If zines could win awards, The Secret Files of Captain Sissy should definitely get one. Andy Cornell, creator of Captain Sissy, is an amazing person. The zine benefits from Andy’s education in cultural studies. He examines life in a thoughtful, provocative way. He is a very political person, and his politics focus around his personal experiences, which makes his writing strong and effective. This zine is the result of a lot of work, thought and passion. At the beginning of the zine, Andy admits that he has spent a lot of time studying culture and not enough time making it, but this zine destroys his theory. A large portion of the zine is a series of diary entries that chronicle Andy’s experience as a summer intern with the Carpenters Union of San Francisco. This section is personal and political and offers a look into the complicated world of unions. Andy also examines his activities as an academic, activist and punk, looks at the cohesion and interaction of activist groups and thinks about teen angst and violence. But he still knows how to have fun! In one adventure, Andy and a couple of his friends set up a small road to appeal to teenagers cruising a strip of highway. Their exploits are an example of performance art, and satire. Andy also creates some excellent culture jamming, anti-corporate art. The secret files of Captain Sissy are so good, they shouldn’t really be kept a secret. (Alexis Keinlen)
zine, #4, 63 pages, $3, Andy Cornell, 3907 Wedgewood Dr, Portage, MI, 49024