Posted on: September 25, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Transcendence #2 / 20 Pages / Half Size / [email protected] / Jamez Terry c/o SMYAL , 410 7th St SE , Washington, DC 20003.

Another issue of one of the best (and cheapest) zines compiling pieces by some of the most interesting transgendered, differently sexed, pansexual, and other individuals who identify as more than male or female. With some snazzy cover art of two robots, one already knows that this zine will be a killer, and it does not disappoint in any way. Starting out with Derionte’s piece about freedom in expression (written in a very personal first person), Transcendence #2 moves to a fictional narrative expressing the problems with being a sex worker in descriptive prose. There is also a double shot of Jay Williams’ ever-famous comics in this issue, which always are good for a little chuckle. The only major issue that I could come up with Jay’s comics is that they seem a little sketchy at points, but that does not really modify the broader joke of the piece. Taking a page from Sex, Death, and Ronald McDonald, this issue of Transcendence really seems heavy on the poetry content. This is not in itself a bad thing, but one wonders if the issue would only be stronger with a greater sense of balance in the prose, poetry, and comic pieces. Still, a strong zine that provides an outlet that may not necessarily be open for those individuals who contribute, living in places such as New Zealand, Connecticut, and Vermont.

Rating : 7.3/10

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