Over the past couple weeks I’ve gotten some new zines in the mail and at random shops. Even though you may not see zines everywhere or plastered all over the Internet for sale, they still seem to be a viable form of communication, even if the real print industry is in shambles. Zines are a nice break from the instant gratification of things like this blog, facebook, and constant news updates and gossip. While “zine culture” does annoy me, I still can’t hide the fact that I love zines. Occasionally, I’ll see a bad one, but with the influx of blogs and easier forms of communication, they’ve been weeded out (Although I’m sure there are still a million Vegan Recipe/ Fixed Gear Diary esque zines hand bound with a bike cable or something equally as obnoxious.). In fact, any form of independent publishing is pretty awesome, especially when you read about something like commercially driven editorial. It’s nice to know people still make things with their own, uninfluenced thoughts. Recently, and not so recently, I’ve gotten zines from Roy Christopher, Ryan Connelly, Prashant Gopal, and one called Heavy humans III. Continue reading below for some words about each one.

1. lacabinalabama- Writer/ Jack of all trades, Roy Christopher came up with this gem of a zine. It’s mostly about a summer long return to Alabama as an adult and how skateboarding, music, and art still play a significant role in his life. From Naked Raygun mixtapes, to a photo portfolio of sorts by Rodger Bridges, lacabinalabama is fine piece of xeroxed material. For more information on Mr. Christopher check out his site here.

2. Ice Cold #3-  What started as a french fold piece with drawings and thoughts, has graduated into a half size piece of drawings and thoughts, only better. Ice Cold 3 is, in my own humble opinion, what a zine should be. It’s light, funny, and timeless. With articles that range from facts about Too Short to your constitutional rights regarding a police search, Ice Cold entertains and informs. To get ahold of one or to just learn more, visit Ice Cold’s blog here.

3. Yo, Sick.- This oneshot or french fold is created by Prashant Gopal. It’s short but very nice. I guess that’s my only complaint but it’s better to leave people wanting more than feel overwhelmed or bored. Oh yeah, the content. It’s basically some BMX photos from the Ottawa, Canada area with some thoughts and one-liners mixed in. Prashant also helps run Capital BMX which should lead you to be able to contact him, if you feel so inclined.

4. Heavy Humans III- This one is of the skateboarding artist variety, AKA Skateboarding Arteeest. Interspersed between line drawings are some hazy, xeroxed photos of ollies and landscapes. It’s a good one, a little predictable, but that’s ok. I picked mine up in Portland (Where else?) but you can visit the blog and see if you can pick one up over there by clicking here.