The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 10

There’s Anakin Skywalker, not even ten years old, piloting a pod racer around a tight curve. Another pod is closing in on him, the other pilot (who is not human, nor a close approximation) snarls or maybe burps, when suddenly his pod bursts into flame. A small clique of Tuskan Raiders (or Sand People to the uninitiated) is perched above the bend, the one holding a still smoking rifle raises it over his head and bellows an all to familiar sound.

This sequence takes all of five or maybe seven seconds. It does not advance the plot and it does not advance character, and yet here it is. A part of film history, so to speak. It’s been ten years of Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and yet this one instance, the Raider with his gun and his immediately recognizable yawp of victory and success, how many Star Wars fans remember it happening?

While it’s hard to call this sequence “fan service,” given that the limited Tuskan Raider dialect has no word for “lewd” or “racy,” it’s not hard to draw a connection between the two.

Some readers of anime and manga, certain fans of the genre, have an appetite for titillation. The human form, as idealized by the artist’s hand, should never be censored even at the expense of narrative. Yes, Story should be God in the hearts and minds of aspiring writers, but every now and then, eye candy plays the scantily-clad emissary of His word. And comics, while being a medium to convey the tenets of Story, are first and foremost a visual medium. (They won’t be releasing a Watchmen audiobook anytime soon, or at the very least, they shouldn’t.)

There are aspects of this issue which are explicit. Young artists have bravely tackled human sexuality, homosexuality, lust and other prurient tracks often thought of as
“mature.” But this issue isn’t trying to titillate for the sake of titillation (unlike “professional” fan services). These writers aren’t composing (ahem) “dirty pictures” for the sake of being dirty. This issue is, by this writer’s estimation, a reflection of an entire culture’s current trend towards provocation. If there is a controversy at the heart of fan service, it’s this: Why be titillating for the sake of titillation? Should anyone hear such a
question posed in earnest, respond simply, “Why not?”

What you, dear reader, will find within this issue is nothing more or less than a testament to the human condition. And to the artists who bravely submitted their most personal works for this issue, you have my sincerest gratitude.

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The The Zine Voume 4 Issue 9

Whether you are feeling the heat of deadline pressures of the warmth of summer this issue has the perfect theme for you: fire!

Did you see our new Zine header on the cover? Chiefly designed by A.I. and if you look in the upper left corner you will see the mini version of the new comic club logo chiefly designed by Kanami. Both the logo and the header contain embellishments by Kage, and Matabo. Thank you to everyone who sent in submissions there were so many great ideas!

So many people are interested in our end of year party, May 27th, we have had to make it invite only. All comic club contributors are allowed 2 tickets each. We will be showing animation and giving prizes for best costume.

Another great cover by Max.J. A flaming angel? Where does he think of these things?

Matabo’s burning with passion so this time he decided to write a poem rather than make an illustration (p1).

The Dark Rabbit: Little Usagi Riku is back with a short strip “The Fire Trick” (p2). I love her unique and nuanced style full of grit and detail!

On page 3 Kaname is reverting to her older toning technique, which should look better with our new production methods. Kaname joined Aidou, Makoto, & Itachi, in helping with Kami’s Chibi Adventures (p9) a team effort that reads a like an episode of Zippy.

K.K. has a cute cat for you to enjoy on page 4. It’s a happy kitty!

Then we have the beautiful drawing talents of Ryvirus starting on page 5. Lots and lots of Fire and don’t forget to check out the burning back cover she created for this issue.

We have the second installment of the late blooming hit “Fated” by Tangerine and the little cliff hanger at the end left my heart racing. Make sure your sitting down when you read this one. Where did she get those wonderful story telling skills?

AI is bringing back Sin on page 15. It’s an amazing 10 pages that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you wonder why, and it may even leave you a little itchy. It looks like all of the work pestering her has paid off because there are quite a few things resolved in this episode. For all fans of Sin, including myself, this issue is not to be missed.

Konoha ends the issue with a 4-page installment of Bonded with another beautiful cover by our art director Kage. If you want the lowdown skinny on all things bonded you will have to read her letter (which can be found on pIV of the readable pdf file).

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The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 6

Ninja. What a great topic! You could have happy ninja, sad ninja, emo ninja, ask a ninja, and FLYING NINJA!!! Yes Flying Ninja is back, but first.

We have a nice little cover featuring the stylings of Max J who has been busy in this issue. He also wrote and illustrated two poems which Flare claims will be inspiring to the artist in us all (p3). Then he also submitted some nice art (p5).

Speaking of Robert aka Flare we start this issue off with a poem of his recommended by Max J (p1). Flare seems to be reaching for some new forms and I’m excited to see where it takes him.

Lu² is back with her second submission of the year (p6). I’m sure it’s hard being a senior trying to squeeze everything you can into that last year.

Oh. eM. Ge. Geee. You can’t see me. Mee. I’m blending in just like a pine tree. TREE! Sorry about that I just got a little distracted for a moment. Ahhh speaking of pleasant distractions Pa-San has placed two of them in this issue (p8 & p39)!

With a theme like Ninja Chewy is in her element so of course we can expect something great coming from her. She has submitted her first work as an author (p9) and she has been inking Big Pride’s work again Where we discover the origins of the FLYING NINJA (p10)!

