Spanning July 2008 to September 2009, the most recent issue of Anne Thalheimer's Booty series includes an hourly comic, a trip to Belfast with her mom, cat stories, Anne's love of minicomics and how they fulfill the need for instant satisfaction (I definitely feel this one!), and an emotional--if enigmatic--piece about recovery from violence and how it's never as complete as we think it is. $2, half-legal, 16 pages.
Anne's comic starts out with an explanation of why she is a roller derby referee. She moves into comics about the card game Apples to Apples, and wintertime memories. The longest story is about "Mr. California," a shifty boyfriend who can't take a hint. Cute, quirky drawing combined with fun storytelling make this one great comic series! $2.00, half-legal, 16 pages.
The newest issue of Anne's personal comic is about her experiences as a roller derby referee. The stress of constant practice and bouts wears on her, but a real enthusiasm for the sport shines through. There are also one-page stories relating to stress reduction and Halloween costumes, and a diagram of what to put in your roller derby gear bag. Charming hand-drawn illustrations throughout, in Anne's usual doodley style. $2.00, half-legal, 16 pages.
Description coming soon! $2.00, half-legal, 16 pages.
The latest issue of Alex Wrekk's long-running personal zine is filled with travel stories, both original to this issue and reprinted from the Birthdays and Christmas one-shot. Cut and pasted in Alex's iconic punk-inspired style, these tales of travel gone wrong, growing up in Salt Lake City, and encounters with incredibly rude people in the "straight world" (my favorite piece!) are a treat for both long-time fans of the series and new readers. $2 $1.50, quarter legal, 40 pages.
The latest issue of my (Erica, your friendly neighborhood distro lady) personal zine discusses moving to Baltimore, mental health issues, and wacky stories from the many day jobs I've had over the years. The bulk of the zine centers around my diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder at the age of 26, and the difference that treatment has made in my life. Slightly illustrated throughout, with hand-colored covers. $1, quarter sized, 32 pages.
The fourth issue of Breakfast at Twilight is all about my new-found love of biking. In 2010, I moved to the suburbs of Baltimore, MD, and couldn't easily take public transportation. At first, this made me very sad, but then I (re-)discovered one of humanity's greatest inventions: the bicycle! In this zine, I talk about why I don't/can't drive, mention some interactions with drivers, tell you how to bike (kind of) safely in suburbia, give a short urban planning history lesson, and describe the positive effects of biking on mental health. A 101 guide geared for the potential suburban cyclist, which will hopefully spur you to ditch your gym membership, buy a bike, and start enjoying your commute instead of just suffering through it. $1.50, quarter sized, 40 pages.
In the second installment of Jesus' adventures on Earth, Jesus and his young disciple Patrick team up with Mor-Bot the Latter-Day Android. Meanwhile, Satan gets fired and takes it out on everyone's favorite savior. Great for your Christian friends! (Note: issue #2 does not require having read the out-of-print issue #1.) $1, half-sized, 28 pages.
This anthology contains seven short comic stories by artist and writer Soren Lundi, spanning time periods and mythologies, featuring mad princes, immortal wooden dolls, and chainsmoking androids. $5 $3, trade paperback, 150 pp.
Courtney's (Muse) anti-love letter to Alabama was written after she packed up and moved from North Carolina to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to attend library science school. The move came with an unexpected downside in the racist and conservative attitudes of some of her classmates. While certainly not indicting all Alabamans, Courtney describes the self-silencing she must go through to be safe in her new location, from being forced to tear a pro-choice sticker off her car to having to check her political ideals at the door in order to have at least a few friends. There's also a piece about the underfunded and underutilized recycling program in Tuscaloosa, and how its mismanagement by clueless city officials has had devastating consequences for the working-class community who must live next to the plant. I've never moved to a drastically different geographical location (yet), but as someone who grew up in a more conservative area the themes of alienation rang true, and I think this would be a great zine for anyone who feels out of step with their surroundings, whether they're a native or a newcomer. $2, quarter-sized, 36 pages.