Lucy Isadora & Justin Ransburg

Few things embody the DIY spirit of punk more than zines. Although not exclusive to the punk scene, zines are an intrinsic part of the genre’s history. Zines have played a significant role in various subcultures, providing access to information and an opportunity to build community for what might be niche interests.

Zines are self-written, -published, and -distributed "magazines” created by fans out of love and the desire to share. These publications have a narrow focus and can include literature, social commentary, news, music reviews, and articles that touch on everything from informational guides to fictional stories. This diverse range of expressions allows creators to explore their passions within the context of the punk scene in their own way. Punk zines embody everything the scene stands for: doing things yourself, keeping things low cost, reacting quickly to the changing nature of vibrant youth culture, and showing that the scene can be self-sufficient without the need for outsiders to keep it going.

Two pillars of the Jackson punk and zine scene are Lucy Isadora and Justin Ransburg. During the day, Isadora teaches middle school English. Outside of school, she is an accomplished zine creator and is a central organizer of punk shows and fundraisers in and around Jackson. She also sings in the band Big Clown and plays guitar in Hammer & the Tools.

Justin Ransburg is a visual artist who creates illustrations, comic books, murals, and mixed media artworks. Ransburg has created numerous murals in Jackson and statewide. His work is in the private collection of world renowned art collector Lester Marks, and has been featured alongside legendary funk musician George Clinton. In 2016, Ransburg co-founded the Jackson Drawing Club in an effort to bring artists together to share techniques, collaborate, and develop the mindset necessary to thrive as an artist.