The Phoenix-based operator of Wasted Ink Zine Distro gives a rundown of what zines are popping off, what reads are worth re-opening, and how they all help make sense of our world.
This piece was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of LOOKOUT Magazine
I’ve got a tower of zines stacked alongside my bedside table. These self-published booklets are filled with all sorts of content, often featuring queer experiences, resources, and expression.
It’s been part of my work at Wasted Ink to not only curate, but foster the development of these kinds of indie-printing jobs within the state. And Arizona has a solid DIY Zine scene that is worth checking out, if you don’t know about it already.
To help you out, I’ve painstakingly (I say that because every zine is a work of art) selected 10 of my current favorite pieces that I can’t stop reading. These zines were self-published by creatives from the Phoenix area, Tucson, and Bisbee.
I personally love zines that teach me something or use creative artistic elements to draw me in. If they also make me laugh or cry, that’s a win in my eyes. The zines below are educational, inspirational and personal, but they also help me feel less alone in the world:
“How to Host a Pickle Party,” by Jessie Balli, is an incredible mixed-media, hand-sewn zine about pickles and parties. Between pages made from paper lunch sacks, readers will find recipe cards for classic pickle brine and mild and spicy pickle spice, suggestions for gathering with friends, and safety tips about storing pickles. This zine is unique in its construction and encourages skill-sharing.
“The Sights & Sounds of 69!,” by SATURNHEX, is a zine featuring 10 risograph colors and a yellow coil binding. Its 63 pages give new meaning to old-time collaged cutouts from magazines spanning the 1940s to the 1980s that were not originally erotic or sexual. This zine is full of puns and is both visually beautiful and hilarious.
“Token of Gaiety,” by Charlie Pluto, is a black-and-white mini zine with drawn art and three handwritten prose poems about adolescent insecurities, what happiness feels like, and loving someone through mental health struggles. This perzine is a delicate invitation into Pluto’s queer world and a breath of positivity.
Learn more: IG @plut0s.emporium
“Surprise Zone of Interest: ‘We Are All Responsible for What Happens in Our Community,’” by Arizona Right Watch, is an informative article about the 418,400-square-foot industrial warehouse that the Department of Homeland Security plans to convert into a detention center in Surprise, Arizona. It is a deep dive into the building’s history, the scene at current Surprise City Council meetings, and the ways different communities are protesting the center.
Bluesky: @azrww.bsky.social
“17 Years of Pain,” by Kayla Shaggy, is a 24-page, black-and-white comic containing illustrations and a handwritten personal story about the author’s journey receiving diagnoses of adenomyosis and endometriosis. The story begins at age 13 and documents their experiences with medical staff, disbelief from friends and family, and the current state of health care in the United States. This zine also touches on gender identity and defines the diseases for readers.
“Greener,” by Angie Dell of Shut Eye Press, is an entire experience. To open the zine, readers must first cut the grass off the top of the green paper envelope. Inside is a colorful accordion zine with artwork and writing about the history of grass and lawns. The envelope also contains a felted grass piece scented with Heretic’s Dirty Grass perfume. The intentional design, informative text and collage art may leave readers feeling nostalgic and reflective about their relationship to grass lawns.
“Lessons I’ve Learned From Sewing,” by Staceart, is an informative zine with six practical lessons, along with photos, about pacing projects, overcoming perfectionism and finding satisfaction in the learning process. It includes references, an epilogue, a resource section and details about Stace’s favorite sewing projects. It is an inspirational, full-color zine with a machine-sewn binding.
“Testimony 4.5,” by Ryan Avery of Related Records, is a black-and-white zine containing screenshots of a text conversation between Ryan and their brother, George, about the movie “Heretic” and their experience growing up LDS. It offers a glimpse into their relationship and their perspectives on changes in the church and missions, including the use of online platforms to proselytize. It is a thought-provoking read.
“A Photographic Love Letter to Bisbee, Arizona,” by Sara Barber, is a full-bleed color zine with bright photos of recognizable spots in Bisbee. From the bulletin board outside the Copper Queen Public Library to murals on Main Street, this zine highlights the town’s distinctive spaces. It showcases European-style architecture against the desert landscape and may inspire readers to visit Bisbee themselves.
Learn more:
“Birds Aren’t Real? Or How to Make Friends and Influence People,” by Kay Rudnick, is a playful mini zine about Peter McIndoe’s satirical conspiracy theory that the government replaced birds with drones to spy on citizens. It reminds readers of the importance of fact-checking in a world filled with misinformation. The zine unfolds into a coloring page of a local gas station, prompting readers to decorate it with their favorite birds.
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