Author: Nyx

‘Bots is ‘Bots: Issue Three
Gregg
http://botsisbots.blogspot.com.au/

Check out my reviews of the other ‘Bots Is ‘Bots issues in the Zine Review Index.

When I got my hands on the ‘Bots is ‘Bots zines, I considered writing about the series as a whole in one review. But this one is the one that made me decide that they all need their own review.

Of all the ‘Bots is ‘Bots comics I’ve read so far (admittedly, only three), this is my favourite issue. It has so much wordplay in it, and I love wordplay. Seeing it in comic form makes it even more fun. Where the first two issues seemed to have pretty solid themes, this one looks like it’s taking the piss out of itself. Having some fun and a laugh at the expense of the strangeness of life and the English language.

In each issue there is a part one/part two comic that ‘sandwiches’ all the rest of the content. That strip? Just keeps getting funnier.

I’ve mentioned before that I like seeing how a zine series can grow and change over time. I didn’t think there was anything missing from this series, but I’m happy to see some variety injected into it in the form of a (robot) movie review.

I’m looking forward to seeing where things go.

Wiseblood #37 The Cat-Sitting Issue
Fishspit
fuzzybunnyflatbunny@gmail.com

Sometimes you read a zine, and all you can do is experience it. Not think too much because it’s better for you to go along for the ride.

This is definitely one of those zines.

I received Wiseblood #37 (along with another) in a trade with Fishspit himself. After such charming short messages, how could I not be curious about a zine with this cover?

The content doesn’t disappoint from the cover expectation. Inside you’ll find three stream-of-consciousness style stories with a silly sort of humour that I think most people can appreciate. They remind me a little of Billy Connolly long, winding story humour (obviously less long and winding given the format).

I must know his cat-whisperer secrets. Haha.

I was a bit shocked a little at some of the content and language. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything that’s so clearly for an adult audience.

Frankly, someone, somewhere along the line is going to be offended by something in this zine. To be sure, it’s a curious zine.

“Personals”
JMAH + Contributors
personals.zine@gmail.com

After reviewing Zine Crush 3 and Dear Crush, I have to admit that I went into this assuming that ‘personals’ was going to be about dating.

Sometimes it’s nice to be wrong.

Rather than searching for love out in the wide world, “Personals” is about finding the love of one’s body. From wrists and necks to armpits and power pooches, it’s about love and appreciation for those body parts that give us (and sometimes others) pleasure in one way or another. Each piece is accompanied by art, and each piece of art is like a tribute to the body part the person is writing to.

They are sort of personals in the sense that some end with phone numbers. But they tend to be a sort of throwaway note. ‘Oh, yeah. By the way…’ I wonder if the numbers and emails are real, but I’m not game enough to have a go.

I like the lines that turn not only the interior but the cover as well into a notebook of sorts. It seems like such a small thing on the surface, but it’s sort of a subconscious suggestion that this is a notebook, making the content within more personal. (No pun intended.)

I do have to admit that I sometimes had to hold the zine a bit close to my face to read some of the pieces, but so runs the risk of using handwriting. Given the kind of zine this turned out to be, typing wouldn’t have worked as well. So I’ll take holding it close to my face for the sake of the art.

I have to mention the last piece. It was sad and beautiful, and it reminded me entirely too much of my own life. It was Clair de Lune, haunting me. I’m glad it was left until last.

“Personals” is a slightly different take on body acceptance, but what it does, it does well.