Author: Bryan

  • Wuthipol Designs

    Wuthipol Designs

    Wuthipol Designs sits in that sweet spot where print craft, photography, and playful structure all collide. Based out of Bangkok, Wuthipol is doing work that feels both super clean and totally hands-on at the same time—like you can sense the cutting mat just off camera.

    A lot of the pieces lean into format as part of the idea. Not just “here’s a zine,” but “here’s a zine that folds weird,” or opens in a way that makes you slow down and actually look. There’s a recurring interest in illusion, sequencing, and how pages interact—almost like each book is a small system rather than just a container for images.

    Visually, the work pops. Bright colors, bold shapes, simple graphic moves that feel intentional without being overworked. Some of it edges into that risograph-adjacent vibe, even when it’s not strictly riso—flat color, strong contrast, playful geometry. It’s very satisfying in that tactile, print-first way.

    There’s also a strong teaching/demo energy in some of the output—like you’re not just seeing the finished zine, you’re getting a peek into how it works. That’s always appreciated in zine culture, where process is half the conversation.

    What stands out most is how approachable it all feels. Nothing precious, nothing locked behind theory. Just thoughtful, well-made objects that invite you to engage, flip, unfold, and maybe try something yourself.

    If you’re into experimental formats, bold color, and zines that treat structure as part of the storytelling, Wuthipol Designs is worth spending time with.

  • Salt Lake City – Grid Zine Fest

    Salt Lake City – Grid Zine Fest

    March 28-29, 2026

    Grid Zine Fest is basically what you hope a zine fest still is.

    It’s been running in Salt Lake since 2017, volunteer-run, and very intentionally “screen and algorithm-free,” which tells you a lot about the vibe right away (Grid Zine Fest). No jurying, no gatekeeping—if you’ve got a zine, you can table. Half tables, cheap fee, first-come-first-served. It leans more toward access than curation.

    It’s grown into a pretty solid gathering—around 100 tablers over a weekend now, split across two days (Grid Zine Fest). But it still reads like a community thing, not a polished expo. Close tables, loud room, people trading, talking, flipping through stuff. The usual good chaos.

    Overall, it feels like a fest that’s trying to hold onto what zines are about: small-scale, person-to-person, no polish needed. A place where someone with their first folded mini is sitting next to someone who’s been doing this for decades—and that’s the point.

  • Small Noise #3

    Small Noise #3

    Small Noise #3 is a quick, folded mini built around a single improvised comic. Hand-drawn, black ink, no polish—just straight pen to paper.

    The cover has that dense, scratchy horned figure with bold, uneven lettering. Inside, it’s a simple setup: a seated person and this looming horned character cutting their hair. “Snip snip” repeats across panels, carrying most of the rhythm. It moves more by feel than story—just a short, slightly off interaction that gets a bit stranger as it goes.

    Linework does most of the work. The horned figure is heavy and filled in, almost overwhelming the page, while the person is lighter and more open. That contrast kind of drives the piece.

    According to the back, it’s part of a series of short improvised comics, edition of 50 . It reads that way—fast, direct, no cleanup.

    It’s a small, quiet mini. More of a moment than a narrative.

    Media: Zine.

  • Mad Collage: Surreal Stories in Cut and Paste

    Mad Collage: Surreal Stories in Cut and Paste

    When you step into the world of Mad Collage, you enter a universe where scissors and glue conjure dreamscapes, satire, and strangely familiar visions. The artist behind the work, builds each piece with hand-cut fragments that collide in unexpected ways—an astronaut sipping coffee in a 1950s living room, a politician floating amid seashells, a ballerina spiraling through outer space.

    What makes Mad Collage stand apart is its commitment to the tactile. In an age when digital tools dominate, these pieces often begin with vintage magazines, books, and scraps. The human touch remains visible—the edges, textures, and deliberate imperfection become part of the storytelling.

    Themes range from the playful to the political. Some works satirize power, consumerism, or gender roles, while others dive headlong into surreal fantasy. Humor bubbles up often, yet it’s rarely without a sharper edge. Each collage feels like a puzzle whose meaning keeps shifting the longer you stare.

    The artist regularly shares her process, engages with other collage makers, and invites people into the cut-and-paste dialogue. Through workshops and online showcases, she opens the door for others to discover how a pair of scissors can transform the way we see the world.

    If you’ve ever flipped through old magazines and wondered what secrets might be hiding in their pages, Mad Collage shows you the answer: infinite worlds waiting to be rearranged.

    Visit Mad Collage to explore the gallery, learn more about the artist, and maybe even get inspired to make a collage of your own.

