Issue #99.5

Review: Through the Billboard Promised Land Without Ever Stopping

Initially penned in 1971, it was not until recently that House Sparrow Press published Derek Jarman’s voyage for the first time. Steeped in notes of Americana, the brief novella is a poetic fairy tale of a fantastical road trip across a trippy landscape.

Review: Proof I Exist

Honest and reflective, Billy McCall provides anecdotes that are both workaday and philosophical, in a voice that adds to their relatability. The zine calls to mind the capitalist question of our times: how does one continually produce quality content?

Review: everyday oil

A perfect prologue to Kate Beaton’s Ducks, everyday oil brings to light each organization involved in oil, every new pipeline, private clubs founded by oil men, the realization of downtown Edmonton’s building names and where they originate (spoiler alert: oil).

Review: Boat Life Vol. 1

The perfect blend of the mundane, the nostalgic and the fantastic, Boat Life collects Tsuge Tadao’s stories serialized from 1996-2000 in a wonderful volume. The river might just be the perfect place to escape and find oneself.

Review: Boobless

In an age where gender affirming care is increasingly being restricted, it is a political act to describe your journey through top surgery. Boobless breaks down how difficult recovering from this surgery would have been without the support of partners, friends and family.

Review: Resist #50

Mat Resist’s DIY institution, which I first encountered at a Christian alternative music festival held on a former pig farm, hits a milestone. Surviving and thriving in the Anthropocene.

Review: Troll

Troll tells the story of what happens when one never returns from those youthful spelunking expeditions, but instead chooses to live down in the cave with all the bats, snakes and guano.

Review: Bones

Bones is a joyful, seafoam coloured zine covered in skulls, 70s orange flowers, beautiful brown vines, and white specks of dust.

Review: Artist

Amusing as it is honest, Artist achieves what few can in creating a cultural product about artists that doesn’t fall prey to the temptation to navel gaze or air sour grapes.

Review: If It Gets Quiet Later On, I Will Make a Display

Nick Thran’s book-fueled memoir revolves around Thran’s move from New York City to Fredericton, New Brunswick — in itself a shocking enough contrast that is layered on top of a change in lifestyle (home-ownership) and career (moving to full-time childcare).

Review: On Sneaking

Jon Iñaki’s comic outlines their philosophy and tips to avoid detection. You must avoid lures that lead you into traps. You must unmesh yourself from the distortions that have so far distracted you from your path.