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(note, certain zines listed in profile section may no longer be available)
Sacred Obligations ($1.50)
"A chapbook of Poetry". That usually means something I won't like so much, but I was pleasantly surprised with this collection of reflection. Mike has found a way to work through his life struggles with poems, and then neatly organized them into four categories for us: Dad and the Farm, Katie, The Ex, and Miscellaneous. Poetry from a different angle, it seems to me. From the farm-boy turned political activist. From the no longer-closeted bisexual. From the ambitious procrastinator. I read this one in a single sitting, and wasn't bored once. Full size, 20 pages.
SemiBold #9 ($2.00)
I'm usually impressed by Kathy's smooth, clean layouts. It looks so professional, and then I'll remember that she also does this kind of stuff professionally, working in the advertising biz and all. Anyway, this nicely laid out issue is mostly made up of a few stories from Kathy's last year of life. Stories include: Breaking her elbow, her cat having kittens, taking a trip to California (to give one of the kittens to her friend!), and to top it all off, a story about some crazy coked up psycho trying to kill his girlfriend in the building across the street from where Kathy lives. Also a few reviews towards the end. 24 pages, half legal size.
Serenity, Missouri ($1.00)
Serenity, Missouri... A zine about a place of the same name. This zine maps out the personalities and characteristics of all the bizarre people living in this quaint town. The funny little anecdotes and stories tell us just enough of each person to get us curious, and maybe even make us chuckle or scratch our chins, then quickly moves onto the next person. School teachers, bums, teens... All sorts of folk are described with random facts and details, the kind of stuff that makes you want to visit this strange place, but not actually move there. Half size, 24 pages, purple cover.
Shortandqueer #1 ($1.00)
This debut issue is subtitled “friends are important”, which should give you some idea as to the contents of the zine. The whole issue is full of stories about, and pictures of, a handful of Kelly’s friends. Page after page, you get to read about college pals, fellow camp counselor nerds, and of course zine friends. If you’ve ever wondered who Kelly hangs out with (or why), now is your chance. Half size, 24 pages.
Shortandqueer #2 ($1.00)
This is a super rad second issue of S&Q. Hold it one way, and it’s the “Things I Like” issue, but flip it over and it’s the “Things I Don’t Like” issue. Both categories are wonderfully illustrated with stick figure drawings and fun diagrams. Some likes include dressing up, getting mail, and potatoes. A few dislikes are things like throwing up, cigarettes, and slim jims. Fun little zine, with yet more insight into Kelly’s weird little mind. Half size, 16 pages.
Shortandqueer #3 ($1.00)
This zine is one of the greatest ideas I’ve heard in awhile. This zine is a list that Kelly kept for several weeks, a list titled “The best thing that happened today was…” This is a day by day account of all the best things that happened to Kelly over a 101 day period. For example: “7/30/04—I heard ‘She thinks my tractor’s sexy’ on the radio.” Eating in diners, snapping pennies, going to movies, hanging out with friends. A great way to journal, and a great way to put your life into a positive mindset, what a cool idea! It makes me want to do the same thing, but until then I’ll just read this zine. Half size, 20 pages.
Shortandqueer #4 ($1.00)
Who has 2 legs, red hair, and is a boy? That’s right, Kelly! SNQ #4 is the “coming out issue”, where Kelly stands up on stage in front of a microphone to tell the world “yo, I’m all like a boy and stuff!” Lots of gender issues in here, lots of open discussion, lots of open-mindedness. Kelly talks about his experiences, his trials and tribulations, and his process of making various lifestyle changes. A good deal of the zine is also reserved for a series of emails back and forth between Kelly and his mom. (BTW, Kelly’s mom is awesome! I want to meet her, and tell her that she should probably go on Oprah to tell the world how to be open-minded about their kids.) There are also articles on body hair, some stuff about The Tranny Roadshow, and then some awesome pictures of Kelly through the years. If you are interested at all in queer stuff, trans stuff, fun stuff, or dorky stuff, you gotta start reading SNQ. Half size, 24 pages.
