reviewed by Richard Luck

Published in Issue No. 12 ~ May, 1998

Touted as a “site for grownups who don’t want to be,” this quirky little zine is edited by the proliferous Grace and Tree, whom seem to have their fingers into about half-a-dozen zines on the Net.

Dedicated to childhood and it’s tasty pastimes, Pop!sicle accepts submissions of “short stories, anecdotes, top ten lists, and other quirky forms of expression that relate to childhood, growing pains, and all things child-like.” Notice: they didn’t say childish – though they probably should have.

I’m sorry, but I found the contents a bit too sweet and sticky. Articles with titles like: “E E E W! Confessions of a Lunchroom Reject,” “Ten Gross Things Grace Did As a Kid,” and “An Ode to Roller Skates,” assail you. The current issue is like bad re-run of that game codgers like to play in the old folks home: “Remember When?” The editors wax nostalgic on everything under the sun, from moving to a new school and best friends, to a little ditty (I’m not sure what to call it) called “Brainfreeze,” which is an all too lengthy flashback on RocketBombs, Fudgsicles, Twirly Tops, and other frozen delights. A flashback that, though probably conceived of as erudite and hip when done, came off as being nothing more than an exercise in cutsie.

This is one zine that should probably melt away.

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Richard Luck is the Founder and Technical Director for Pif Magazine.