This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Fanzin <TAG1> is an amateur publication, usually created by a small group of people or even one person, that is dedicated to a specific topic or community. The name comes from English fanzine, abbreviations from fan magazine, i.e. «fan magazine». Unlike professional media, fanzines have always been an expression of personal voice, enthusiasm and independence — a printed manifestation of love for culture, music or ideas.
The first fanzines appeared as early as the 1930s among science fiction fans. One of the most famous early examples was The Comet, which was released in 1930 in the USA and is considered the first fanzine in the world. It was created by club members Science Correspondence Club and contained short fantasy stories, reviews and discussions of new scientific ideas —, that is, it was the forerunner of modern fan science fiction communities.
Over time, fanzine culture spread among fans of comics. In the 1960s, it appeared Alter Ego, dedicated to superheroes and the history of «comics from within» —, it printed artist interviews, fan drawings, and analytics about Marvel and DC's work. At the same time, there was Capa-Alpha, a unique fanzine comic club that functioned as a closed society: each member created several pages, and all materials were collected in a joint issue, which was then sent only to club members. This format actually became the prototype of future creative collectives and communities in the network.
The most powerful surge of fanzines occurred in the second half of the 20th century, especially with the emergence of the punk movement. It was then that fanzines became not just a hobby, but a tool of protest and self-expression. Legendary publications like Sniffin’ Glue in Great Britain or Maximum Rocknroll in the USA, they documented the life of the punk scene, song lyrics, fan opinions and even political manifestos. They were printed on photocopier, stapled and distributed at concerts or by mail —, it was a kind of «analog social network».
In the 1980–1990s, fanzines became popular among other subcultures: goths, ravers, LGBT+ communities, feminist movements. For example, a fanzine Riot Grrrl it became a symbol of female self-organization in alternative music, and Homocore <TAG1> is an important platform for the queer rock community. Each fanzine had its own handwriting — collage covers, typewriter prints, «live» layout without rules. It was this aesthetic that later influenced the design and visual culture of independent media.
In the 21st century, fanzines did not disappear, but only changed the format. Part moved to the digital space — blog and PDF fanzines continue the work of their paper predecessors, preserving the spirit of freedom. The other part, on the contrary, brings analogism back to the world of screens: modern fanzines are often released as art objects, with printing in small editions, experimental layout and a high level of visual design.
Today, fanzine — is not just a retro format. It's a way to stay independent at a time when media is subject to algorithms and trends. It reminds: to create a culture, you don't need permission — enough paper, scissors, imagination and the desire to share your voice.
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