could do it. And of course, when it’s all said and done, you’ve got great material for a zine, and here it is. Next Stop, Adventure indeed. Terrible conditions, sleeping on rooftops, not finding Doug, and all sorts of hilarious nonsense in between. Oh, but hope. Hope is ever present, and a general sense of “going with the flow.” This is a great little zine about a great little adventure. If you like roadtrips, seeing new sights, or sleeping outside, you’ll love this one. Plus, sweet little illustrations all throughout. Quarter-size, 24 pages.
Next Stop: Adventure! #2 ($2.00)
A whole new set of stories in that same awesome pocket-sized format. Once again the adventure-stop is accessed by bicycle, as Matt tells tall tales of biking all over the fucking country, eating dumpstered food and swimming in pools which he does not own. Have you ever slept in a sleeping bag on the side of an interstate? Have you ever wanted to? Well, have you at least wanted to read about it? Then here’s your chance! This zine is full of excellent writing, cool illustrations, and enough inspiration to make you quit your job and mimic each and every detail found within. In the very least, it will be something for you to carry around and read for a week or so. Technically, this is Matt’s second year in the league, so he no longer qualifies for Chicago’s Rookie Zinester of the Year award, but if he had released this in December, he could have won the votes in 2007. Read this zine, it’s good. Quarter-size, 60 pages.
No More Coffee #1 ($1.00)
Lots of great stories about kids growing up, though I’m not entirely sure which are fictional and which ones really happened. The style flows from line to line, and you find yourself wanting to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Stories are typed out, then cut and pasted over various photo backgrounds, and has a great look to it. If you want a great standard zine, full of thought and nostalgic, then you’ll dig this one. Coffee shops, vandalism, long lost brothers, and other events life throws at us. Half size, 24 pages.
Old Weird America #1 ($2.00)
The hand-written introduction to this zine talks of the notion of “old, weird America”, something so many of us search for, that romantic time that people like Bob Dylan and Jim Jarmusch try to portray (as well as many zine writers, I’m sure). Whether or not it still exists, or ever did for that matter, is pushed aside as Rose describes her CURRENT weird America, otherwise known as Detroit, Michigan. Short one and two page stories are presented as typed up journal entries, giving insight into the quirky, bizarre, and sometimes dangerous side of a city that is known for being a bit rough around the edges. Well-written, entertaining, and often bittersweet, this zine is a nice read, with a good personal feel. Half size, 32 pages.
Old Weird America #2 ($2.00)
It seems Ms. Rosie moved to the Big Apple, and has found a whole new type of Old Weird America, the kind that involves Broadway, lap dances, and carefully chosen pseudonyms. This zine has a series of individual stories that stand up quiet well on their own, but when strung together and read at once paint a larger picture of a girl trying to make in the big city with no money. It ain’t easy, and at times it’s even a bit scary, but hey, that’s the kind of stuff writers eat up with a spoon, am I right? Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap, then written about in such perfectly descriptive phrasing that you have no choice but to give this girl the respect she deserves. Half size, 32 pages.
Panic Attack #2 ($1.00)
“Not a very good place to be when you’re hungover.” These 10 non-fiction stories by Matt Coppens deal with the aftermath of heartache and heartbreak. Matt talks about the loneliness of being stuck in a Chicago winter, in an empty apartment, after an ended relationship. Too much drinking seems to be the coping mechanism, getting Matt through the day, but not actually helping anything. Lots of prose, some free-form thoughts, and a bit of poetry, all as a means of doing something constructive, and dealing with life when maybe you’d rather avoid it. Heart-felt writing, and a couple of awesome illustrations as well. Half-size, 24 pages.
