In a world dominated by digital media, there’s something undeniably powerful about holding a handmade zine—tangible, raw, and deeply personal. More than just ink on paper, zines are a statement, a rebellion, and a community all at once. They thrive in DIY spaces, where creativity isn’t filtered through corporate lenses but shaped by passion and purpose. To the Beat its a fantastic opportunity to connect with the independent artist scene, and that’s why we had to make sure we didn’t miss South Bay Zine Fest.
Illusion Hall is a small, inconspicuous event venue nestled in Chula Vista’s historic Third Avenue. Typically used for quinceañeras and DJ events, this time, it served as the venue for the first-ever South Bay Zine Fest.
Maxwell Scheller had both the time and the money, so he decided to organize the event and rent out the space.
I’ve volunteered at other cons before, and I figured I could do something like this myself—maybe even do it better. So I paid for the venue, and the turnout has been great. People are here for the art, and that means a lot to me.
More than 20 artists filled the hall, and despite the limited space, SZF managed to host panels discussing the ins and outs of zine culture. One panel that stood out was Making Zines Punk Again, featuring Andi Dukleth, Attiba Royster, and Emily Rocha. All three are local artists—Royster is currently assembling commissions for a vampire anthology, while Dukleth and Rocha are part of Accidental Aliens, a San Diego-based comic studio. They had plenty to say on the topic.
They spoke about how today’s youth are drawn to movements like these, whether by participating directly or simply showing up to support local artists. They emphasized that punk never dies—it just evolves. The core spirit remains the same.
Rocha stressed how vital these kinds of events are:
“The more it expands, the more accessible it becomes to everyone.”
Royster made an important point about the nature of zines:
“Zines can be well-polished or DIY—at the end of the day, they can be whatever you want them to be.”
They explained that what makes a zine art isn’t the quality of the materials but the effort, sweat, and passion poured into it. Whether it’s printed on cheap paper or top-of-the-line stock, what matters is that it’s insular and personal—that’s what makes others understand its importance.
Royster closed on a powerful note:
“I love giving that validation—saying, ‘Do you want to be part of this project?’ to other artists. Letting them know: We see you.”
The panelists all agreed that supporting local artists goes beyond sharing their work. Engaging with their art—whether through social media or other platforms—lets the world know they are here and waiting to be seen.
Walking the event floor, it was impossible to ignore the spirit of the festival, radiating from every artist’s booth. One table focused on mental health awareness and Calico Critters. Another brought attention to Mexican farmworkers and the misunderstandings brought up on them in light of current events. And there was so much more.
Comics also had their place at the event. One standout was Cosmic Cola by local artist Logan Monroe. An independent title, its story draws from Monroe’s experiences in the food industry. With vibrant stickers, prints, and zines, it was clear this project was made with love and creativity.
Rachel Dukes, another local and published artist, showcased a variety of their work, including a large Risograph print from The Wizerd and had their own titles like Frankie Comics, the latter inspired by their love for cats. Their art is so kind and fantastic—it’s easy to get lost in it. Their Risograph prints, in particular, were breathtaking, packed with detail and bursts of color.
Next to Dukes was Andrew Greenstone, a seasoned comic artist known for their work on Sid the Cat Magazine, Rust Belt Review, and Star Wars from Memory, their own zine series. Greenstone was incredible to talk to, explaining their work on Sid the Cat, the thought process behind Star Wars from Memory, and their distinctive, raw, and vivid art style. I couldn’t put their magazine down.
Another standout was at the table next to them—Jesse Walker, presenting their first-ever comic, Chonku Town.
Chonku Town is a hyperviolent crime romp about a frog who does whippets and karate. In short, it’s an absolutely insane read. In other words, it’s fantastic—exactly the kind of project that thrives in the zine scene. It’s written by Walker and Greenstone, with art by Mars Gearhart, and edited by Greenstone and Dukes, with production handled by Mixtape Comics. A diamond in this proverbial punk rough.
That was something I had to mention to them all. With Sid the Cat, The Wizerd/Frankie Comics, and Chonku Town—projects that, in my opinion, could do well on Kickstarter with the sheer amount of work put into them—I had to ask: why come to small events like zine fests?
Greenstone said it the best:
“Chonku Town just came out, and Sid the Cat #3 is on the way! To move books, you have to be willing to go anywhere. Without shows like this, it would make it impossible to compete.”
The sentiment was shared throughout the hall. As someone who has worked in the crowdfunding space for the past three years, it’s hard not to feel the same. Seeing artists pour their souls into projects—not just to create, but to build awareness of world events and local issues—was a stark reminder that even the biggest names in comics today, from Dan Mora to Daniel Warren Johnson to Fiona Staples, once stood in their own proverbial artist alleys.
The Illusion Hall is a small venue, and with a whole row of artists, it felt even more packed. The hall’s capacity is only 300 people, and Scheller initially had doubts about attendance. He was just happy to provide the space.
South Bay Zine Fest welcomed over 180 attendees.
And that’s the heart of it. Spaces like these matter. They create opportunities, foster connections, and remind us that art—no matter how big or small—always has a place.
With such an emphasis on Southbay Zine Fest we would be remiss not to mention L.A. Zine fest! Taking place today Saturday March 1st to Sunday March 2nd from 11am-5pm. While SBZF was a first for San Diego, L.A. Zine Fest brings together Southern California zinesters at The Broad’s East West Bank Plaza to celebrate independent publishing and the D.I.Y. spirit. Attendees can explore a diverse range of zines covering politics, personal narratives, photography, fine art, and graphic design while engaging with exhibitors.
The two-day event offers hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and access to The Broad’s galleries. Presented alongside Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature, the festival highlights how zines continue Beuys’s legacy of accessible, grassroots art, empowering activists, punks, LGBTQ+ creators, poets, and anyone with a printer to share their voices and ideas. All completely for free.
If you’re in the area and love independent artists you do not want to miss this city wide event!
