FACTSHEET FIVE #47
the Blab
FACTSHEET FIVE #48
the Blab
#29 April. Karl's trying to compile classic examples of general weirdness in the media. This is the Nuclear Winter issue with lots of funny cold-war era hysteria. Tons of good stuff is packed into these four pages including bomb shelters, fallout shelters, surviving nuclear attacks, and FEMA's office in mount Weather. I liked this issue better than the last one I saw. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #49
the Blab
FACTSHEET FIVE #50
the Blab
#31 Sept. '93. I'm finally starting to understand this 'zine. Karl compiles classic newsclips of general weirdness and disasters. Each issue has a different theme (like the July fireworks mishaps issue) and featuring a gathering of clips of similar disasters occurring in the past 20 years. After proposing to quit the "death and disaster" beat, he doesn't want to abandon all the work he's already put into compiling lightning accidents. I'm glad because this issue of freak accidents of lightning striking individuals is quite eye-opening and funny. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #51
the Blab
#33 January '94, A very different Blab with this issue (but aren't they all different?). Instead of strange newsclips, Karl presents the first part of his top movie list. Before you jump to the next review you should realize that this is more than just a list of titles. Covering only eight movies in four huge pages makes for some lengthy commentary. I'm really impressed with this package, not because I like the movies he picked (even thought I did) but because of the extent that he describes the films's cast, plot, style and analysis. Just a sampling: Bob Roberts, Kafka, Falling Down, and Monster in a Box. Recommended to all you film buffs. Usually Karl compiles classic newsclips of General weirdness and disasters. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #52
the Blab
#35 July '94. Karl compiles classic newsclips of general weirdness and unforeseen disasters. Each issue has a different theme gathering clips of similar disasters occurring in the past 20 years or so. This is Great! Its another Fourth of July issue with newsclips going back as early as 1936, reporting on unfortunate accidents with fire crackers and other assorted playthings. I like the one from 1988 about the cop car that was damaged by an M-80. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #53
the Blab
#36 September '94. Karl compiles classic newsclips of general weirdness and various themes from the past 20 years or so. He has devoted his back-to-school issue to the lack of sex education that most of us suffered because of school board censorship. Lots of news about what happens to people who are uninformed about basic sexuality. A 38-year-old woman gives birth though she had no idea she was pregnant; a 33-year-old man marries a 13-year-old with the full consent of her parents; and many pages of explanatory notes so everyone can catch up on what they missed. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #56
the Blab
#37 March '95. This is the long overdue Nuclear Winter issue which features a plethora pot newsclips exposing the history of nuclear weapons technology and how the whole industry has been responsible for thousands of deaths over the years. However, that's not the best part. You just gotta check out this amazing piece that Karl found on the Net. It's lengthy (and very funny) instructions for making an H-bomb at home. Perfect for a science student looking for alternative sources of income or a concerned family in need of greater home protection. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #57
the Blab
#38 May '95. I like the intro where Karl tells us about he started collecting weird newsclips. A 14-year-old kid has been hiding on airplanes and traveling around the world looking for the perfect wave; a crazy guy dumps some chemicals on the car of a guy he was having a fight with, but the toxic fumes killed him; and a teen graffiti clean-up crew accidentally cleaned up a 15,000-year-old cave painting in France. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #58
the Blab
#39 August '95. Karl shifted gears with this issue devoted it to one long interview. He met up with "Don" who seems to have done quite a bit in his life and has a lot to say. Don has a habit for attracting trouble, getting busted for a small amount of pot, and his lustful desires for underage girls. Certainly one of the more colorful characters. (RSF)
FACTSHEET FIVE #61
the Blab
#40 August '96. With every issue of the Blab Karl completely shifts gears and comes up with a brand new theme. This one is particularly noteworthy as it concerns a crucial topic of confusion. Many people are confused about Wicca/Pagan religions. Popular misconceptions [sic] think they are cultish Devil-worshipers who practice animal sacrifice and cast evil spells. Nothing could be further from the truth and thanks to Karl, people can now get a true picture of this misunderstood religion. This issue of the Blab features one long interview with a Wiccan who reveals the true nature of her beliefs and religious practice. She dispels the myths about Paganism, describes her form of religious practice, and details her many intriguing rituals. No trades/submissions wanted. Price:$1 + stamp. (6 pages/xerox/tabloid/ /RSF)
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FACTSHEET FIVE #62
the Blab
#41 July '97 It's the summertime and you know what that means? Time for another issue of the Blab and time for another issue of "The Fourth of July Massacre" issue of the Blab. Since 1989 Karl has been producing these weird news compendiums--each one has a different theme, but the July issue often covers Fourth of July fireworks mishaps. The best part is Karl's story of working as a technician for a big fireworks display--setting up the explosives, and lighting the fuses for the year's biggest show. Sounds like a dream job, eh? That's what I thought, until Karl described burying 4-foot pipes, weighting 20 lbs, in dense sandy soil with ineffective equipment, under the blazing sun. The rest of the issue is of course filled with wacky newsclips of horrible (and some not-so-horrible) accidental mishaps.
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