Pax Americana #1 ($2.00)
"A zine on peace, pacifism, and nonviolence." This zine was put out in March of 2003, and seems like a well thought out reaction to US foreign policy. This is more than some zine about why war is bad, but rather is more of an intellectual approach towards how to nonviolently deal with global issues and problems. Mike shares some of his thoughts and opinions, but he also gives us a look at some of the methods and tactics past leaders, such as MLK, and Ghandi, used to achieve their goals. There are also pieces by other friends of Mike's, some prose, some poetry, some art… This is the type of zine I'll read in 10 years, and then cry when I realize how fucked up our government is. Why can us kids figure this stuff out, yet our own government remains clueless? Anyway, this is legal half-size, 44 pages.
Pax Americana #2 ($3.00)
The January 2004 Issue. This is exactly what it says it is. Stories, thoughts, suggestions, ideas, and discussion about topics relating back to peace, pacifism, and nonviolence. This issue even has a Pacifist Spotlight, which is kind of a cool and fun thing, talking all about Mike's friend, Jon Meier. The articles are roughly split into two categories: "Peace and the Personal", and "Peace and the Political". The first part has stuff about how Mike feels he has learned, and is learning, about said areas. Stuff like eating organic food, and understanding humility. The second part deals with more political topics, like why you should vote, abortion issues, and the state of the democratic party. This zine is full size, (newsletter or magazine style, not corner-stapled) and 28 peaceful pages long.
Phases of the Moon #1 ($3.00)
Where do I begin when describing this zine? There’s sort of a lot going on. Phases of the Moon is essentially a journaled-out recollection of the pregnancy and birthing process. The zine alternates it’s entries, allowing both Stacie and Alexander to give their own versions, of each event. Having two perspectives on such an important experience gives a full range of thoughts and feelings, as Stacie and Alexander, a pair of homeless vegan punk rock kids, try to learn about life and make some of the most difficult choices they’ve ever had to make. Excitement, fear, anticipation, depression, joy, and every other emotion seem to make an appearance at some point as they work their way through the pregnancy, the birthing, and the ultimate decision to give their child up for adoption. All these things make this zine very personal. But at the same time there is a lot of information packed in here which gives the zine a very political slant as well. Information and discussion about the medical industry, the ways in which pregnant women are treated within a patriarchy, and other such topics pop up every few pages, forcing you to not only understand the specific situation of these two people, but also question the entire medical system in our country. This is one of the more unique zines I’ve read in awhile, and while some may not agree with all the decisions and opinions that take place within it, I think everyone can appreciate the chance to hear someone’s story and think about some pretty important topics. Half size, 92 pages.
Point of Purchase #2 ($1.00)
A second installment of simple, yet hilarious, product drawings. Non-traditional marketing schemes make you think about the ones that exist in real life all around us. Phrases like “Sexy by Association”, “Spices make it Ethnic”, and “Fermenty” bring quick laughs on every page. Quarter-size, 28 pages.
Pressed Between the Pages #2 ($2.00)
Lots of short stories and anecdotes about the ups and downs of Alan’s life. Day to day living, saying goodbye to friends, holiday celebrations… All sorts of stuff, most of which has that bittersweet “well, that’s life” sort of feel to it. Everything is beautifully laid out and easy to read. There are even a few zine reviews towards the end. To hear a bit of the story telling, check this out. Good stuff. Quarter-size, 20 pages long.
Proof I Exist #6 ($1.00)
This issue came out in March of 2005, and is the “Hand-written” issue. Personal stories of Billy’s life describe his every day events (walking the dog) as well as his not so every day events (sleeping outside to raise awareness about homelessness). A general sense of social commentary is also slipped in here and there, but still from the personal slant. Everything is written by hand, with little illustrations all along the way. Half size, 32 pages.
Proof I Exist #8 ($2.00)
CT Ballentine referred to this as a “return to the old Proof I Exist”, which was a wonderfully stated observation. This is a big zine, long, and full of stories. Subtitled “life, love, and anything that matters”, PIE #8 is an up and down roller coaster of emotions, as Billy discusses dealing with the deaths of several loved ones, including his father. Stories reach back into his teen years, but for the most part this is a recap of 2005, and what has been going on more recently. If you like reading, you just might like this. If you don’t like reading, you probably won’t like this. Half legal size, 60 pages long.