  • Lansing Artist Jimmy “Soup” Coyer Sets Sights on Neighborhood Print Studio In the heart of Lansing, Michigan

    Lansing Artist Jimmy “Soup” Coyer Sets Sights on Neighborhood Print Studio In the heart of Lansing, Michigan

    Courtesy of WLNS

    Local artist Jimmy “Soup” Coyer is turning his passion for independent comics and zines into a community resource. As the owner of Ultra Mega, an online store for unique goods, and the organizer of the Lansing Independent Comics and Zine Fest, Coyer has long been embedded in the city’s creative scene. His latest venture? Opening a neighborhood print studio on Lansing’s Eastside, designed to empower local artists with access to specialized printing equipment they might not otherwise afford.

    Coyer’s journey began while volunteering at a local maker space, where he honed skills in various crafts like woodworking and blacksmithing. However, he noticed a glaring gap: no dedicated facilities for printmaking. “They can’t really accommodate a print space there. It’s more like woodshop, blacksmithing,” Coyer explained in a recent interview. This realization sparked the idea for his own studio, focused on providing tools like a Risograph machine—a Japanese copier that uses soy-based ink and stencils for efficient, eco-friendly printing without heat.

    The studio is being built in two rooms of a home Coyer purchased last August on the Eastside. Over the past year, he’s transformed the space by building new equipment and sourcing used items from closing print shops. At the center is the Risograph machine, affectionately named “Friend,” which enables high-volume printing of posters, pamphlets, zines, comic booklets, art prints, flyers, and even poetry collections.

    “People can make art prints. They can make flyers for their events. They could make little zines or comic booklets. They could print their poetry. They can do a lot of things, honestly,” Coyer said, emphasizing its versatility.

    Funding has come through a GoFundMe campaign launched in June, which has already secured the Risograph along with black and fluorescent pink ink. Currently more than halfway to its goal, the fundraiser aims to cover additional needs like yellow and cornflower blue ink for full-color printing. Coyer envisions affordable access: “If they’re doing like a run of 100 prints, it could be as little as just like 10 bucks.” He plans to host open print days once or twice a month, where artists pay for materials plus a small upcharge for maintenance.

    Challenges remain, including acquiring more equipment to make the studio fully operational and outgrowing the home-based setup. Yet, it’s already proving invaluable for neighbors, particularly comics artists who previously relied on basic tools like tabletop paper cutters. “A couple of my neighbors are comics people themselves, and they have been using like these dinky little tabletop paper cutters, and they don’t have access to fancy printers,” Coyer noted, highlighting how the studio saves hours of labor.

    Looking ahead, Coyer hopes to expand with workshops, events, and more print methods. His love for the medium shines through: “I have always loved comics and zines, like independent stuff. I always thought it was a really cool mode of personal expression.” This initiative not only fills a void in Lansing’s art community but also fosters a collaborative space for creativity to thrive.

    Reference: https://www.wlns.com/news/lansing-artist-aiming-to-open-neighborhood-print-studio/

  • CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS: “It’s Alive!” Zine Explores the Mad Scientist–Monster Dynamic

    CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS: “It’s Alive!” Zine Explores the Mad Scientist–Monster Dynamic

    CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS: “It’s Alive!” Zine Explores the Mad Scientist–Monster Dynamic

    University student and zine creator Alexander Veigh is calling all lovers of science fiction, horror, and DIY publishing to contribute to an exciting final project: a print zine titled “It’s Alive!”, focused on the ever-compelling relationship between the “mad scientist” and their “monster.”

    This zine is a handmade labor of love that will be designed, collated, and printed personally by Veigh, with contributors receiving a free printed copy, plus stickers and a badge set as thanks for their creative offerings.

    What’s wanted?
    Anything printable that relates to the theme — art, poetry, essays, reviews, collages, or comics. Submissions from LGBTQ+ and POC creators are prioritized, and all contributors must be 18+ due to the mature subject matter.

    Deadline: June 7
    Contact: alexanderveigh@outlook.com

    So if you’ve got something bubbling in your creative lab—dark, dreamy, strange, or subversive—this is your chance to inject it with life and join the experiment.

  • Pittsburgh’s PublicSource Zine Initiative

    Pittsburgh’s PublicSource Zine Initiative

    PublicSource, a nonprofit newsroom based in Pittsburgh, has introduced a new initiative to bring journalism directly into local communities through the creation of neighborhood zines. Their first edition focuses on Pittsburgh’s North Side, aiming to foster deeper connections between residents and the stories that shape their neighborhoods.

    A Tangible Approach to Storytelling

    Departing from their usual digital format, PublicSource chose to produce a printed zine—a small, hand-held publication designed to be accessible and engaging. This low-tech, high-touch medium encourages readers to slow down and engage with the content without the distractions of digital devices. The zine is distributed in local community centers and coffee shops, making it a familiar and approachable resource for residents.

    Content Rooted in the Community

    The North Side zine features a curated mix of previously published PublicSource stories relevant to the neighborhood, along with new reflections, photography, and contributions from community members. This blend of content aims to capture the essence of the North Side, highlighting the people, ideas, and issues that animate the area.

