Add two cups of post-9/11 angst, a generous helping of pro-wrestling babble, a pinch of good old-fashioned honesty, and viola, you have Psychlone #9, “the rasslin’ special issue.” This zine is the handiwork of Steve Marlow and what it lacks in visual “oomph” (its standard black and white format is reminiscent of a cheap handout at your local AA meeting), it more than makes up for in content and candour. About half of the zine is dedicated to Marlow’s love of the mat wars, including a lengthy feature about that lovable juice pig Hulk Hogan and an amusing yet informative lexicon of “wrestlespeak.” There is tons of other wrestling stuff in here, but the issue also draws heavily from Marlow’s personal diary entries, which touch on everything from the US’s involvement in the Middle East, freedom of speech issues, and an excellent use of the underrated expression “batshit.” The honesty of Marlow’s writing comes across in spades and you’re left with a portrait of a man not trying to change the world, but simply trying to find his place within it. Throw in some zine, movie, and CD reviews and you have an action-packed 28 pages. It’s true! It’s damn true! (Cameron Gordon)
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