Wangsta’s back (p11) and with a great new story involving ninja and coeducational intrigue. Can you say layout talent? The execution is so good on this one: layout, pacing, character variety. I hope there is more!

AI the once and future mangaka has some laughs waiting for you on (p17). All sprouting from a very little ninja surprise in the world of Sin!

Then Star continues to explore the relationship between Star, Biocide and Bio’s brother (p20). There is nothing like familial competitiveness to add drama to a story.

Winding down the issue is the continued team effort by club officers Kage and Konoha in Bonded (p 23). Then Konoha brings us back from the Land of Muse in Dragon’s Dream (p 28).

Finally we close the issue with the latest contribution by our dark horse contributor Lil Usagi Rikku taking up the coveted back cover location.

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The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 5

A quick glance at the table of contents will show you that we have 25 articles from 21 contributors! Does it get any better than this!?!

The theme for this issue is Ghosts and Rejection. Ouch! We all know a thing or two about those topics so there is plenty of great material and our contributors lost no time in exploring it’s full potential.

First Off we have a great cover by one of our star artists Star! (What an appropriate name!)

Doing the cover didn’t slow down Star either because she’s right back at it with the next installment of Shadows of Doubt (p57). Will Rhys and Kaze join Star and Biocide as they escape the city? Or will they just stay home and comb their hair? I sense were about to be set up for a big change in this one!

Mukey has created a fun ethereal piece for page 1 and then a disturbing tale of two brothers called Spirit Bond (p17). A little funny & a little creepy. Mukey is a talent worth keeping your eye on!

I’m sure you all know that Tribal is a very difficult comic to produce so it might be a while. In the mean time Charles McGregor has submitted some art for your hungry eyes (p2)!

The phlegmatic Robert Flare is back with another illustrated poem titled Fear of Rejection (p3). I’m sure you all know what he means.

Club President Maximillian Jay is tearing it up with another great poem Rejection & Aggression (p4). I had to insist that it not be type set because he has such a great hand and you would really be missing out if you didn’t get a chance to see it. Then two comics Opium Street (p5) and Spirited (p6) check them out and give yourself some time to digest and enjoy the work of this illustration virtuoso.

Robert Griffen and Hannah have made their first contribution of the year with Angry Eddie (p7) A quick little one pager that explains it all.

You don’t know it, but we’ve been holding a dark horse talent in the wings for some time and in this issue you will get your first taste of Lil Usagi Rikku. Don’t let the little name fool you behind it is some big talent. Rikku’s first effort is a one page ghost story called Rejected (p8). It’s smart & it’s funny.

Then another first time contribution Suicidal Girl by: Pen Boi (p9). If we keep pooling fresh talent this good we are going to have to start selling ads!

Cheese Cake is another first timer getting in on the fun with a quick reminder to our readers to Luff Thy Ghost (p10) which is good advice I personally take to heart.

Then Senior contributor Hue Lor is back, as promised, with the eagerly anticipated second installment of Moments in My life (p11).

Did you hear? Cocoa’s back! The Athena of comic club, born fully formed, has concocted for you the 3rd chapter in her yet untitled series (p13). Chapter 3: Steve & The Ghost is full of great twists that will shock you and may even leave you rolling with incoherent laughter. This is good stuff and if you haven’t read the first two you can find them on the club web site hscclub.net

Have you ever wondered what could cause a girl to scream “bite me” and then a boy to start crunching and gnawing on her arm relentlessly with inordinate exuberance until they eventually fall in love? Well you’re in luck because Kaname is back to answer that question and many more with a prequel called What Happened Before Alice’s First Kiss (p25).

Tangerine is making her debut (p31) with a great untitled piece full of ghosts, love, and bookworms with a twists… how appropriate. Quick Tangerine think of a title! I sense another series!

Arashi and Yura Moon have teamed up on their first effort! A feast for the eyes called Love of My Death (p34) and I can’t wait to see what they do next! Oh, and it reads Manga style so don’t forget to read right to left.

Are you ready for something funny? I know I am and here comes Na Na’s debut story Passion of Kai just in time (p37)! Na Na’s inventive humor is infectious so it’s going to be hard not to share this one with your friends!

Didn’t you love the piece by Annie Moua in the last issue! I think everyone did! Well she is back to continue the story and now it has a name. So get in line because there are all ready many fans of the new series Shine (p41).

Ok So we are all on edge for the next episode of Sin (p51). (I don’t know why I keep typing since everyone has already turned to page 51… I must go on! My integrity is at stake!) We all want to know if Envy and Vanity stay together, but also is Wrath going to have his way with the princess? And how does the princess feel about that? I have a strange feeling someone new is going to enter the scene. Oh and don’t forget to checkout the nice back cover also by AI.

Konoha has told me that Dragon’s Dream’s adventures in The Land of Muse are going to come to an end soon (p62). No worries though because we are finally going to get back to figuring out what is going on with the writer 122.13.7. I for one have been in suspense for months.

This is followed up by a beautiful drawing by our art director; Kage (p67).

Finally we have a stunning finish to this unprecedented issue of The The Zine. I am very excited to tell you A powerhouse creative team of Kage and Konoha have joined their creative talents to bring a new story to our pages called Bonded (p68). I’m glad to say it is nothing less than what you would expect from this talented and prolific team!

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