The original idea for this website was to archive some of the 'zines I've done - most notably Faggo but as well, Werds, Zetetic and C.O.H. (just to give history and perspective with me and 'zines... since 1986!). This was the biggest and hardest part to create as it meant transcribing a LOT of photocopied words on paper and scanning stuff (most of my older zine were NOT done on a computer.)
I think 'zines give a wonderful view into a person's life that just doesn't come across the same in mainstream press or on the internet. Zines are tactile - and as such, this website can only pay tribute to the visual image and typed word. Those crisp little folded pieces of paper with ink chipping off - putting your hand to the monitor just doesn't cut it!
So before I babble too much further - here's a run down of the 'zines i've worked on, starting with the most recent - ending with the begining.
This is the least 'zine and most magazine of projects - not my own project, but a job that I did thru Nettwerk - I included it here just to give perspective of my design growth. As far as content, none of this was dictated or written by me - but it was fun to do. Everything was designed by me - including the ads as it was all Nettwerk related in the end. Fun and rare to have such creative control in a full color format.
Werds was 4 issues published within 2002/2003 with print runs of approximately 10,000 each.
Click on any of the images for a larger view
and to see the other pages within each issue
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Faggo was neccessary. At this point in my life I had dreamed up a whole fantasy-land where everything that was punk was also queer. This 'dream' would also turn into the reality of the Queer Punk Collective and the local band the Skinjobs. This may not have been a reflection of the world as a whole, but it was the shape of what I wanted to see it as. Sorta like the great quote - "art is not a mirror to reflect society, but a hammer with which to shape it" (wish i can credited that, but I'll have to do some research). This 'era' (in my life) was where my 'punk' and 'queer' identities melded into one - a neccessary process for my growth as a person.
Faggo was 3 issues published between 1999 and 2002 with print runs of about 500 each.
Click on any of the images for a larger view
and to see the other pages within each issue.
Printable PDFs (approx 6MB each)
Download a PDF of your favourite issue - Faggo #1 or Faggo #2 or Faggo #3
Textcopy
View/read an HTML version of the text within these issues! Faggo #1 or Faggo #2 or Faggo #3
Oh yeah, feel free to print something from here for your own personal use - but nothing can be re-printed without permission from the author (and that's not always me - and I may not be able to get a hold of the original author) - so ask first or forever be a loser!
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This was a 'work' related 'zine that i did while working for YouthCO AIDS Society in the P.O.P. program (hence the name) - basically I made it so I could transfer one of my passions ('zine making) into a part of a paying job. Zines are a very empowering medium that not only provide a voice for a community, but also document it. I think it had a great impact on the members and volunteers of the program and I was happy to transfer my skills and document another great community that I was a part of. Please note that I felt the project was more important for the youth involved than for some of the 'legitimacy' of some of the pieces that were 'lifted' from other publications - ones the youth wanted to include (it made their day) that I cannot remember or probably didn't even know where they came from - I hope no one getes pissed about that... please?!
Jiffy POP was 2 issues published between 1996 and 2000, half letter size with various print runs.
Click on any of the images for a larger view
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Whereas my first 'zine C.O.H. was a 'fun' 'zine - Zetetic was a 'serious' 'zine - maybe too much at times (in relfection) but all in all, it was the forum for me to discuss politics, humanity and compassion - and even some self-righteousness for good measure. Issue #6, was a carry-over from C.O.H. and so I put it in both sections - some of Zetetic was half-size, some mini-oragami size - at times almost like a journal more that a zine - much like what would become known as 'personal' zines - not so much about interviewing bands or people as much as writing about the journey in life. Very 'emo' as it may be called today. I was much too much above such labels at the time - lol.
Zetetic was 6 issues published between 1991 and 1995 with varying print runs.
Click on any of the images for a larger view
and to see the other pages within each issue.
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We all have to start somewhere - so why not at the beginnng - eh? C.O.H. was an acronym that changed meaning, and in the end was forgotten about - this 'zine was inspired by Subversive Behaviour 'zine that a couple of punk kids in grade 10 did (when I was in grade 9) - I couldn't believe that they could interview bands and create their own 'zine - the whole idea was mind blowing - reading issues of MaximumRocknRoll also made me aware that people were doing this around the world. I was amazed and wanted to be a part of it - so together with my friend Mike - C.O.H. was born. It's a very interesting way to document one life - so though it is on one level the begining of my 'design career' it is also another document into the world i grew up in, and how I saw it - or wanted to see it.
C.O.H. was 6 issues published between November 1986 until sometime in 1991 - all 6 issues were published half-letter size with varying print runs.
Click on any of the images for a larger view
and to see the other pages within each issue.
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