Shortandqueer #5 ($1.00)
A continuation of a great project, this is the next set of “The Best Thing that Happened to me Today”. Same idea as issue #3, where Kelly lists out months worth of wonderful things that have happened to him. A few examples: making zines, getting copies, making friends, getting laid, going gambling… And so on. This zine is like baseball highlights! All the dull stuff is edited out, and all you get are the rockin best parts! Half size (like Kelly) and 24 pages long (not like Kelly).
Shortandqueer #6 ($1.00)
This the “Now that I’m a Dude…” issue, sporting a manly picture on the front cover of Kelly smashing a beer can on his head. Awesome! These pages are packed with testosterone, and lengthy discussions about the effects of it. What’s it like to be a man? Is it still ok to cry? What do you do when straight girls hit on you? How about weirdo gay boys that won’t stop calling? Kelly wades through all these dilemmas with insight and humor, giving the world something to think about. Hurry up and get these zines before they are retired to a bound book format! Half size, 20 pages.
Shortandqueer #7 ($1.00)
Had this one awhile, and haven’t had time to put it up on the site. Shame on me. SnQ continues to be one of the most important zines in existence, and until it’s all compiled into a nicely bound book, you’ll have to keep buying up these one dollar gems (some day they’ll go for big bucks on ZineBay!). Issue seven has no over-riding theme, but is still filled great stories and awesome pictures (Kelly in a tutu!). Fifth grade birthday parties, dressing up as Batman and Robin, and awkward conversations at work! What more could you ask for? Single panel comics about being gay? Ok, there are a couple of those as well. Half size, 20 pages.
Shortandqueer #8 ($1.00)
A bit more serious than earlier issues, this one covers some tough topics as Kelly sorts out his current feelings on gender identification, but also reflects on his past feelings. A good portion of this zine is made up of Kelly’s reprinted journal entries, with present day thoughts added. Lots of words, no pictures, but if you have any interest in topics of gender, sexual identification, or even something so basic as dealing with a world in which you don’t feel comfortable, you might be able to relate to the stuff in these here pages. Don’t misinterpret my review, this zine is not a downer by any means! Actually quite uplifting! But this issue’s inspiration is obtained through the appreciation of overcoming struggle, rather than the laugh out loud ridiculousness you might find in previous issues. Half-size, 32 pages.
The Sisyphean Task ($1.50)
Some prose, some fiction, this is a clean layout, straight text sort of zine. Love letters, a rant on technology, a fictional story about a crummy roommate, and a really funny rant/discussion about the act of defecation, and how much Mike dislikes it. (You gotta love writing that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time). Half size, 36 pages.
The Sisyphean Task #3 ($1.50)
A good mix of personal prose and personal poetry, and all laid out over Dr. Suess backgrounds. Prose covers bike riding, conference "mixers" and other such fun stuff. Poetry has topics like (can you guess?) love and girls, but also other things, like dealing with the emotions that come when you have a grandmother dying of cancer. Half size, 20 pages.
The Sisyphean Task #5 ($1.50)
This zine starts out with Mike’s memories of his father reading to him, immediately creating two themes for the zine: family and reading. He talks about his two brothers, his mother, and of course his father, struggling to learn about his relationships with them through the printed words on these zines. The Sisyphean Task is Mike’s form of therapy, this is how he deals with being the black sheep of the family. But, the reading theme is well represented as well, with Mike talking about what he reads, and why he reads it. Half size, 32 pages, printed on pink paper.
The Sisyphean Task #6 ($1.50)
The “Oh, the places you’ll go!” issue, this one takes place during July of 2004. Michael takes a road trip with two friends, Drew and Kathleen. As they drive through a long list of states, their conversations with one another get more and more personal. They talk about sex, family, anger management, and all the rest. It’s all documented in this here zine, through a series of journal entries. Lots of good adventures are mentioned as well, things like gambling, having windows broken, and watching the stars in Death Valley. Half size, 44 pages.
The Sisyphean Task #7 ($2.00 or a hug)
The May 2005 issue, this one is Mike’s “leaving Iowa” issue, as he is now set to move to Oregon for grad school. Part of the zine reflects on that idea, talking about his likes and dislikes for Iowa, and why he has now decided to relocate. Many of the stories, however, are well-written descriptions of personal experiences, most of which come from an intellectual and political mind frame. Also some poetry in here, as well as a pair of prefaces for books that will not be released for another 20 years! Loop Distro is always the first one to jump on these ground-breaking stories… Anyway, the zine, which features color pictures on the covers, is half-size and 36 pages long.
