Ker-bloom! No. 30 : Head scars by Artnoose
Anarchist artnoose has engages in a home surgery project when she has a friend remove cysts from her head. She also explores economic disparities, how they can affect one's life and one's relationship. Her example for the former is when her grandparents' baby died because a couple from town could afford the hospital's incubator for their baby who was sick at the same time and for the latter, about how someone who can afford to travel and take time off from work can maintain a long-distance relationship, whereas someone who can't must make do with local action. The zine features a handset letterpress cover.
Other zines in our surger* collection include (but are not limited to)
Trans care : What to eat, supplements and herbs to prepare and heal around surgery by Jacoby Ballard
This black and white zine shares information on herbs, supplements and foods that aid in preparing for and recovering from gender-affirming surgeries. This work includes poetry and guidelines for friends of those who are transitioning.
Med-school mama : Surgery and psychiatry by Andrea Abrell
Med-school mama is a personal zine on balancing motherhood and medical school created by third year medical student Andrea Abrell. In this issue, Abrell is rotating through the surgery and psychiatry wards. This zine includes Abrell’s thoughts on three women in the psychiatry ward, one reason for her love of medicine, and a recipe for molasses ginger cookies.
55378008 by Cee Gee "We had them off for different reasons. This zine is about the choice to have top surgery, or double mastectomy without reconstruction. With contributions from Sy, Abriel Trudyjane, Lizzard Henry, and Kate Moon"--Creator's website, acccessed September 30, 2025.
"This zine intends to highlight the unburdening and gratitude that comes when human beings are empowered to more fully live their lives. Here's to casting off what stands in the way"--Page [1].
My pet growth by Lynn Lau
Lau's comic narrative is the story of a girl named Sabrina (based on a friend) who was going to have surgery to remove a benign growth on her neck. She reflects on her anxiety towards surgery and how she has become attached to the growth. The rare books copy is string bound.
Tick tock biological clock. #2 : (the sequel) by Jolie Nuñez-Noggle
In this 24-hour zine, 32-year-old Jolie writes that after being "anti-baby" for many years she is beginning to rethink starting a family. She shares her history of pregnancy scares, bad experiences caring for other people's children, a surgery that may prevent her from ever conceiving, and thoughts on having a discussion with her husband about having a child.
Tributaries by JC Parker
Issue 5 of this series details her early experiences driving. More specifically, Parker focuses on the significance of handicap stickers, detailing an experience competing with a woman over a handicap spot. This encounter is part of a reflection on what it means to have a disability and the discourse around being "visibly disabled." In issue six of Tributaries, jc is anxious about her upcoming hand surgery. She writes about wearing a brace, her doctor, and her fear fantasies in prose and lists.