Reviews
Reviews of ITAK:
From NorthWest Zine Works: Number three, with its’ bright elephantine cover was a big hit at the Portland Zine Symposium. Inside we find the same high quality litzine that we’ve come to expect from ITAK and we’re not disappointed. From beautiful blue-and-green (yes folks a COLOR zine) marbled art, to Rick Silva’s poetry, this one is just as crammed as the previous ones. Dangerous Lee is particularly interesting this issue, with a dialogue regarding racial stereotypes in the music and media industry. Also included is the graphic story, “So…only Nixon could have gone to China”. Another sound issue with plenty of cartoon goodliness. Tastes like: A hot English muffin with butter and jam. Three bucks plus thirty-nine cents postage.
From NorthWest Zine Works: It takes all Kinds #2: Issue number two, follows in the same vein with #1. I was particularly drawn to the cityscape cover; the mix of bright colorful buildings on top with the underground tubes and things below gave me a sense of encompassment, which follows throughout the issue. In this issue is a solicitation for the International cartoonist Conspiracy, an advert for the Rice Print Shop and then leads into the initial article, The Sacred Book of Coffee. From there it’s one good piece after the other. A personal favorite is Misty O’Brien’s, “You keep-a knocking but you can’t come in: Door-to-door ministry at its best (or worst). Lots of poetry, more articles (Experiences in Retail Cashering in a Thrift Store, Reason #6245 why I’m not sure that my husband is straight, There’s gotta be something more / something more than this), and a heaping helping of cartoons round out the issue. Tastes like: A good cup of coffee with cream and sugar. Three Bucks
From NorthWest Zine Works: It takes all Kinds #1: It Takes All Kinds, with its color cover is a very healthy zine in a classic vein, containing some brilliant poetry and prose and lots of interesting cartoons.. I enjoyed it’s concept from the beginning, attempting to solicit and be as inclusive as possible, with an interesting commentary from the inside page regarding the name of the zine itself. ITAK has a huge volume of contributors as well as bios of each one – it’s format is two columns in digest size, smaller fonts. Layout is easy to read, with good use of white space for poetry and good delineations. In all, I feel this is really one of the better litzines out there. There’s just so much stuff in there, but it doesn’t give you this, ‘cramped’ feeling. I really liked Terror at Oakwood By Michael D Vizard (very Lovecraft) If you like a litzine with lots of variety this is defiantly a must-have. Tastes like: A buttery croissant – light and fluffy, but very satisfying and you really want to eat another one. Three bucks.
