As this bizarre year is coming to a close, I feel it’s time to reflect on one of the best ways to quarantine and preserve mental health: check out art. Having traded and received a lot of zines this year, here are some shout outs to artists and zinesters whose work I want you to see. As no one can edit a zine writers work, it allows the writer to share and say anything, allows for expression of marginalized and outsider voices to be heard, and is a more old fashioned human form of connection rather than electronic/social media . Click on the photos for links to their sites, and follow/support these folks!
“Pet” is a hand drawn comic that takes you to a fantasy world. It’s almost like “Alice in Wonderland” in flavor, but it’s something unique. Really talented work!
Alisha Walker’s story is terrifying: a young sex worker who defended her friend and herself against a violent client, and ended up in prison because of it. “A Survivor” is a collection of her poems and art collected while imprisoned. Buying zines will help support her and others like her!
“New Hearts New Bones #29” by Cheering and Waving Press
New Hearts New Bones has been around for years, and her anti-capitalist anti-racist reflections are inspiring to see. Plus this zine is pretty small and I don’t know how to make them like this. She also is a community organizer.
“Just Another Day” by BluRaven C. Houvener
“Lil Boy Jake (Just Another Day)” is a autobiographical tale of being abducted by aliens? BluRaven is an illustrator and storyteller who has been making comics for quite a while. Plus you can download a ton of his work for free!
The tiniest zine of 2020! Full of cute drawings of monstrous Halloween creatures 😊. Really cool! Kels also is a co-organizer of Pikes Peak Zine Fest and has been making zines for I don’t know how many years.
“The May Day Mystery” a zine by McGravin
“The May Day Mystery” zine is about an apparently real life mystery. I had not heard of it before so this zine is educational. It’s also extensive and well written, and whether you enjoy conspiracy theories or esoteric subjects, it’s a great quality zine.
“portrait of the artist as a young hydrothermal vent” by David Boone
This is a strange zine (and that’s saying something coming from me). Not sure if I understood it but it’s confusing and thought-provoking, and has lots of quotable material, like “Solar System Erasers”. I cannot find a website for David but you can read this zine online for free in the SCZF online library, click on the photo.
“we can’t stay here forever” by Jessica Faye
Really simple combo of poems and found photos, but the way it’s done is impactful and leaves you wanting more. Excellent work!
“2020 08 Sea Creatures in Color, Satanists and the Undead” by Katherine Montalto
Illustrations collaged onto little zines. I appreciate her style although the Undead one is a bit unnerving in 2020.
“A Few Good Boys” by M. Sabine Rear
This zine is an amusing collection of antecdotes about growing up surrounded by white men as role models. As a man of mixed heritages who watched Star Wars as a child, I can relate. Lando should have gotten way more screen time.
“It’s Tits: A Short Top Surgery Coloring Zine” by Forgetmesnots
A coloring zine is such a cool idea, but this one took it to another level. It’s an extremely personal subject and the author is very succinct in captioning the journey. I hope they make more coloring zines.
“Achy Hearts Make Weird Art” by Peachy Keen Press
A collection of the artist’s hand drawn feelings as symbolized or expressed through art. A lot of plants and other things that are not generally used to express feelings. Very unique.
A conversation between two labybugs. I love ladybugs. Also a super small zine. Sort of ladybug sized.
“Sacred Land: Diné Supporters Network”
Highly recommended zine with a ton of various info on Diné people (traditional name of the Navajo people). Plus it teaches some words in their language and about local plant life. Every American living on Native land (that would include every American) should appreciate and learn about Native cultures, history and language, especially of the lands you reside on and near.
“The Fantastic Voyage of the R.S.V. Conch” by Pink Pitcher
Super amazing illustrations and story in a fantastic historic setting. This is gorgeous and is an adventure to read.
S.A.P. Pressing 