Zine Scene
February 2006
by Billy Roberts

Flotation Device #11 ($5.00)
At long last, a new issue of Flotation Device! Number 11 is the most visually stimulating issue yet, an all comics issue! But did Keith really draw that many cartoons? Of course not! The lazy bastard employed a long list of his favorite zinesters and comic artists to ink out a continuous story—a brilliant idea! So, you have one big zine of Keith’s life, expressed through a ton of different artistic styles. The zine delves into his dark, dark past, giving us a variety of “shameful confessions”, talking about his high school days, and even telling us about the origins of Flotation Device. This issue is a lot of fun to read, especially if you are a comic book person. Half size, beautiful color cover, 64 pages long.

Meniscus #14 ($3.00)
Pretty evenly divided between Matt's great writing and his amazing artwork, this issue has a little bit of everything. The pages of text and stories explain his urges to write (or not to), his dream-come-true of working in a video store/comic book store, and even his many-month-long battle with Columbia House (yes, the stupid music and movie thing that Matt was silly enough to partake in.) Sprinkled throughout these stories are a handful of his comic strips, such as Love, and Hobbeson and Chives, the crime fighting butlers! If you are already aboard the Meniscus freight train, then of course you will pick this up. If you aren't, then what's taking so long? Read this, it's funny and good. Half size, 52 pages.

Love, Chicago ($5.00)
A new glossy covered magazine to sprout up in the Windy City, Love, Chicago seems to celebrate just that, a love to/for/from Chicago. Interviews with local bands, local retailers, local art galleries, and the like are in depth and well written. Articles and stories would be of interest to any audience, but for Chicago residents it's especially fun to read, as you will most likely find a name or place in here that you are already familiar with. My only real complaint is that it would have been nice to see them reach out beyond the somewhat typical "scene", that is to say perhaps cover a gallery in Pilsen instead of Wicker Park, or interview a blues band instead of indie rockers. But all in all, this looks like a good addition to the Chicago writing culture. This particular issue includes features on The Tossers, MOTO, Echo Gallery, Bloodshot Records, Vive La Femme, and much more. Full size, 48 pages.

References

Quimby's
Loop Distro! (run by me!)