The Sisyphean Task #8 ($3.00)
July 2006, “A Boy With Wings”. He’s left the nest of the Midwest and flown out to Washington, where the minds go as far left as the coast which hosts them. New adventures and anecdotes, but with themes similar to past issues. A family that doesn’t always understand him, a farm life childhood that never seemed to fit, dealing with the death of a loved one… Some heavy issues, each dealt with in an honest and approachable manner. Mike seems to be searching, like many of us, for an understanding of himself, and is doing so through the documentation of his thoughts and feelings as he reflects on his past and contemplates his future. His method of delivery bounces between prose and poem, and each are written with well-thought words, communicating emotions that are felt in the heart more than understood with the mind. Layout is plain text, nice and neat, with no typos or smeared in. A real pro kind of job. Half size, 40 pages.
Stencil Zine #1 ($1.00)
Short zine of stencils, from California, to Colorado, to New York. Black and white photos. No text or stories, just some demonstrations on the public art of street stenciling. Quarter-size, 12 pages.
Stencil Zine #2 ($1.00)
A second installment of street stencils. Same concept as before, but with a bit of text to offer some tips on how to cut your own stencils. Again, the pictures are from all over the US, and offer a variety of messages (from obviously political, to obviously not). Quarter-size, 24 pages.
Stencil Zine #3 ($1.00)
More stencil flicks, from all over the US. Chicago, Philly, NY… Some tips on what types of paint to use. Photos are in black and white. More characters this time, but still a random mix of images. Quarter-size, 24 pages.
Stencil Zine #4 ($1.00)
Mostly Boston and New York photos, but a little bit of everything. Some narrative from Josh about his travels, but for the most part this is more of what you love, street stencils. This one is the biggest yet, however. Quarter-size, 32 pages.
Stop Signs ($1.50)
Ever see a stop sign with a sticker on it? Maybe a sticker that says “Eating Animals”? So then, in the context of the whole sign, the message “Stop Eating Animals” is conveyed to the public? This is zine is full of pictures which document that specific style of street art. “Stop Rape”, “Stop War”, “Stop Hillary”, and so on. Pretty cool collection of art, with a couple stories thrown in. Quarter-size, 32 pages.
Stream of Consciousness #1 ($1.00)
A more accurate title for this zine could not be found. This hand-written zine is essentially a photo-copied journal, with all the hopes and fears of a single female author boldly on display for the world to recognize. Stories about topics such as relationships with friends and lovers, descriptions of returning to her home town, or getting stoned at the beach all role from one to another, much as a dreamers mind drifts from thought to thought. A very personal set of words and ramblings, with occasional photos and clip art mixed in. Half size, 36 pages.
Stream of Consciousness #2 ($1.00)
A new issue, already out! This second edition continues with the same style as was created last time (hand-written, free-flowing journal thoughts from a young college student), but is more sophisticated in many regards. Where as the first issue feels like a diary that was later turned into a zine, this issue shows audience awareness from the start. Rey Rey talks about life, death, and critical mass. Love, loneliness, and memories of her home town. Surviving Christmas, analyzing the past, and looking forward to the future. If you care to read along while she contemplates her reality, pick this zine up and give it a read. Half-size, 36 pages.
Suburban Legends ($1.00)
Brought to you by our good friends at Love Bunni press, this cute little comic tells the spooky story of a mad doctor, and his many wild experiments! Oh no! Creatures are being created, orphans are in danger, holes are being dug out back! Cool drawings, and crazy story! Quarter-size, 24 pages.
Suburban Legends #2 ($1.00)
This issue is subtitled “The Old Maid and the Mail Slot Murders!” It’s got more wicked cool drawings to help illustrate a story being told as a couple skater kids walk around town. The story is a classic “old haunted house on the hill”, involving an old lady and her evil twin sons! But what happens when the kid doesn’t believe in this old suburban legend? Will he prove the story wrong? Will he actually dare to stare through the mail slot of the old creepy house? Spend the buck and find out for yourself! Quarter-size, 28 pages.
