There can be a divide between perzines/text-heavy zines and illustration/comic/art zines. I don't mind admitting that I used to have a barrier between me and comic 'zines. It's true that I will never have any love for the super-hero stuff - though I don't dismiss that trait of loving them, in other people - but I have now seriously warmed to comic style 'zines. That is, hand-drawn picture-filled 'zines, sometimes done as strips/stories, sometimes as accompaniment to personal writing, sometimes the dominant narrative. I think the zines that first turned me around was a music zine by Sammy Boras and Sarah Fogg. The topic and slant of humour drew me in, and their drawings/comics are just so skilful and full of personality; really good fun. The bands did not have to be ones I know/love for me to fall in love with Sammy's work. She makes many other zines, so do check out her Etsy shop. Sammy Boras makes the most incredible zine badges too! Soon after this, I met Lisa Stockley at a zine fair, and was so instantly smitten by her perzine which is full of her drawings. The Jellygoose Chronicles zine is just so cool! It is a real breath of fresh air. Dealing with serious issues like bulimia, as well as larking about, and with the most detailed and careful and wonderful drawings/art. This felt like a real turning point when I became totally open to comic style zines. Another zine that gets my vote is by Joe Besford. His work with Earthling Brains is excellent fun. He uploads a weekly comic strip, chronicling little life incidents/thoughts/jokes, on his site. I prefer to have the printed collection to go through. One of my favourites here is about work!: A zine called Scary Hairy that I found at the Radical Book Fair last year was really amazing, too, about reactions to and perspectives on female body hair. Lastly, I want to mention a really cool Belgian zine I found at a recent zine fair. Scissors and Chainsaws is a 'diary/comic zine' that was made for international zine month 2013. It is bursting with real life adventures of the feminist/anarchist creator. I can't wait to read more from Echo Publishing.
2 Comments
Maggie Danhakl
10/26/2014 01:16:30 am
Hi,
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AthemauraEnthusiastic about 'zines, libraries, gardening in the city, independent book shops/record shops/cafes, vegetarian and vegan, London in all its variety, local living/community. Archives
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