Issue #1
Date: March 1995
Topic: general
Theme: no central theme; simply an introduction to the zine.
Number of printings: 3
Status: Sold-out by 1996
Approval Rating: 50%
Contents:
Far from its present state, this premire issue showed little promise of bigger and better things. The issue’s highlights include; a long, well-informed article on keeping goldfish as pets. There were also zine reviews(only two), an article on the re-ignighting of Punk, music reviews, and the very first “Video Store Oldies Review”(which is still an XYZed staple). The best article has to be contributor, Kelly Marie’s recipe for homemade potato chips. The zine was reprinted another two times, but no changes were made. Interestingly enough, a number of recent requests to reprint the issue have been made for collectibility reasons. No reprinting plans have thus far been made.
Collectibility notes: This issue is highly collectible no matter how you look at it. It sold out years ago. Other than the copies which exist in the XYZed archives, few are known to still exist. The response to this issue wasn’t good nor bad, so few actually saw the zine going places. Still, the rarest copies have to be the original printing which were distributed unstapled!
Issue #2
Date: June 1995
Topic: Sci-Fi/general
Theme:Dr. Who and other sci-fi
Number of printings: 3
Status: Sold-out by 1997
Approval rating: 80%
Contents:
This really was the issue that put XYZed on the zine map. The topic was a hot one: Dr. Who. Lots of research went into this overview of TV’s longest-running sci-fi series. The article featured each of seven doctors and a small bio on each of the actors who played the part. There’s other sci-fi news and trivia featured in the issue, a Sci-fi serial episode, and more zine, music, and movie reviews. Why Harpo Marx was featured on the front cover is a mystery for there wasn’t a Marx Bros. article in it(readers would have to wait till #12 for that). Sales for this issue more than doubled in total from the previous one.
Collectibility notes: Since no note was made regarding the second and third printing the only thing that gives this issue any value beyond its cover price is the fact that it sold out years ago, yet it is still a favorite among long-time readers.
Issue#2.5
Date: Sept. 1995
Topic: General
Theme: split issue/welcome to XYZed
Number of printings: 3(address change on third printing)
Status: Sold-out at unknown date(due to the fact that DS was also distributing copies)
Approval rating: 55%
Contents:
Often regarded as the “forgotten issue” because it was a split-issue with Diet Society#3.5, This half-issue was produced as a promotional piece, introducing readers to the zine. It was available free of charge at the Canzine and Zine Scene fairs for 1995. Highlights include; Cool Cartoons- Where Have They all Gone?, Zine and movie reviews(Escape From the Planet of the Apes, Better Off Dead), a recipe for blueberry crumble cake and a tricky trivia quiz(we really should bring that one back one day!).
Collectibility Notes: The first “test” printing of only a handful of copies- extremely rare!. Changes were made for the second printing for Slash Distro., and XYZed’s new address appeared on the mass-marketed third pressing by Deconstruction Distro.
Issue #3
Date: Nov. 1995
Topic: Superheros on film/B-movies
Theme: The video and film issue
Number of printings: 1
Status: a few copies left(Believe it or not!)
Approval Rating: 20%
Contents:
Great looking cover! Promising topics and themes! Higher quality photocopies! What went terribly wrong?! This issue has long been regarded as a black mark in XYZed’s history. The critical oppinion was unforgiving. Even the main article on superheros on film was written without XYZed’s trademark nitpicking of obscure facts. Instead, the issue takes a mainstream approach to the subject. Other articles include; an indepth review on the Canzine ‘95 festival, music and zine reviews, a recipe for scalloped potatoes, and the first ever Shot-on-Video review(Known then as Really B-Movies).
Collectibility notes: Since it has been years since its first and only printing, and there are still a small number of copies available, Issue #3 isn’t regarded as a collector’s item and probably never will be.
Issue #4
Date: Feb. 1996
Topic: Old video games/zines
Theme: general
Number of Printings: 1
Status: a few copies left
Approval Rating: 70%
Contents:
Slow off the starting gate, this issue has enjoyed a suprising amount of staying power thanks to an article on old home video game systems. The issue is still requested by readers. Not exactly a best seller or a classic, #4 nonetheless does have some interesting articles. Other articles include; The At-At Horror, More Really B-movies, and perhaps the the largest collection of zine reviews XYZed has ever assembled in one issue.
Collectibility notes: This issue has no collectible status.
Issue#5
Date: July 1996
Topic: Star Wars/other sci-fi
Theme: sci-fi
Number of Printings: 3(improvements on 3rd printing)
Status: Sold-out by 1998
Approval Rating: 85%
Contents:
A great seller mainly due to its timing. By 1996, Star Wars buzz was hitting a high level, so it was no suprise that this issue was such a success. Rather than give SW info that fans already know, this issue sought to bring out the forgotten aspects of the saga. The standout article has to be about the Star Wars Holiday Special(1978); a made-for-tv film which featured Chewbacca’s wookie family. The original cast appear in cameo roles and there was even an animated sequence which featured the very first appearance by the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett! The film has never been legally available on video, yet its legendary cult status has never faltered. Othe articles in issue 5 include reviews on sci-fi films such as Battlestar Galactica, and The Black Hole, and a Doctor Who update!
Collectibility notes: The third printing had some changes so the original printing was sold off to make way for the improved version. Since the issue is possibly the most requested back issue many articles were reprinted in issue#10(The best of XYZed) making no need for additional printings. Therefore, the original issue is highly collectible. Page 2