Aliens, cults, and pleas for readers might just be the mainstay of premiere issues. Unfortunately, that means it’s hard to know what this zine might evolve into, but a couple items leave us hopeful. “Writers Block” makes its statement about our times by featuring, side by side and with dates, three poems on solitude and the soul: one by Poe, one by Keats and one by the zinester that highlights Jimmy the Microbe Boy – surely a poignant commentary. Another promising bit introduces us to Lost Billy, a fella that knows that the only thing he knows is nothing. shank also gives us very brief reviews, a questionable events listing section and the first installment of a so far uninspiring fiction piece. Did I already say this is a premiere issue, and offer to cut shank some slack? I meant to.
zine / premiere issue / main creator: D.M. Lowes / publisher: shank publications / $2, $10 for annual, bi monthly subscription / 5879 Bathurst St., Suite 208, Willowdale, ON, M2R 1YZ