Month: October 2018

Sometimes I read a zine I really like, but I don’t have enough to say about it to write what I consider a ‘full’ review. Bring in: Mega Mini-Zine Mini Reviews where I review five mini-zines in a mini fashion.

Genderqueer is…
Keira
https://www.instagram.com/k.huolohan/
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ZinesByKeira

Genderqueer is… is a full-colour one-page mini collection of thoughts on being genderqueer.

This zine is a journey of poetic definitions, each page dedicated to finishing the sentence started by the title. Where I expected a cut-and-dry “101” style of zine, I was pleasantly surprised to find this colourful, thoughtful zine.

Keira’s words inspire many imagines and feelings, and I’ve already gone back to read it repeatedly.

Cobalt/Periwinkle/Indigo Thoughts
Latibule
https://www.instagram.com/latibule_art/

Cobalt/Periwinkle/Indigo Thoughts is a set of three full-colour mini-zines that are a smidge bigger than A7. They are all collections of collages and thoughts.

The colour in these zines is gorgeous. I love the combination of washi, paper, and other elements all together. The written thoughts tie into the title in that they tap into sadness, loneliness, self-questioning, and more. On that note, I’d exercise a little caution if you are in a low mood/mindspace. But if you’re in a solid space, then take a look at these.

Dog. A Zine About Cats
Georgi
?

Dog. A Zine About Cats is a black and white one-page mini about cats – and a little bit about dogs.

This mini ‘had me at hello’ with a title that made me smile and an art style to match. Inside, you’ll find Georgi’s thoughts about cats (and a few about dogs) as well as drawings of Georgi’s cats, Tron and Nancy. The hand drawn page backgrounds are fun, too, with little hearts, flowers, and the like.

I’m sure I’ve seen Georgi’s social stuff somewhere, but with no link on the zine and my brain fog, I can’t find any at the moment. But if you do find this zine, grab it. It’s lovely and a zine any cat enthusiast would enjoy.

Things Things Think About
?
bearsandmonsters@gmail.com

Things Things Think About is a tiny A8 black and white zine about things that things (and animals) think about.

Okay, so the title was self-explanatory and more fun. Haha. This tiny zine dedicates a page to each illustration of a think or animal and what it is thinking about. (Who knew water coolers thought about maths equations? Probably to distract themselves from all the gossip.)

It’s short and sweet – you can finish it in under a minute – and it’s the sort of fun, random creation that makes me love zines all the more.

The Summer of ‘14
Rachael Carlson
https://www.instagram.com/tigerlilyknotwise/

The Summer of ’14 is a full-colour one-page mini collection of collage and haiku.

Colour! With collages full of colour and poems that touch on sunshine, rain, and the ocean, I can’t imagine a better title for this little lovely. I look looking through this zine on rainy days as I wait – mostly impatiently – for the sun to come back again.

Even if haiku isn’t your thing, I think there’s still enjoyment to be found in the feeling and visuals of this zine.

Hello, zine friends! I’m trying something new today. Sometimes I read a zine I really like, but I don’t have enough to say about it to write what I consider a ‘full’ review. Bring in: Mega Mini-Zine Mini Reviews where I review five mini-zines in a mini fashion.

Let me know what you think of this idea. Now onto the reviews!

5 O’Clock Press
Craig Atkinson
https://www.instagram.com/craiganthonyatkinson/

5 O’Clock Press is an A6 black and white handwritten mini about Craig coming back to zines and the wonderful world that zines can open up.

This is a quick read but one with lovely thoughts and feelings about zines. It reminded me of pleasant memories from when I first found zines. Craig didn’t include any contact details in this particular zine, but that could be intentional. All up, I can see myself reading this again.

Tales From Admin Support
Sober Bob
https://www.instagram.com/soberbobmonthly/

Tales From Admin Support is a one-page mini with mini tales from working in admin support.

Five tales will leave you shaking your head and understanding why Sober Bob isn’t eager to go back to that link of work. As someone whose partner has worked in various technical support roles over the years, I had all the empathy for Bob’s frustration.

I think anyone who has had a job they didn’t like (especially if it involved dealing with other people) would enjoy checking this out.

Sweet & Sour Split Mini-Zine
Xyendra
https://www.instagram.com/zippityzinedra/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZippityZinedraPress

Sweet & Sour is a one-page full-colour mini love ode to lemons and nectarines.

I’m not entirely sure because I’ve been doing this for a while, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen a one-page mini split zine. I love the idea and the extra thought that must have gone into the layout. Even more fun, the pages are numbered with little pictures of lemons on the lemon side and nectarines on the nectarine side.

This mini is just for the love, and some of the descriptions gave me quite a craving for fruit. Haha.

A Few Days in a Year of Ravens 1-3
debbieann@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/debbieannjizo/

A Few Days in a Year of Ravens is a set of three black and white mini-zines about the lives of a raven family.

These zines are like a bird-watching journal with experiments in feeding them different foods and other birds making an appearance in the ‘family’. I enjoyed the personalities that seemed to emerge with them and the whole family dynamic. I even laughed out loud when I read this in the second one:

“Dad came back – didn’t share.”

I think this is a series that anyone who likes birds will enjoy.

Little Things About Hawai’i
Anna G
friendshauna@gmail.com

Little Things About Hawai’I is a one-page black and white mini of, well, things about Hawai’i.

This is primarily a text zine with a wide variety of facts – absolutely none of which I knew. I found it funny how the first fact had me eager to visit but toward the end, Anna mentioned how many tourists die there due to ignoring caution signs.

Good thing I’m not a rule breaker. Mostly. Haha.

The great thing about this mini is that the facts aren’t boring. I like statistics and figures plenty, but I like life and personality a bit more.

Murals of Marin #1
True Zine Marin
https://www.instagram.com/shellbobmv/

Murals of Marin #1 is a full colour one-page mini-zine about the ‘True Colors’ mural in San Rafael, California.

It’s a short and sweet one for you today, zine friends. But like this zine gets right to the heart of what it’s all about, so will this review.

The zine opens with all the who, what, etc details of the mural, and the zine unfolds to reveal a full colour picture of the mural inside. There is so much absolutely gorgeous colour to take in and enjoy with this mini.

I really like this idea – especially as a series. I could see this ending up being a fun sort of zine tour series around Marin county. Everything is clear and easy to read, and I like the idea of other people making series like these for places they love.