    Building Trust and Engagement

    Recognizing that some individuals may feel disconnected from traditional news outlets due to factors like digital fatigue or a lack of trust, PublicSource’s zine initiative seeks to bridge that gap. By delivering journalism in a more personal and place-based format, they hope to reconnect residents with their community and encourage dialogue around local issues.

    Looking Ahead

    PublicSource views this zine as the beginning of a broader effort to engage with neighborhoods across Pittsburgh. They invite residents to share feedback, suggest story ideas, and express interest in bringing a zine to their own communities. For more information or to get involved, readers can visit PublicSource’s North Side page.

  • Copy This Cassette –  #3 (Zine, 2025)

    Copy This Cassette –  #3 (Zine, 2025)

    GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker, :

    There’s something undeniably comforting — and exciting — about holding a zine that’s this tuned into the pulse of cassette culture in 2025. Copy This Cassette #3 is the third installment of Blake’s cassette-focused zine, and it might be the most robust yet. Clocking in at 64 digest-sized, black-and-white, saddle-stapled pages, this issue is a throwback in format but forward-looking in spirit.

    The interview with Jerry Kranitz is worth the zine alone. While Kranitz is well known in cassette circles for Aural Innovations and his role as a chronicler of space rock and underground DIY music, this interview dives into his personal history in a way that felt fresh — even for someone like me who’s followed his work for years. It’s an inspiring look at someone who has stuck with documenting outsider music through the decades.

    The piece by Lama Toru on modern cassette playback options is another standout. It’s an exhaustive article that explores what’s available in terms of decks, walkmen, and portable players today — whether you’re looking to preserve a precious tape collection or dive in for the first time. It’s refreshingly practical, and maybe the most current state-of-the-format breakdown I’ve seen in print in recent memory.

    Of course, the real meat of Copy This Cassette! is in its “snapshot reviews” — concise, passionate, and plentiful write-ups of new cassette releases from across the independent music spectrum. These are not long-winded dissections; they’re fast, punchy capsules meant to spark your interest and send you down a Bandcamp rabbit hole. There’s a certain joy in seeing so many tapes getting attention in one place. It reminds you that cassette culture is not a niche—it’s a living, breathing scene with momentum.

    Blake’s motivation is clear: to fill the gap left by inactive blogs like Cassette Gods and to supplement long-running projects like Tabs Out with something tactile. In that mission, Copy This Cassette succeeds with gusto. It’s a zine by and for cassette heads — and whether you’re a lifelong tape freak or a new convert, you’ll find something to love here.

    Media: Zine.

    Bandcamp URL: https://copythis.bandcamp.com/merch/copy-this-cassette-3-zine

  • Exile Osaka – Issue #5 (Zine, 1998)

    Exile Osaka – Issue #5 (Zine, 1998)

    bikini kill, boredoms, doo rag, exile osaka, Masonna, motards, patti smith

  • Mobile Moon Co-op – Zine 17 – Summer Solstice 2021 (Zine, 2021)

    Mobile Moon Co-op – Zine 17 – Summer Solstice 2021 (Zine, 2021)

    GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker:

    There’s a calm hum to Zine 17 from Mobile Moon Co-op, like the kind you feel when your hands are deep in garden soil and the air smells like sage and sun. More than a zine, it’s a snapshot of a living, breathing project rooted in land stewardship, collective care, and deeply intentional community building.

    This edition, released on the Summer Solstice 2021, is stitched together with a rich and varied blend—poems that ground and uplift, illustrations that echo nature’s playfulness, recipes that feel like they carry stories, and educational notes on plants and healing. The voice throughout isn’t preachy or polished. It’s present. It’s a patchwork of voices and thoughts, and it thrives because of that rough-edged authenticity.

    The Mobile Moon Co-op’s Moonstead—an herb farm and community space—serves as the fertile soil from which this publication grows. Reading the zine, you feel connected not only to the land they describe but also to the process of transformation: from a vacant lot tangled with thistles and chicory to a chakra-aligned keyhole garden ecosystem that now hosts dinners, seed growers, and gatherings. There’s poetic resonance in that transformation, and Zine 17 documents it lovingly.

    This zine is not afraid to blend practicality with spirituality. You’ll find tips on growing and preparing herbs alongside thoughts about embodiment, restoration, and empowerment. The alignment of the chakra gardens isn’t treated as aesthetic whimsy—it’s purposeful, part of a broader commitment to holistic, sustainable living that honors both the land and the people tending it.

    What makes this zine stand out is how clearly it acts as a vehicle for the Mobile Moon Co-op’s mission. It shares knowledge, yes, but it also shares a feeling—a sense that you are not alone in caring, dreaming, or rebuilding. The pages offer not just information, but invitation.

    In a time when many publications chase trendiness or urgency, Zine 17 slows down. It asks you to notice. To breathe. To believe that community transformation can start with a seed, a story, or a shared meal.

    Highly recommended for anyone interested in land-based activism, herbalism, community care, and the radical act of hope.

    Media: Zine.

    Visit Mobile Moon Co-op