Proof I Exist #9 ($1.00)
“Tryin to pave the way for a brand new day.” PIE9 is a collection of letters Billy wrote to his friends over the course of a couple months. Each letter is an authentic, photo-copied expression to one of his loved ones, but as a whole they tell the story of his mind frame while dealing with issues of relationship, art, deception, frustration, and success. Ultimately, it is revealed bit by bit that life is tough some times, but all you can do is keep on with it, and hope that things will get better, because they eventually do. He is madly in love with Allison, and she with him, and love such as this will survive all things, with energy left over to motivate the creation of things such as zines. If you care to read his communications, it will cost you a dollar. Half-size, 52 pages.
Racist Caveman Amputees ($2.00)
Now, on the cover of this awesome collection of drawings the word “racist” has been crossed out, so it remains unclear whether or not these caveman amputees are actually racist. And, for that matter, not all of them seem to be Cavemen. In fact, many of them have all their limps, indicating nothing has been amputated. That being said, each and every one of these images holds just as much significance as a drawing of a racist caveman amputee. This book is designed for all you ADHDs out there, with none of that messy text or plot to get in the way of taking in some awesome pictures. Genitals, bicycles, stabbings, breasts, snot, masks, and all sorts of other motifs are quite present. If you loved Zack’s vampire drawings, you love this times ten. Half size perfect bound paperback book, around 80 pages
Resilient ($3.00)
A great zine, thick with story, and laid out like a professional. This is a batch of life experiences from Sarah Royal, and focuses mostly on her life while moving from New York to Chicago. If you have an interest in either, or both, of these cities (as I do), then you’ll love flipping through the comparisons. Ever ridden the PATH train? Ever been to Maxwell Street? Ever hang out at the Handlebar? See, that’s the type of downness that all you hip kids want to read about. And the reading is fun, as are the many photos. This is a great zine, with a good sense of humor, and enough content to make you feel you got your money’s worth! Half size, 80 pages.
Rocks & Blows #1 ($1.00)
Four stories worth of great writing. The clean and simple layout helps focus on the writing, most of which deals with drugs and drug life. But this zine doesn’t seem to glorify, nor renounce, drug use, but rather to merely relate first hand experiences. The stories are well-written, with some style and thought, but not overly intellectual. These are just great page-turners, where you actually get scared/nervous/excited about what might be happening next. Great read, for only a buck. Half size, 24 pages.
Rocks & Blows #2 ($1.00)
More of the same from Mr. David Frank, and that is most certainly a good thing. Four more stories, three of which are again centered around the life of a junkie. Wanna read about someone pawning off their stuff for dope? Wanna hear about junkies and their friends? Wanna read about trying to score some drugs, or about being heart-broken over a girl, or about getting pulled over by the cops? It’s all in here, and then some. Great stories that are just the right length, and full of local intersections (hey, I’ve hung out on Montrose! I’ve hung out on Chicago Ave!). Once again, great stories that are fun to read, even when they are occasionally horrible and depressing. Half size, and now at 36 pages.
Rocks & Blows #3 ($2.00)
This issue is similar to the previous two, but a little bit different. It’s longer than the others (thus a dollar increase for the price), and is made up of 3 different stories. The first is called “Kill for Drugs”, a fictional account that is pretty much summed up in the title. Funny, scary, and sad, as much of Rocks and Blows seems to be. The second story is titled “Torturing and Killing Fish”, which is also pretty summed up in the title. This particular story takes place when our author is a child, and has nothing to do with drug use at all. Just a strange and entertaining story. The final installment is all about the Chicago penal system, and is titled “Cook County”. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get arrested for drugs, this is your chance to learn. All in all, another great zine, and another reason this will probably get my vote for zine of the year, 2006. Half size, 48 pages.
#-G
H-L
S-Z