Marked For Life #6 - by Sage - half size - 22 pages
I feel like this is the zine I have wanted to write for a long time, but don’t have the energy for. Sage writes about dealing with her anxiety, how she finds peace in her anxiety-induced solitude, and her anxiety about death – which then leads her into writing about the most recent deaths in her life, including her great-grandparent, grandparent, friend, and step-father. I connected with this zine a lot, and I assume that many zinesters out there will connect as well. There is a lot of strength in Sage’s words, and I appreciate how open and honest she is about her feelings and thoughts.
Milkyboots #10 - by Virginia - half size - 24 pages
I have been really into comic zines lately, so I was excited when I received this in my mailbox. Virginia has a great way of telling stories through images, as any good artist does, and I thoroughly enjoyed taking a visual stroll through her life. Her comics are very clean and legible (which is rare, believe it or not), and range from cute, to funny, to romantic, to sad. She writes/draws about traveling, family issues, relating with her girlfriend, and other zinester awesomeness. Can't wait to see the next issue.
A Million Birthdays #8 - by K - a bit larger than quarter size - 42 pages
This zine is subtitled “Little Brave One”, which really fits the theme of being afraid but pushing through. K writes in a very poetic, almost fictional way, but you just know these stories are true – because they contain universal experiences and feelings. She starts off the zine writing about a performance art slam she attended, and then goes into her time at school and conversations/time spent with friends. She writes about her career aspirations, her fears, and her desire to become the person she wants to be. This issue is broken up into vignettes, each with a number on top; it flows nicely, and there is definitely a sense of beginning and end. The writing in here is superb – the best I've seen in a while.
A Million Birthdays #9 - by K - half size - 36 pages
This is another great, text-heavy zine by K, broken up into vignettes. K writes: “I have been writing down my stories – critical or not – for over seven years now and I don't really know why. It's like there's something that lives inside of me and tells me, over and over, if you are going to keep living, you have to keep writing. And so, whether or not anyone else is reading, I am always, always writing.” In this issue, she writes about unhealthy relationships, being there for a friend (and how hard it can be when you know they chose the wrong path), learning about a friend's death, and more. As always, engaging content and excellent writing – but this could be triggering, so proceed with caution.
A Million Birthdays #10 - by K - quarter size - 18 pages
K writes, “I have been wanting to write about my grandmother for a long time, but have spent so long not writing about her, not talking about her, that my words feel worse than usual and seem horrendously transformed on the page, made into dark and distant creatures.” This zine is about the abuse her grandmother and herself have faced, the family silence surrounding the issue, and the fear of her life becoming parallel to her grandmother's life. This is an important read, but it could be triggering, so please read in a safe space!
Miss Sequential #1 - by Marissa - quarter size - 18 pages
I was so excited to hear that Marissa was making zines again after an eight-year hiatus. You may remember her past zine, Red Hooded Sweatshirt. It was one of my favorite comic personal zines, and I was delighted to find out I enjoyed this one just as much. The drawings in here are crisp, expressive, funny, and adorable.. She draws/writes about how she killed Bea Arthur (not really), becoming a swimmer, a walk to work, and more.
Miss Sequential #2 - by Marissa - quarter size - 34 pages
In this installment of Miss Sequential, Marissa draws one page for every day in the month of September, highlighting the interesting events of that day. Crafts projects, work, swimming, partying, and even getting sick – it's all in here. As always, the comics are creative and amusing. I'm looking forward to the next issue!
Miss Sequential #3 - by Marissa - halfish size - 30 pages
Marissa starts off her zine by writing: “Is it weird to fly across the country to see people you haven’t previously met in real life? Not since the internet, I’m guessing, and not to me, since I’ve been corresponding with far-flung friends for a minimum of the past fifteen years. As my mom often reminds me, I tend to do well with these strangers, people I’ve been corresponding with for years, when we finally do meet in person.” I can definitely relate to that, seeing as most of my friends and my boyfriend were all met on the internet! Marissa’s zine is about her trip to San Francisco to attend the zine fest and meet up with a friend she’s only known online. As always, there are fantastic illustrations interspersed throughout, and the text alternates between beautiful handwriting and type – sort of a hybrid comic and perzine. Loved it!
Nothing Rhymes #5 - by Chelsea - quarter size - 36 pages
This zine almost made me cry, which almost never happens - Chelsea's writing is very powerful. The story about her cat, and the illness he faced, as well as when she had to put him to sleep...so heartbreaking. It made me think about my doggie, who has been having some health issues lately. Chelsea also writes about exploring an abandoned building, and her thoughts/experiences on moving to Providence, Rhode Island.
Pieces #5 - by Nichole - quarter size - 47 pages
Well written in a conversational style, deeply personal and honest, and a cut-and-paste layout to drool over – that’s how I’d explain Nichole’s zine. She calls this a “zine of change”, and I can definitely see why. She writes about needing to move to Chicago and get out of her comfort zone, coming to terms with her desire for masochism, dealing with self-righteous vegetarians/vegans, her part-time job experiences, her sister’s attempted suicide, and more.
Rat Brat #7 - by Mab - quarter size - 60 pages
I loved this issue - lots of great content and an organized, easy-to-read layout. Mab writes about how she expresses love and what love is to her, having bipolar disorder, and how she hates having to take so many pills. She also discusses her relationship with religion, specifically Paganism and Christianity.
Recinerated #1/Letters From the Bottom of the World – by Rae – quarter size and mini zine - 46 pages and 22 pages
These are two zines by Rae (of Suburban Gothic) that I am selling together. In Recinerated #1, Rae writes: “I’m more than prepared to call this zine exactly what it is: a collection of thoughts from my life during the past year’s spring and summer months, an assortment of bellyaching about my job and my own existential semi-crises. Take that as you will.” This zine reminds me of the zines I used to read when I first got into zines a while ago. It’s very personal, day-to-day thoughts that maybe we’ve all had but never wrote down before. Her writing is what really makes this an engaging read. Letters From the Bottom of the World is basically a letter to a friend who essentially “dumped” her – I could completely relate to this.
