As regular readers will be aware the Colossive Press Colossive Cartographies series gives creators from a vast range of disciplines an opportunity to present their practice to both established and newer audiences. Some of that is comics, some of it is most certainly not. Colossive Cartographies #57 fits into the latter category. But in the spirit of completeness, and as representational of Broken Frontier’s wider interest in all things zine and DIY culture, the topical ‘In a Rage’ by Beatty Hallas is still a most fitting candidate for coverage on this site.
‘In a Rage’ acts as a kind of self-help version of for this fold-out series; one that looks to provide strategies to cope within a world that can increasingly anger and dismay us. Hallas communicates this in a twofold way. On the main canvas space of the zine are short pieces of advice about dealing with confrontation, anger and accompanying stress. Much of this is conveyed in easily digested soundbites – “Count Step Back Breathe Smile”; “Offer empathy and consolation”; “Give space if you’re not helping.” Advisory statements that embody brevity but not superficiality, giving plenty to think about as a result. Arranged intuitively in calming pastel colours they invite the reader to focus and contemplate on their message at their own leisure.
In the folds of the zine Hallas expands on the themes of the main page with longer explorations and applications of those thoughts, with direct, real world examples. It may not be comics but ‘In a Rage’ is another fine example of the thought-provoking Colossive Cartographies range and one that is more relevant now than ever.
Beatty Hallas (W/A) • Colossive Press, £2.00
Review by Andy Oliver
