From the Stacks: July 14, 2006

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'Cartoon Travelog.' Not two words you see together often, but that's how Mats!? (yes, his name includes punctuation) defines Asiaddict, his silly and functional write-up on Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. It's actually as much a guide as a travelog -- beneath the bombardment of sensationalistic art and overabundant exclamation points, Mats!? gives sound advice about the attractions, transportation, and cultures in each country. He also weaves in the region's horrific history in highly readable form -- so readable, in fact, that one wonders if he isn't taking it too lightly. Perhaps intentionally, then, Asiaddict brings up timely questions about humor, drawing style, and even the definition of the comics/cartoon format. I'm not sure what Asiaddict is, but I do hope I see more things like it very soon. -- Rachel Jenkins

Iza Bourret recently divided her zine, Orange and Blue, into six smaller, focused zines. The Happy Loner is her 'perzine' (personal zine), a lovingly patched-together, scratched-out, photocopied artifact of a sometimes strange, always likeable individual. Bourret begins issue #1 by defining a happy loner -- 'a person who is content with doing things on their own' -- then takes us straight into her life in Quebec City. Bus maps and ferry schedules are the physical backdrop for endearing daily life stories -- a mouse on the bus, a new sweater from the thrift store, her friendship with the illiterate Marcel. The design is low-tech but eye-catching and clever. You'd never guess Bourret's first language is French; her writing is loose and conversational. The whole thing feels a lot like a letter from a friend. -- Rachel Jenkins

Also from the newly six-dimensional world of Iza Bourret… What happens when a cat is your soul mate? Though Bourret does not pose this question directly in Girl w/ Cat, she does make her readers wonder. This first issue of the zine is all about moving on as we follow Bourret through the process of grieving the loss of a cat that died two years ago. The pages are filled with slightly off-kilter musings such as, 'I wanted to make my life with him, but I could not.' A devotion that would be admirable directed at a lover is uncanny when aimed at a cat, yet Girl w/ Cat is a refreshing homage to the beauty and power of non-romantic true love. -- Suzanne Lindgren

The July/August issue of the UK-based Socialist Review caught my attention with its cover story 'Alternatives to Neo-Liberalism.' In the feature Alex Callinicos suggests that the left is gaining supporters, but lacks any concrete alternatives to the status quo. Rather than discuss multiple alternatives to neo-liberalism, Callinicos expands upon a single one, socialism, which -- given the title of the publication -- should come as no surprise. It is an interesting, though not entirely convincing, promotion of a new socialism. -- Suzanne Lindgren

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