Burn Collector #14 Al Burian
Microcosm Publishing ISBN: 97-934620-05-2
File Under: Non-fiction, essays, Chicago
Many of you either know Al Burian from his columns in the now deceased Punk Planet or his great band Milemarker. You should also know him for Burn Collector. This is the 14th edition. A personal zine often gets too personal and doesn't offer insight. Al Burian shows you how to do it right giving great insight to the things that matter most to him.
This is a pocket size book that you can, you know, put in your pocket or backpack and read a little bit out of here or there. Basically what you get is a collection of Al's essays along with a smattering of his comics throughout the pages. The writing is about all things Chicago. There is a lot of talk about mass transit and bike culture.
He has a great essay about the demise of The Fireside Bowl. I am from Illinois and have spent some time in the Fireside so, that article really hit home. If you are not from Illinois, insert [name of cool place that closed down] wherever Fireside Bowl is mentioned and you will get the same effect.
There are long essays about the modern state of comics. One of the things I appreciate about Al is the recognition that there is a place for alternative (for lack of a better word) comics and Marvel comics.
As a long time Burn Collector and Punk Planet reader I feel like I know Al Burian. He is sure to grow old and become a cranky old man, right now he is an insightful voice.
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