Surface Depth #2 ($2.00)
This is a rad little pocket-sized zine, the kind that’s perfect to read when you’re on a road trip, or riding the bus across town. It’s filled with stories about hitch-hiking, traveling, people, and Chicago. A cool story about Taylor’s semi-crazy Aunt Cheryl, a story about working for Green Peace, and a story about living with some weird tripped out hippie people. Also some interesting thoughts about anxiety. So yes, once again, lots of good stories, with some cool drawings as well. Cover has a nice silk-screened picture, and it’s all bound up with a rubber band. Quarter-size, 112 pages.
Tangential Fervor ($1.00)
Late night drawings and type-writer ramblings. This is a zine full of Chicago stories, expressed through pen, poetry, and a bit of cut ‘n paste layout. Evan and Graham express their hopes and fears through stories and anecdotes, almost in a point/counterpoint sort of way, like two souls passing notes, secretly hoping they get caught and read aloud to the masses. Broken hearts, bathroom graffiti, and local celebrities. Half-size the vert way, 28 pages long.
Temporal Millionaire #1 (1.00)
TM is a cool little zine by a mom who used to live in Chicago, then moved to Florida, and now I’m not sure where she lives. But she’s in her early 30’s, has a young son named Eli, and loves to draw pictures of her every day life, where subjects like bicycles, fire trucks, and bunny pencil toppers are just waiting to be published. This zine reads sort of like a journal, being as it’s all hand-written/drawn, and we get to feel Lisa’s hope and enthusiasm for life as she tries to balance out her creative urges (writing, drawing, music) with the more immediate demands of raising a child. Could easily fall under the “mama-zine” category, though it’s not really focused on child-rearing, so much as it’s focused on Lisa’s life (which at the time happens to deal quite a lot with child-rearing). A smooth fun, personal read with lots of cool and cute drawings to go along with. Quarter-size, 32 pages.
Temporal Millionaire #2 (1.00)
More drawings and stories from Lisa, in the same theme and format that made the last issues so great! CB radios, marathon running, dealing with depression, and cool packages from mom! This issue has it all! It even has tips on jump-starting cars, as well as a short bit of drumming rudiments! (that takes me back to junior high!) Cool drawings, personal journal entries, and a range of emotion as wide as the hurricanes which occasionally threaten the Floridian residents! Quarter-size, 32 pages.
Temporary Relocation Project #1 ($3.00)
So many Shawn Granton zines! I must have had the luxury of hanging out with him, huh? This zine is unlike most of his stuff for the fact that it is mostly writing, with a few drawings and comics thrown in to mix things up, instead of the other way around as he has most often done in Ten Foot Rule. The writing covers his adventures while on a 2 month travel across the country from his new home to his old one. Good read, and plenty of material to make sure you get your money’s worth! Quarter legal size, 96 pages.
Thinking About Suicide ($3.00)
The pink cover of this zine states that this is “not another one of those educational booklets”, but rather a “personal story”. This is a pretty great, and pretty extensive look at the concept of suicide, all through the eyes of someone who has been there and done that. Katherine talks about the things that had a tendency to bring her down, and how she struggled through all the bad to try and find the good. The personal touch to this zine is what really makes it interesting to read, though it doesn’t have that per-zine look to it. The writing is very professional, with the references cited in the back and everything. There are a few photos, and some clip art, and towards the end the topic of mental health care is discussed as well. If you or anyone you know is going through some tough times, this one might help out. Half size, 64 pages, comes with a cool “Chicago is for Loners” sticker.
To Old Man Death ($1.00)
A zine from Chicago’s own Viking, and perhaps a chance to see the softer side of a person most consider little more than a vandal. This handwritten zine is about the death of his grandmother, though don’t buy this in hopes of reading a lengthy explanation. Just a few poetic words in the Viking style lettering, with a few pictures. Quarter-size, 8 pages.
Torch Song ($1.00)
Quick comic about a crazy-haired character of Matt's. 28 pages, quarter size.
