Canister X Comics

review from Anne: CANISTER X COMIX (No. 1--October 2011, 2--January 2012, and 3--April 2012)

20 pages (#2 is 24 pages), 5.5 x 8.5 $3 US, $3 Can/Mex, $4 world, trades maybe
A.P Fuchs
coscomentertainment@gmail.com
www.canisterx.com

Quarterly perzine/comic that's mostly autobio (though issue #3 is fiction and uses words with photographs rather than the drawing we see in #1 and #2). No. 2 is a 24-hour comic (and the back cover copy is pretty funny: "Inside this issue: a sleepless night, a bizarre superhero's origin, kids and bad language, expensive cupcakes,...and more!) with a wild array of various topics (there's a piece on "navel gazing" that's both gross and terribly funny) and it turns out the cupcake's a muffin (I'm not going to ruin the surprise on that one). But of all the issues I really found myself getting into the first one the most -- it's an origin story of how the author came to be where he is (writing and publishing; check out the website), but it's told in this really interesting, straightforward way that just pulls you in. I like autobio work generally, but I really kind of related to someone who was just putting it out there and explaining why he was doing what he was doing. It's worth checking out for sure.

BROOKLYN #77

review from Anne: BROOKLYN #77

24 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 $10 for a 4 issue subscription
(PAYMENT IN CASH!)
Fred Argoff
Penthouse L
1170 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn NY 11230

More Brooklyn reviews! Say it with me, people: “The name of this zine is BROOKLYN and that's also what the zine is about, Fred's beloved borough of Brooklyn." History, photography, you name it and it’s in here…provided it’s got something to do with Fred’s favorite borough. I honestly kind of love that I always end up with an issue of BROOKLYN in my mailbox; this particular one's theme is Bushwick.

I actually really like the photo on the cover of #77 -- it's a long aerial shot of a typical Brooklyn street, but I really just like the composition of it with the street dissolving off on the horizon. #77's a little different than other issues, because it's themed -- and it's full of interesting photographs and Brooklyn history. What I love about this title is that it always reminds me of the borough's rich and storied history; it's a history tour, but with current photographs; it's a fun, interesting read. Get yourself some Brooklyn already (and be sure to check out the Brooklyn-themed zazzle.com stamps Fred's been using for postage lately).