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End Paper 2025

Created: September 23, 2025
Last edit: October 1, 2025

I've been taking in a lot of information about zines recently. Videos, forums, web pages. As someone who's running out of wall space and is avoiding purchasing more plastic, I'd love to see more zines in the artist alleys of the cons I attend. I looked into attending some zine fests in my state, but the ones I found in a cursory search both happen on days I already have plans for (Asheville Zine Fest↗ is the same day as the Bookmarks Festival↗ and Queen City Zine Fest↗ is the same day as the Wooly Worm Festival↗).

Luckily, someone on the zines↗ subreddit brought End Paper↗ to my attention. Finally, an event I had an open day to attend.

I grabbed some cash (the best way to keep to a budget) and managed to show up only ten minutes later than my original ETA, thanks to Raleigh traffic being what it is. Located my friend, finished a no-buy first pass around the tables in both buildings, and took a stroll through some of the galleries to see what they've added and switched around.

Then it was back to the start to make Decisions.

And. Well. I stayed within my budget, despite the temptation to not.

I'll go through these clockwise, yeah?

Scarfff and Fancy Pants (print) from Kevin Curley↗

Man I miss the feel of a broadsheet. This is a vampire themed issue, if it wasn't obvious. The comics all fit into the box in my head called "underground comics", associated with a more punk underground scene, if that makes sense. I got the Fancy Pants print for when I finally make a men in suits section on my wall.

A Good Friend from Big baby small press (@bug_thoughts↗)

The second smallest size of zine I bought and I could not pass up the delightful illustration style and fun colors. It's about friendship (obviously), but also allowing yourself the same.

Milk & Honey issues 2 and 5 from Milk & Honey Comics↗

These issues compile short comics, excerpts from longer comics, and interviews. It's a good mix of artists working in different styles and I should really go through and follow the folks who really caught my attention.

Peep Stoner by Barrett Stanley↗

This comic is thick enough I was surprised it's bound by staples. It's histrical fantasy, it's queer, I love the style - I had to have it. It's the first one of my haul that I sat down to read.

Just Vibin' at The Roost, Still Vibin' at The Roost, and Paroxysm volume 1 from MystoPress↗

Two one-page fanzines and a horror anthology, all very much my taste. The Roost zines are drawings of and coffee orders for each of the artist's villagers - perfect for the limited size of the zines. The horror anothology is a good balance of illustration and stories and I hope to slowly collect the next volumes when I stumble across them again.

End Paper 2025 pamphlet

I am once again begging folks to list their websites. I understand why you list your Instagram handle but please, I want to see your work on a decently sized screen. I had to dig up most of these links myself and I know I am biased. Breakdown for Sunday exhibitors: 27 list Instagram, 11 list website, 8 list both, 1 lists email and 1 nothing at all.

Convenience Story by Yumeng Fu↗

A collection of super charming illustrations and snatches of story. Immediately taken by the illustration of a girl with a bouquet of charms hanging from her phone. (Also I miss the convenience stores of Japan.)