Truckface #7 ($2.00)
From the same genius, twisted, strange, wonderful mind as So Midwest, this is LB’s return to an old zine, Truckface. This issue is nice and pocket-sized, ready to be carried around with you for a few days as you read snippets of rants, personal observations, and LB’s philosophies on life. But they aren’t your typical yell-and-scream rants, nor are they the kind that leave you depressed at the end of the paragraph. More like the kind that make you laugh out loud as you try to figure out the mind that tries to cope daily aggravations. Mostly writing, but a lot of nice sketches and collage work as well. Quarter-size, 56 pages.
Truckface #10 ($2.00)
I read this zine. Never reviewed it. Ran into LB at the post office, and thought “I should review that”. So this past weekend I reread the whole thing and enjoyed it just as much the second time through. LB has the ability to take some horrible things like sexual harassment in the work place, or, say, peeing your pants, and turn them into perfectly fine stories that make you laugh. And getting felt up by a creepy boss is no laughing matter! But LB conquers all, and comes out in the end as the victor in all situations, proving that writers always have the last laugh. Of course, this issue also has some dance-party stories, some awesome drawings that look creepy enough for me to love everyone of them, and a whole section about visiting New Orleans. Every aspect of this zine is awesome, including it’s handy dandy pocket-sizedness. And it’s 84 little pages long!
Fluffer/Ugly Cutie
I’m the type of guy who reads a lot of zines. I read a lot of stories and see a lot of pictures. I’m flipping through something new just about every day. There are a few bad ones, and a lot of good ones. But, every once in awhile, I am absolutely blown away. Every now and then I fall instantly in love with a publication, love at first sight that is, and that’s what happened when I first saw these two zines sitting side by side in the zine store.
Both zines are a dollar, both zines are pocket-sized, and both zines are 16 pages long. Sort of like part one and part two, these zines really do work best together, as they are each filled with a plethora of bizarre drawings, all in the same twisted style. The creator of these images, a north-sider named Kaitlin, offers forth uncomfortable girls with bags on their heads, trans-gendered masturbators with bunny ears, conjoined mermaids, and tons of other disturbingly beautiful characters. Simple drawings of complex things, and I loved it from cover to cover.
Undeici Luna #1 ($1.00)
Undeci Luna is a rad comic by my friend, Mindy. The story follows a young girl named Wendy, as she tries to survive her messed up childhood. Her parents are always fighting, so finally she takes off one night, crashing with her friend Carly in the tree house. The next Wendy goes home to find her parents are gone! I won’t spoil the ending, you’ll have to get this yourself. The first of three, this zine gives you just enough to want some more. Half size, 28 pages.
Week ($2.00)
Deanna gave herself a little assignment. Make one zine a day for an entire week. Thusly, we have Week. Seven mini-zines crammed into one nice little envelope. Content of each zine varies, but a consistent style is ever-present. Cut-out photos and magazine imagery is mixed with hand scribbled and type-written words, giving the reader a nice visual to the somewhat random, yet entertaining, thoughts being communicated. Self-reflection and dealing with heart-break seem to be common themes, as lines of text take on a poetic feel as pages are rhythmically turned. Overall, a cool, and a fun pack of zines to flip through. Each of the 7 zines is 16 pages long, and 1/8 standard letter size.
Where I Live ($1.00)
In the fall of 2007, several nice lads and ladies converged upon the Hokin Annex to discuss the Awesomeness of Zines. After the discussion, note cards were passed out and we all wrote about where we’re from. Some drawings, some stories, some comics. People from as far away as Texas or Florida, some people as close as the dorm rooms down the street. Quick read, but fun. Limited edition color covers, 28 pages, quarter-size.
Wherewithal #3 ($1.00)
Short fiction and prose stories, each with their own slight touches of cynical sarcasm. Fire, cigarettes, lying, and living the unemployed lifestyle. Emerson talks about not doing much of anything, but takes total responsibility for any situation he might find himself in. And at the end of it all, at least he’s found a way to entertain the rest of us. A short read, but a good. Mostly typed-out words, accompanied by some nice drawings by Nell. Half-size, 16 pages.
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