This may be my new favorite comic zine. Ever. Jenna is a wonderful, expressive comic artist. She draws about her own life - feeling lonely, her trip to Egypt, finding an awesome adult comic at a store (titled Wimmen's Comix - from the 70s!), and more. There's also a hilarious article that somehow manages to talk about both endangered gorillas and Google maps. Very fun read. |
More wonderful comics by Jenna. She draws/writes about her work being compared to Cathy (that awful one-dimensional shoe-loving comic character), her neuroses and anxiety, getting locked out of her house, her love of communication/letters, how to avoid activist burnout, love of photocopiers, scabies, and more. |
This issue of shortandqueer is subtitled "Menstruation, not punctuation (periods.)", and it's all about what you think it's about. Kelly, a self-identified trans guy, writes about his first period (which happened in the middle of class, and his dad had to go bring him a change of pants and pads), finding the right pad and underwear, never using tampons, his last period (and when it came back at one point!), and things that still stick with him even after his period - like how he sleeps and his inability to use a certain soap. Also included are stories from other people about their first and/or last periods. I love Kelly's writing style, and his stories are definitely relatable and engaging. |
This is probably my favorite issue of Kelly's zine. He takes us on a musical journey of his life, starting with the early years of listening to New Kids on the Block, Color Me Badd, and Boys II Men, to present day where he listens to Estelle, Beyonce, and Fergie. He associates different times in his life with certain songs, and tells us stories about those times. It's very personal, and I felt so connected to it - probably because I listened to the same songs growing up. And he likes Mariah Carey! I think Kelly and I need to hang out and listen to some Mariah jams. In this issue, you'll also find a list of his favorite albums. So much fun! I adore it! |
This is a very unique idea for a zine - maybe it's been done before, but I've never seen it. Kelly writes about the best thing that happened to him every day for an entire year. It's a text-heavy issue, and I read it in one sitting. I was so engrossed in his life, and I feel like I really got to know him. He writes about visiting with friends, taking square-dancing lessons, attending the murder trial of Angie Zapata (and the emotional activism involved), mental health issues, working at the Denver Zine Library, and more. There's so much here, and it's quite an interesting read. |
This is the second issue of the popular zine-makers guide. It's been completely rewritten, with a new layout, more pages, and an updated list of distros, shops, libraries, and zine fests. Also included in this professionally-bound zine are how-tos of zine layout, photocopying, submitting your work to distros, bookbinding, paper making, block printing, navigating the postal system, and starting your own distro. Plus, there's a bunch of tips and etiquette about trading, zinesters in prison, zine readings, organizing a zine event, and much much more. This little book is the ultimate guide for any zinester, from beginners to people who have been doing this for years. |
In the introduction, Taryn writes “How is it that the same year can be both the very best year I've ever lived and the very worst I've ever suffered through? This is a documentation of the living and the suffering. This is my 2007.” Although most of this zine focuses on the positive, we learn that sometimes, things that look great from the outside are difficult and painful when experienced. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but that's how this zine made me feel – and I liked that about it. In this issue, she writes about interviewing Gwen Stefani for a magazine, and the slight disappointment in the process and answers she received from Gwen. Taryn also writes about realizing her dream of opening up a brick-and-mortar shop, and the work that came out of doing that; there's the bills and struggling to stay afloat, while also maintaining a relationship. But she also lets us know of the good in it, and why she decided to make the leap in the first place. |
A small and intimate zine is about falling in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way, and the heartache that comes along with that. Taryn also writes about deciding to give her zine collection away, realizing she can't, and then enjoying zines all over again. I adore Taryn and her writing style. |
I have had the pleasure of meeting Sage in person a few times over the years, and I adore how her lovely, creative nature really comes through in her zines. In this issue of Tattooed Memoirs, Sage writes about campaigning for Obama, finding clarity in her life after some troubling times in her marriage, and her love of creating and being with her family. She also touches briefly on her move from Philly to Georgia, and the death of her step-dad. |
This zine is written in diary format, which I always enjoy. Maranda tells us about her desire to change her last name and how much of a pain it is. She also talks a lot about going back to school, and how her mental health and anxiety affected that - and her subsequent bitterness towards the mental health system. There is also a part about being a vegetarian, and how people make fun of her or judge her. |
Maranda writes about streets, towns, and how they change - wanting to leave, and always feeling homesick wherever she is. She also discusses an old job, and the memories she takes from it. Here is an excerpt: “I like reading about towns and cities. I like reading about coffee shops and sidewalks and bedrooms and memories. I like writing about them too and I want to share my stories.” |
It seems like I haven't seen as many split zines as I used to, so I was excited when I heard about this. Tukru writes about her strained relationship with her brother, visiting friends she knows on the internet and the awesomeness of it all (I can so relate!), feeling down on her birthdays, and starting anti-depressant medication. Maranda writes about her bike (riding it at night, visiting the library, her fear of getting it stolen, accidents, and more), being told she doesn't fit in in her town, being surrounded by negativity, and dealing with anxiety at zine gatherings. |
Winter can be a depressing time – the days are short, there's lots of darkness, and the cold weather makes it difficult to get out. Maranda has compiled 28 tips on how to survive the winter – ranging from the silly yet funny (scoff at people who complain about the snow!), to the practical (write lots of letters to friends!). It's a simple and cute read, but it pretty much cured my winter lethargy. |
The subtitle of this zine is "converstations with women who aren't married and don't want to be." Katie (who also does The La-La Theory zine) interviews a number of zinesters, including Raequel (Childlike Empress zine), Ciara (Learning to Leave a Paper Trail), and Johanna (Sisu). The answers are all different, but there are many common threads - mostly issues dealing with religion, gender discrimination, and the unneccessary involvement of the state in someone's relationship. |
Melanie writes in her introduction: This zine is "about sharing ideas and knowledge. Connecting with others and understanding more about people's ideas, through their responses, and their thought processes - the whys and what fors. I guess I wanted to collect a series of oral histories: acknowledge the ideas, actions, and creativities (in the widest sense of the word) of these individuals." Inside, you will find conversations with queer activists, authors, riot grrrl musicians, comic book store owners, zinesters, and more. A lovely group of people - including Kate Bornstein, Lex McQuilkin, Carla Bozulich, Melissa and Tui, Nan Turner, David Lester, Madigan Shive, Moe Bowstern, and Debi Withers. |
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Sassyfrass Circus #3 - by Jenna - half size - 26 pages
Sassyfrass Circus #4 - by Jenna - half size - 26 pages
shortandqueer #12 - by Kelly - half size - 19 pages
shortandqueer #13 - by Kelly - half size - 27 pages
shortandqueer #14 - by Kelly - half size - 39 pages
Stolen Sharpie Revolution 2 - by Alex Wrekk - quarter size - 144 pages
Sub Rosa #4 - by Taryn - quarter size - 30 pages
Sub Rosa #5 - by Taryn - quarter size - 30 pages
Tattooed Memoirs #6 - by Sage - half size - 16 pages
Telegram Ma'am #15 - by Maranda - quarter size - 24 pages
Telegram Ma'am #16 - by Maranda - quarter size - 22 pages
Telegram Ma'am #18 / Your Pretty Face is Going Straight to Hell #9 split - by Maranda and Turku - quarter size - 70 pages
Telegram Ma'am #19: The Winter Survival Issue - by Maranda - quarter size - 14 pages
White Blackbirds - by Katie and contributors - half size - 34 pages
With Arms Outstretched - by Melanie and contributors - almost full size - 68 pages
You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania #1 - by Sari - half size - 24 pages