What small press comic creators can learn from punk

Small press comics are directly related to zinesgenerally self-published works with small circulation and a goal of exposure over profit. Most small press comics creators are aware that their properties are unlikely to end up on the front page of www.directstartv.com, but that’s part of the charm of these DIY publications. Many groups have produced zines successfully through the years, from Benjamin Franklin’s self-published literary magazine (distributed at a Pennsylvania hospital) to science fiction authors. One of the best-documented zine communities, though, can be found among punk fans and musicians. These creators set an example of how works can be cheaply distributed in the modern day.For example, PUNK Magazine was started in 1975 by John Holmstrom, Ged Dunn, and Legs McNeil. Besides attaching the term “punk” to the new wave of bands like the Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop, the magazine supported clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. The magazine also published comics, drawn by Holmstrom and future alternative comics celebrity Peter Bagge. The main purpose of these zines was to allow fans to comment and critique events and creators in the punk community. The technology of photocopying was instrumental in getting these zines out to audiences.Punk and other zines were often obtained through mailorder distribution outlets, some of which were founded in the 1970s and still exist today. Some zines have made it into bookstores, like Giant Robot and Maximum RocknRoll. Still others can be found in specialty zinestores or zine libraries devoted to special genres. Small comics publishers are sure to find an audience in these locations, or at one of the many zine conventions held around the country, including:

• Alternative Press Expo
• Boston Zine Fair
• Richmond Zine Fest
• Portland Zine Symposium
• Twin Cities Zine Fest